My concern with Rossi is how much of his game is predicated on holding onto the puck and setting up down low in the zone. I know he is built pretty solid for being a smaller guy, but I have questions on how well that type of game will translate when you are not a plus skater and you don't have much as far as reach is concerned.
It's interesting how many people in his top 10-15 he labeled as average skaters (something I've thought too). I wonder if that will push teams towards Stutzle and Drysdale on draft day even more.
The skating thing has always been a sticking point with scouting reports in my mind.
Lafreniere - skating has improved to where there is no noticeable weakness in his game
Byfield - very good skater
Stutzle - very good skater
Rossi - skating is very good. not the quickest small player, but powerful stride
Holtz - skating is above average
Raymond - average foot speed given his size
Drysdale - one of the best skaters in the draft
Perfetti - just fine skating. lacks explosive speed
The analysis feels sparce and the words just feel lazily chosen. There are quite a few ways to break down the skating tool in players, from mechanics, to acceleration/explosiveness, to top end speed (which I think pairs with the ability to being able to play at that speed; eg. McDavid vs Helm), and of course the agility and edge work. I don't think that Perfetti will ever be in the fastest skater competition, but his edges are very strong and lend themselves very well to the game he plays. I have never watched Raymond skate and viewed his speed as "average" and that absolutely is not the word I would choose for his complete skating tool. I have definitely not seen much of any difference between his skating and Rossi's. Again, the wording seems weird...to describe Rossi's skating using the same "category" as what was chosen for Byfield and Stutzle.