Zayne Parekh kicked off the 2024 NHL Draft season as a bit of a puzzle for scouts and fans alike. However, as the season unfolded, he quickly won over hearts with his on-ice performance and evident defensive improvements.
Putting up an impressive 96 points in 66 games with the Saginaw Spirits in the OHL, including a whopping 33 goals, Parekh’s offensive game is nothing short of impressive. But the big question mark always hovered around his defensive play. It might not be his strongest suit right now, but knowing Parekh, he strikes me as someone who’s smart and willing to put in the work to shore up any weaknesses.
Let’s talk about his numbers – they’re off the charts. Leading all draft-eligible players in the OHL, including forwards, in points is no small feat. Plus, he’s the highest-scoring defenseman in their draft year in the last 25 years in the league. And when it comes to points per game during that same period, he’s only behind Ryan Ellis. That’s better than some big names like Bouchard, DeAngelo, Hamilton, Drysdale – the list goes on. And let’s not forget about his 33 goals, sitting pretty at the top for defensemen over that same span.
What’s even more intriguing is that Parekh isn’t just about offense. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 181 pounds, he’s got the size and skating ability to hold his own in all aspects of the game. With those tools in his arsenal, Parekh’s got all the makings of something special – a player to keep your eyes on as the draft approaches.
Facts
| Age: 18 | Height: 6’0″ |
| Date of Birth: February 15 2006 | Weight: 181 lbs |
| Origin: Canada | Position: RD |
| Projection: Top 5/10 | Shoots: Right |
Skill Grades
Statistics
Skating
When it comes to evaluating Zayne Parekh’s skating, there’s often a wide range of opinions, and I believe it boils down to how different people weigh maneuverability versus speed. In my view, both aspects are equally crucial but serve different purposes on the ice.
Agility, for instance, can provide a player with a significant advantage when navigating through tight spaces or evading opponents. Quick turns and cuts can open up opportunities or create gaps in the defense, while subtle fakes can mislead opposing players. Conversely, speed is essential for setting the pace of the game, exploiting openings in coverage, creating separation, and being first on the puck.
In Parekh’s case, he possesses a remarkably fluid and elusive stride, although he may not be the fastest skater moving forward. While his speed may be slightly above average, it might not be a standout attribute at the NHL level. However, his maneuverability and overall fluidity are undoubtedly assets. His ability to navigate the neutral zone with unpredictable routes during breakouts keeps opponents guessing. Instead of taking what’s given, Parekh seizes opportunities that opponents didn’t even realize were there.
His fluidity extends to his pivoting and backward skating as well. He maintains a tight gap on attackers and isn’t easily beaten on the wing. What’s particularly striking is his ability to pivot and recover swiftly from stretch passes down the middle, often catching attackers off guard with his speed and agility.
Yet, one aspect of Parekh’s game that stands out is his nonchalant demeanor. Whether attacking or defending, he exudes a sense of calmness that some may misinterpret as a lack of drive. However, this nonchalance seems ingrained in his playing style, evident across all facets of his game. Parekh consistently appears to operate at around 10% drive. But I don’t believe it’s a lack of effort; rather, the game seems to come naturally to him.
This ease with which Parekh plays the game could be a double-edged sword, but only time will tell how it translates to the NHL stage. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that Parekh’s unique blend of skill, fluidity, and demeanor makes him a captivating prospect to watch as he progresses in his hockey journey.
Defense
When it comes to evaluating Zayne Parekh’s defensive abilities, opinions vary greatly, often depending on when and how you’ve watched him play. Throughout the season, there’s been noticeable progression in his reads and positioning, a testament to his dedication and adaptability on the ice.
Having observed roughly a dozen games myself, along with a few where my focus was on other players, the difference in Parekh’s defensive game is quite significant. While he may never be the type of defender who relies on physicality to thwart opponents, there’s more to his game than meets the eye.
Let’s address the elephant in the room – physicality. Parekh isn’t the defenseman you’ll see throwing big hits or muscling opponents off the puck. In fact, I could probably count the number of physical plays he’s made on one hand. Instead, he’s a player who relies heavily on his stick work and hockey IQ to neutralize threats. His defensive strategy revolves around using his stick and positioning to force opponents wide, disrupt passing lanes, and deflect shots.
Now, obviously, he is not the next Shea Weber but it’s essential to recognize that not every defenseman needs to play that style. While it would be nice to see Parekh engage physically a bit more, it’s simply not his forte. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ineffective defensively. On the contrary, Parekh excels at reading plays and adjusting his positioning accordingly. He’s constantly scanning the ice, anticipating the flow of the game, and making smart decisions to either disrupt opponents or intercept passes.
Overall, while Parekh’s defensive game may come with some inherent risk due to his style of play, particularly in transition, his intelligence and scanning habits mitigate these concerns. Even if he ends up being a slight liability in the defensive zone, his prowess in transitional play and offense more than compensates for any shortcomings. So, while Parekh may not fit the mold of a traditional shutdown defenseman, his unique skill set and hockey IQ make him a valuable asset on the ice.
Transition
When discussing Zayne Parekh’s transitional play, it’s evident that he possesses the potential to become a standout breakout machine in the NHL. As highlighted in the skating section of the video, his elusive skating ability allows him to navigate through pressure effortlessly, maintaining control of the puck against most forecheckers and advancing it into the neutral or offensive zone.
However, there are instances where Parekh’s decision-making comes into question. At times, he exhibits a tendency to force plays or breakouts that have minimal chance of success. There’s a palpable eagerness to transition quickly from defense to offense, sometimes resulting in misguided passes or attempts to skate through traffic when a more conservative approach might be warranted. Additionally, there are occasions where he appears to send stretch passes to teammates who aren’t expecting them or skate through the neutral zone despite viable passing options being available.
Yet, these issues seem more like nuances that can be ironed out with experience and playing alongside more aware teammates. Despite occasional lapses in decision-making, Parekh consistently gets the job done on the breakout, displaying an uncanny ability to evade checks, move gracefully across the ice, and deliver pinpoint passes that slice through opposing defenses.
It’s this blend of confidence, swagger, and skill that sets Parekh apart as a transitional player. Whether he’s spinning off checks with ease, gliding across the ice like a ballerina, or threading passes through traffic, Parekh exudes star quality. His knack for seeing plays develop before they happen and executing quick, precise passes enables him to swiftly transition the play in the opposite direction, often catching opponents off guard.
Even when the opposing team manages to clear their zone, Parekh rarely opts for a full reset. Instead, he prefers to swiftly initiate the breakout with a one-touch pass to a teammate in motion, effectively regaining offensive momentum in an instant.
In summary, Parekh emerges as a highly skilled and efficient transitional player with exceptional vision and scanning habits. While there may be occasional lapses in decision-making, his overall ability to move the play up the ice quickly and effectively underscores his potential as a game-changing force in the NHL.
Offense
When discussing Zayne Parekh’s offensive prowess, it’s hard not to get excited about the potential he brings to the table. In my opinion, he stands out as the most dynamic offensive defenseman in this draft class. While players like Zeev Buim and Levshunov showcase their own impressive skills, Parekh emerges as the complete package when it comes to offense.
Let’s start with his shot – it’s truly elite. I mean, who else in this draft class can boast such a lethal shot from the blue line? Perhaps Yakemchuk comes close, but Parekh’s shot is in a league of its own. Whether he’s using his maneuverability to walk the blue line, shaking off coverage with his skating, or joining the rush to take a high-danger shot from the slot, Parekh consistently finds ways to get his shot on net. With 33 goals to his name, it’s clear that his shot selection, placement, and execution are top-notch.
But Parekh isn’t just a one-trick pony when it comes to offense – he’s also an exceptional distributor. On the powerplay, he’s practically untouchable at the top of the zone, using his quick hands to keep the puck out of reach while setting up his teammates with pinpoint passes. Even when leading the rush or skating down from the blue line, Parekh has a knack for finding open players cross-ice without ever looking their way, all while selling the shot threat.
While some may argue that his passing skills don’t quite reach elite status, I’d argue otherwise. Parekh’s ability to create scoring opportunities stems from a combination of his hockey sense, stickhandling, skating, vision, and puck skills. It’s this amalgamation of talents that elevates him to a high-end creator in the offensive zone, capable of keeping opponents guessing until the final play unfolds.
In my eyes, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Parekh doesn’t become a top-four defenseman and a staple on the first powerplay unit in the NHL. His offensive prowess is anchored in his exceptional hockey sense and ability to read the ice, followed closely by his high-end skills. Whether he’s leading the rush or generating offense in the zone, Parekh’s versatility and creativity make him a potent threat. And considering how well his offense should translates to the NHL level, there’s every reason to believe that he’ll exceed expectations once he makes the leap to the big leagues.
Conclusion
When assessing Zayne Parekh’s potential, it’s reasonable to expect him to slot in as a top-four defenseman and a key contributor on the first powerplay unit in the NHL. However, if his offensive output proves to be substantial and he can hold his own defensively at the highest level, there’s a chance he could develop into a first-pair, first-powerplay defenseman. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
While it’s tempting to draw comparisons to players like Erik Karlsson, it wouldn’t be fair to set such lofty expectations. After all, Karlsson was a once-in-a-generation talent, a player who dominated the NHL as the most dynamic offensive defenseman, racking up accolades like Norris Trophies and NHL All-Star selections. Such achievements are rare and can’t be projected onto any prospect with certainty.
However, it’s worth noting that there are similarities in the style of play between Parekh and Karlsson. Both possess the ability to generate offense at an elite level, dictating the pace of the game with their playmaking skills and vision. And much like Karlsson, Parekh often exudes a sense of nonchalance on the ice, as if everything comes too easily to him.
Ultimately, while we can’t predict Parekh’s future with absolute certainty, it’s clear that he possesses the potential to make a significant impact in the NHL. Whether he reaches the heights of a player like Erik Karlsson remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure – Parekh’s combination of skill, intelligence, and effortless style of play make him a player worth keeping a close eye on as he embarks on his NHL journey.
