Analyzing the Golden Knights Future Stars

#1: Brendan Brisson, C, University of Michigan

Brendan Brisson. The Future Max Pacioretty- literally.

Age: 20

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 185 lbs.

Shoots: Left

Drafted: Drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 1st Round of the 2020 NHL Draft

Breakdown

Brendan Brisson is currently a wing for the University of Michigan and the growth he has had as a player there is incredible. However, the one thing that stands out with Brisson is the similarities in his game to former Wolverine, and current Golden Knight, Max Pacioretty.

Brisson who currently plays the wing with former second-overall pick by the Seattle Kraken, Matthew Beniers. Furthermore, he also was on a line with fifth overall pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Kent Johnson. Between playing with those two, scoring was pretty easy for him.

Brisson is currently playing for team USA in the Olympics and is playing pretty well. He has played in three games and has two goals. Which, as you can tell, is a small sample size. But the fact that he is scoring is promising.

But, let’s talk about the player we have in Brendan Brisson and why I feel he should be compared to Max Pacioretty.

Brisson is a average skater in terms of speed, but the style in which he plays doesn’t need speed. Therefore, as far as I’m concerned it’s obsolete. Now, I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a Michigan fan. But the way I chose to look at it is the fact that I know his game pretty well.

Brisson, even though he isn’t necessarily the best skater on the ice and doesn’t have a big frame to him, he plays a great offensive game. With a one-timer that just pops off the screen, a great wrist shot, a terrific snap shot, the ability to find angles and direct the puck using misinterpretations with the angles.

With that shot that he’s known for it makes him a huge PP1 threat that need’s to be watched. Once again with his one-timer being top tier, he has to be watched at all times.

The one thing that need’s to be worked on the most is his tendency to try and be too fancy at points. There were times during games that he’d try to do too much or make a unnecessary play that led to a breakaway or having to start a breakup again.

The talent is there and he has a natural act for scoring, but he will more than likely need a year in the AHL to fine tune some of his tendencies before getting a shot in the NHL with the Golden Knights.