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Analysis
I guarantee I’m not trying to be harsh when I suggest Sacha Boisvert matches the Don Sweeney ouvre. I’ve already made a joke about this peculiar habit of his years ago.
But Sacha Boisvert is undoubtedly is the kind of person Don Sweeney chooses at least once per draft: a player from the USHL who is either committed to an NCAA school in the Tri-State area or the Midwest. ECAC and NCHC are positive. Boisvert hits all the marks in that regard: he’s over 6-foot, he’s a Muskegon Lumberjack, and he’s going to the University of North Dakota in the fall. If you were to be unduly critical about how the B’s scouts hand over their work…this is the one to be about.
The good thing is, if they do end up acquiring Boisvert…he’s still really excellent.
The Quebec-born center is an offensive force multiplier; his skating is strong like most players in this draft (seriously, I’ve seen like maybe two or three players total who’ve been dinged for it and they have skills that nearly counteract it), but his toolset in the offense-side of the game is what makes him truly dangerous. His hand-eye is exceptional; allowing him to produce silky smooth passes with ease; be they in-tight with a goalie, off the wall, or even odd-angle drop passes. Combining that with his strong speed, he’s made a fool out of lots of players through the use of a rapid toe drag and his stickhandling.
But don’t simply assume he’s all passing and assists, although some of his best clips contain them; Boisvert is a deadly goalscorer. That hand-eye and stick skill translates to a powerful shot that he can blast out from just about anywhere, or put a goalie in a REAL tight bind in-tight for a strong shot.
But, if there’s anything that Boisvert has to focus on, it is his defense. Boisvert tries hard in the defensive zone, he’s willing to put in the effort in the corners and is willing to throw a hit (hell he’s willing to throw down if push comes to shove), but his ability to read an offense coming at him is still pretty raw, and he can get caught flat-footed at inopportune times while on the backcheck, or caught puckwatching. This is very standard for prospects at this level, and they normally learn these skills and the timing necessary to shut lanes down during their stay in college, but it will require clubs to be patient with him.
Further, is the application of his physique. He’s a perfectly physical guy, don’t get me wrong! He understands he’s 6’2 and is willing to use it, but in a lot of board fights he chooses to hunt for puck possession rather than separate players with hits, and I think that’s linked to the divide in how scouts evaluate his compete level. He is totally competitive; he’s just not smashing men around in a frenzied race for the puck, and as such it can look like he’s just floating in space when he’s just trying to find an opening to attack the puck itself rather than the carrier.
As one final note, Boisvert isn’t exactly flawless at the faceoff dot; hovering more on the 49% side of 50% than preferred. He’s not bad, and this is something that additional development tends to figure out, but it’s a work in progress.
Boisvert as a prospect is a little aggravating; he’s got the foundation level tools to be something amazing, but those tiny nuances may end up catching him if he can’t alter them while he’s in UND. Given UND’s perennial open invite to the NCAA Tournament, I don’t see how he won’t find these talents if he wants to keep his ice time; it’s simply a matter of being patient with him.
If you allow him the time to grow, he’s got the makings of an amazing top 6 player. You just have to give him that time regardless.
Rankings 21st by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
22nd by TSN’s Bob McKenzie
25th by TSN’s Craig Button
32nd by THN’s Tony Ferrari
28th by McKeen’s Hockey
22nd by FloHockey
26th by FC Hockey
25th by Daily Faceoff 16th by NHL Central Scouting among North Americans
18th by DraftPro Hockey 21st by Sportsnet’s Cosentino
25th by DobberProspects
33th by Smaht Scouting
