Why top NHL prospect Caleb Desnoyers is being compared to Selke winners

Advanced precision, awareness, challenging defenders -- these are just a few of the qualities that top prospect Caleb Desnoyers is being praised for by NHL scouts.

At just 18 years old, Desnoyers already has some hardware to show for his talent: World Junior Championship gold at both the U17 and U18 levels, a QMJHL championship with the Moncton Wildcats, and the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP to name a few.

In his second season in Moncton this year, Desnoyers exploded for 35 goals and 49 assists in just 56 games played. He followed that up with 30 points in 19 playoff games en route to the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as league champions.

Although his offensive abilities have proven to be elite, his play away from the puck and in defensive situations is what sets Desnoyers apart from the other centers of this draft class.

Responsible, effective play with and without the puck

TSLH describes Desnoyers as a "workhorse" that is constantly playing at 100 percent effort. He is a skater that finishes his checks, rushes back to defend in his own zone, and battles hard along the boards or in the corners.

At 6'1" and 174 lb, Desnoyers still has a ways to go in bulking up, but he has a sturdy frame that he uses to challenge puck carriers and force changes in possession. He is also strong when holding the puck himself, using his long stride to out-pace the defenders pursuing him, and he is oftentimes able to shake them off with that combination of speed and strength.

His assets lie less in his pure shooting ability, and more in his talent for making the smart choice at the right time. Whether it's a quick wrister or a cross-ice pass, Desnoyers is intentional with his decisions and can always find an open lane to generate a scoring chance.

Not only is Desnoyers a talented playmaker, but he is an all-situation skater that can handle the puck with poise in all three zones. FC Hockey touted his transition game as one of his biggest upsides and praised his solid positioning, which helps him create zone exits and generate offensive rushes.

"I watch what players are doing when they don't have the puck ... the details, where they are, how they react, where are they placing their bodies to be in good position to get the puck back."

Caleb Desnoyers (via NHL.com)

Desnoyers also brings an interesting attitude to the ice, never afraid to mix it up between whistles or get under his opponent's skin. He is a passionate player that is well-liked by teammates, called "the ultimate team-guy" by TSLH. That quality can't be taught, and gives an optimistic outlook on how he would fit on an NHL roster.

The next Patrice Bergeron or Jonathan Toews?

NHL.com's senior writer Mike Morreale has discovered some NHL comparisons that should turn some heads regarding the type of play Desnoyers employs. Particularly, in Morreale's conversation with NHL senior scout Jean-Francois Damphousse, two of the greatest modern centers were brought up as pro-level parallels.

"I mean, he could be that Patrice Bergeron or Jonathan Toews-type player where he can be used anywhere in the lineup, produce offense, but also be very effective in shutting down opponents," Damphousse said.

Those are big shoes to fill, with Bergeron retiring as a five-time Selke Trophy winner for the NHL's best defensive forward and Toews winning the trophy once too. Both of those players accomplished exactly what Desnoyers described as one of his goals: do the right thing away from the puck.

Bergeron and Toews were hallmark two-way centers with the ability to score at clutch times while also making the momentum-changing plays on the back end. Both were longstanding NHL captains, and Toews won a Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 2010 alongside his three Stanley Cup rings.

Desnoyers will already be experiencing the leadership that comes with captaincy, as he is set to take on that role with the Wildcats for the 2025-26 season. That would indicate he's going to spend at least one more year in juniors before making the transition to the NHL.

"I won't force anything, but when I'm ready I'll be at the place where I can play in the NHL the year after," Desnoyers told Morreale. "If Moncton is the best option, I'll go back to Moncton."