What I Like
Stick-handling ability
Mismash has great one-on-one stickhandling ability. He’s not likely to beat a defender with his speed, but he’s got really quick hands that can help him move a puck through a defender. This makes him effective on zone entries and can help him create opportunities in heavy traffic situations.
Effective in front of the net
A perpetual source of frustration for me this past season was the NTDP’s insistence on using Mismash in the high slot or point on their power play. Mismash does have a very good shot, but I feel like he could incredibly effective working down low in front of the net. He’s not huge, but he’s a strong and solidly built which allows him to gain position, and his great hands allow him to make quick plays in tight spaces. I think that is where he’ll be best able to use his offensive skills going forward.
What I Don’t Like
Zone-to-zone player
As mentioned above, Mismash’s skating is passable, but not elite. He’s much more effective once play is established inside a zone rather than a more up-and-down style game. He’s decent off the rush when he can use his hands to create an angle to get off his heavy snap shot, but he’s much more effective when his team can set up on the cycle in the offensive zone.
Doesn’t create
Mismash is more of a finisher than a player that creates opportunities for his teammates. That’s not necessarily a huge negative because teams need players that can finish off opportunities, but it also means he needs to be paired with players that can do the dirty work and get him the puck in good situations, and means he can be a bit inconsistent at times.
