Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 10 prospects entering 2019
2. Calen Addison
Acquired: 2018 second-round pick
Age: 19
Position: Defense
Stats: 67 games, 11 goals, 54 assists, 65 points, 7 postseason games, 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL)
Calen Addison is a modern defenseman. He’s not big, as he’s just 5’11”. Nor will Addison be prone to dishing out bone-crushing hits. However, he’s very skilled and mobile. Addison is coming off two consecutive 65 point seasons, averaging a shade under a point per game as a defenseman. That’s pretty impressive.
Addison excels in transition, as he’s good at getting the puck up the ice quickly. He makes quick decisions in the defensive zone. But at the same time, if there’s an opening for him to take the puck up the ice himself, he’s not afraid to do it. That kind of fearlessness should serve Addison well.
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He still has to work on his defense because he’ll have to rely on his stick rather than his size to create turnovers. Like many skilled defensemen, Addison also has the tendency to hang onto the puck a bit too much. But that’s something that tends to improve with age.
Addison should be the top defenseman for the Hurricanes next season, which will help his two-way game improve. His ceiling is quite high, as I could see him being a top-four defenseman.