BlueJackets.com is running feature stories profiling the top nine players in our consensus poll for the upcoming NHL Draft, which is scheduled to begin Friday, July 23. Columbus will select fifth overall in the draft with the chance to add a high-level player -- likely from this group -- to the organization.
Dylan Guenther has no shortage of inspirations when it comes to the type of player he wants to be in the NHL.
The standout forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings -- who placed sixth in our consensus poll of the top draft picks available in the upcoming draft -- has a laundry list of players he watches when it comes to improving his game.
NHL Draft profile: Dylan Guenther
High-scoring forward blends ability to both finish and set up teammates
"I love watching a ton of players," he said. "I think my favorite player growing up was Sidney Crosby. I love Crosby's compete level and his hockey IQ. Although he does think the game super fast and has a ton of good skills, I think his compete level is really outstanding, and I think that's something young kids can look at is how hard a guy like that works.
"I definitely watch a ton of different players. I think guys like (Auston) Matthews and (David) Pastrnak, when I'm looking at their shooting tendencies and what they do, I'd like to implement into my shot either at practice or on my own time.
"Positionally, I think Kyle Conner, I watch him a lot, too. I think we have a similar frame and he plays with a lot of speed and is able to open up a lot of time and space for his teammates to create offense when he's on the ice with his evasiveness and his deception with skating so I think he's a fun guy to watch, too."
Time will tell whether Guenther reaches that upper echelon of NHL stars, but it's clear he's a student of the game with the talent to match.
He's just the latest offensive standout to come from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, following in the footsteps of CBJ draft pick Trey Fix-Wolansky, the 2019 WHL Eastern Conference MVP, and Jake Neighbours, a 2020 first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues.
Guenther -- who is rated the No. 5 American skater by the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau in its final rankings -- made his debut in the WHL with a standout season in 2019-20, posting 26 goals and 59 points in 56 games while playing most of the season at age 16.
This past year, he was only able to play 12 games because of the pandemic, but his offensive bona fides were obvious, as he posted a 12-12-24 line in that span and was plus-19.
His even goal and assist totals speak to a player who is equally adept at shooting the puck and distributing it, something he says is a focus of his game.
"I think both," he said when asked if he's more comfortable initiating the offense with the puck or without. "I think being a guy who creates offense - and that's really the strength of my game - I think it's important to be able to do both. I think if I'm getting shot off or I'm shooting, being able to find open ice is a huge part of that, kind of timing when the pass is going to come and when you're going to be in a good spot to be available.
"I think when the puck is on my stick, I'm obviously a threat to shoot and score still, but you can also make plays from that, which is a big part of my game, I think."
Guenther only got to play so many games during the pandemic - rinks shutting down because of the virus around the holidays didn't help - but he still kept a strong work ethic and found ways to improve his game. That showed with his results for the Oil Kings and on Team Canada's gold medal-winning team in the World Under-18 Championships, where he posted seven points in seven games.
Guenther called that an "unreal experience," but he's earned it through his play coming up through the ranks. Any team taking the Edmonton native would be getting someone who can score and thinks the game well.
"I think hockey IQ and scoring really go hand in hand," he said. "I feel like I'm able to time the plays and read them ahead of time so I know the position I need to be in to be able to get my shot off and to be in a scoring area. Being able to read what's going to happen and know that your teammates are going to do their job really helps with that."
What they're saying
Draft Prospects Hockey draft guide:
"A skilled right shot power winger who also plays center, a real swiss army knife type of player. While offense is his bread and butter, his game has so many more layers than that. … His shot is a weapon, the release and accuracy are outstanding, only the velocity could use work. Vision is very strong, and he displays the ability to make excellent passes. He impresses with how hard he worked in all zones. ... Finished his checks when needed and doesn't shy away from the dirty areas. Physically engages in board battles but will still need to get stronger. Processes the play quickly and makes smart decisions."
HockeyProspect.com Black Book:
"Dylan Guenther is a multi-dimensional scoring threat, who has one of the most complete games out of the available wingers in this class. There are a lot of prospects in this draft, even high end ones, that have red flags that could see them not making it at all, let alone have their roles reduced when hitting the professional level. Yet, we don't think that statement applies to Dylan."
Chris Peters, Hockey Sense:
"Guenther has high-end hand skills with an excellent shot, accurate, crisp passing and good one-on-one skills to make plays and open things up for himself or his linemates. ... Guenther is one of the most offensively gifted players in this draft, so I think he could be more of a driver if needed, it's just not what his role dictated. Without seeing that enough, though, I hedge on his upside just a little bit. Guenther skates well, has a frame to grow into and his hockey sense and hands are high end compared to a lot of this class."
