Calen Addison was chosen second overall in the 2015 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and has since lived up to the lofty expectations as an upper-echelon junior player thanks to his fluid skating game and ability to create offense.
A gritty yet smallish offensive-minded rearguard, Addison can get to top speed rather quickly, backing off defenders as he works to gain the zone and set up the even strength attack. The skating is a pleasure to witness as his foundational element, but he truly becomes an offensive difference-maker by packaging in excellent vision and anticipation skills.
A power-play stalwart, Addison racked up 35 power-play assists as part of his 11-goal, 65-point campaign. He took it up a level in the playoffs, sparking the Lethbridge attack from the back end to the tune of seven goals and 19 points in the Hurricanes' 16-game run to the WHL Eastern Conference Final.
One of several high-end defensive prospects considered to be undersized by traditional NHL standards, Addison has shown that he can play bigger than his frame suggests by initiating contact and not backing down when locked into a one-on-one battle with a larger, and presumably stronger opponent. He's quick in his pursuit of loose pucks and his positioning is sound despite being one who is seemingly always on the move.
He's very active with his stick to help counter the relative physical shortcomings. Still, his overall defensive game will need to continue down the maturation process with a healthy dose of the American Hockey League before he's ready to assume a role on a major-league blue line.
Addison has the potential to be a primary offensive catalyst at the NHL level, especially if paired with a natural defender that will have his back and help cover mistakes. While continuing to be a student of defensive-zone nuances, Addison's ability to achieve his ceiling will be aided by him delivering on his strength and conditioning agenda over the next few years so he doesn't get overpowered when matched up with the world's best.
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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).
