Dach, Cozens, and Krebs are all quick skaters. I see why they are all considered top prospects.
Cozens is a fairly powerful skater who loves to have the puck on his stick. He's a 6'3'', two-way center with grit and vision. He showed flashes of individual brilliance today and has tried to drive wide to the net a few times. Some think he has a chance to challenge for a Top 3 position. He has been one of Team Canada's preferred penalty killers.
Kirby Dach is a very upright skater -- he's 6'3'' as well, and is powerful on his skates, good on his edges, and should be considered a playmaker. However, he has excellent net-front presence and almost scored twice today by batting the puck from mid-air; both goals were disallowed due to his stick being over the cross bar. He has good speed for hi size, and is somewhat of a cross between Michael Rasmussen and Cody Glass. Like Glass, he knows how to put himself between the opponent and the puck in order to steal pucks and create havoc on the forecheck. That said, he is so much stronger than Glass. He isn't a power forward; he's more of a Joe Thornton type than the similarly-tall Cozens. So far in the tournament, Dach has centered the top line with Krebs and Lafreniere on his wings.
Peyton Krebs, on the other hand, is a smaller player. He stands at 5'11''. His game has more of an east-west component, although he can wheel up the ice with good speed. He's a good forechecker with creativity, a good wrist shot, and playmaking ability. He tried a few no-look passes from the boards and seems very spatially-aware.
Alexis Lafreniere will be an exciting player to keep an eye on next year. He has grit, good strength, and a quick stick to hound the puck. He has good straight-line speed, but isn't a really dominant puck rusher. Rather, he uses his one-on-one stick skills to hang on to the puck amidst the opposition's attempt to steal the puck away. For that reason, he picks up loose pucks around the crease and in the slot very well, and knows where to be to retrieve loose pucks around the offensive zone. He shows lots of poise, and has a pretty snappy wrist shot as well as a tendency to try creative passes. He had a nifty between-the-legs shot attempt tonight while in the crease.
Justin Barron is a name to watch for the 2020 draft too. He is an electric offensive defenseman who loves to carry the puck up.
