Every now and then a player shows signs at a young age of a future elite-level thinker and performer at both ends of the ice. Barrett Hayton, a leader who can help his team fill the net while embracing a shutdown role against the opposition's best forwards, immediately jumps out as a reliable, responsible forward whose hard work and attention to detail will make him a desirable commodity once the draft heats up.
Describing Hayton's approach to the game probably sounds a little bit like annual Selke Trophy candidate and Boston Bruins top-line anchor, Patrice Bergeron. It's easy to align Hayton with that type of performer given his complete 200-foot commitment, physical engagement, faceoff acumen, and keen playmaking sense.
Hayton isn't the fastest player on the ice, and his skating is an area that will undoubtedly need to improve moving forward, but he thinks and plays fast with limited unforced errors and has an ability to get behind the defense and control the puck down low.
Hayton was insulated this past season in a loaded Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds lineup, but still played a significant middle-line role on one of the top teams in Canadian junior hockey, amassing 21 goals and 60 points in 63 regular-season contests. When bumped into top-line duty due to injury and international absences, Hayton asserted himself in a major way to cement his status as top-15 draft talent.
Hayton produced equally compelling results given his role in the 2018 playoffs, scoring eight times for 21 points in 24 contests as the Hounds captured the Western Conference title before falling to Hamilton in the 2018 Rogers OHL Championship series.
The next steps for Hayton likely see him go back for at least one more season of junior, where he'll work to increase his strength and acceleration, get elevated into a top-line role, and take a run at competing for Team Canada at the 2019 World Junior tourney.
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For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
