Julian Lutz: 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile; Germany’s Top 2022 Prospect & More News Here

Our 2022 draft protection continues immediately with a profile of prime German prospect Julian Lutz. Germany has seen a latest upswing within the high quality of their nationwide league, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), in addition to the prospects they’ve produced. Since 2014, when the Edmonton Oilers chosen Leon Draisaitl third total, 13 German gamers have been taken within the NHL Draft. 5 of those gamers had been taken within the 1st spherical with one other participant taken within the 2nd spherical. This group consists of established NHLers in Draisaitl, Moritz Seider, and Tim Stützle. It additionally consists of prospects comparable to Dominik Bokk, Lukas Reichel, and John-Jason Peterka. Lutz will hope to develop into the subsequent large prospect from Germany. This profile will check out his background and what scouts must say about his recreation.

Who is Julian Lutz?

According to his Elite Prospects profile, Julian Lutz is a 6’2”, 185 lbs. ahead from Weingarten, Germany. He was born on February 29, 2004, thus making this previous season his age 17 yr. He is listed as a left-handed shot and performed his youth hockey with EV Ravensburg. Here’s an outline of his profession stats through Elite Prospects:

It’s notable to see him be part of the Red Bull Hockey Academy in Salzburg, Austria on the age of 12 in 2016-17. By the 2018-19 season, his age 14 yr, Lutz was already an everyday participant for the U18 staff within the Erste Bank Juniors League (EBJL). He led the staff with 28 objectives and 60 factors and completed 2nd with 32 assists. Lutz’s 2.22 factors per recreation price had been simply behind the highest Austrian prospect for this yr’s draft, Marco Kasper’s 2.40 factors per recreation price.

He moved as much as Red Bull’s prime junior staff in 2019-20, his age 15 season. That staff competed within the DHL Cup which was basically the Czech U20 league that season. Lutz led the staff with 17 objectives and was 2nd on the staff with 26 factors. Those totals additionally led all U16 gamers within the league that season. The 17 objectives ranked tied-14th for all gamers within the league. That season additionally noticed Lutz make his debut for Germany on the worldwide scene. He put up 4 objectives and 6 assists in 9 video games for the U16 staff and had 2 objectives and 4 assists in 6 video games for the U17 staff.

In his pre-draft season of 2020-21, Lutz primarily performed for the highest Red Bull junior staff, now enjoying within the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL). This league is knowledgeable league that options groups from Austria, Italy, and Slovenia. Lutz produced effectively within the males’s league with 13 objectives and 13 assists in 31 video games. Those totals had been sufficient to steer his staff in objectives and end 2nd in factors. Lutz not solely led his U17 age group in scoring however was 2nd total amongst U20 gamers. Lutz even earned a name as much as EC Salzburg, one of many flagship groups for Red Bull (with EHC München in Germany being the opposite). EC Salzburg competes within the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL), Austria’s top-tier league and one which options groups additionally from Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia. With EC Salzburg, Lutz had 2 objectives and an help in 7 video games. Lutz additionally represented Germany on the U18 World Championship with an help in 4 video games.

Last season, Lutz would transfer on to EHC München within the DEL. Unfortunately for Lutz, he missed a lot of the season with “a fatigue fracture of his lumbar spine” based on The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. He did register a purpose and a couple of assists in 14 video games for EHC München which led all U18 gamers. In worldwide play, Lutz had 2 objectives in 4 video games for Germany’s U18 staff on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he had 2 objectives and a couple of assists in 4 video games for Germany on the U18 World Championship.

Elite Prospects record his contract as expired following the 2021-22 season. It appears possible that he stays with EHC München given his rise via the Red Bull Academy and the very fact he didn’t get a lot expertise within the DEL final yr. If he does wish to come to North America, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) personal his rights after deciding on him 116th total within the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

Where is Julian Lutz Ranked?

It appears most shops that rank Lutz considers him to be a 2nd to third spherical prospect:

What Others Say About Julian Lutz

Since Julian Lutz was restricted to only 14 league video games and eight video games between the U18 WJC and Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a lot of the scouting reviews on him are a bit previous. I used to be capable of finding some newer feedback on his recreation however I’m going to current these reviews in chronological order.

First, let’s begin with Brock Otten’s 2021 CHL Import Draft Review from July 7, 2021, over at OHL Prospects. That article consists of this report on Lutz from Chapin Landvogt, a author based mostly in Hamburg, Germany for McKeen’s Hockey and EP Rinkside. I’ve edited a number of strains from the report for brevity.

“He’s a very heady kid with a strong nose for the goal and a whole lot of power in making his way to it. He can score goals just as well as set them up and spent this past season already showing the world that he’s physically capable and ready to play pro hockey against men, having spent the bulk of the season for Red Bull Academy in the third class AlpsHL…For my taste, he was underwhelming at the U18. Some will say that you could still see that he was clearly one of Germany’s absolute best-schooled and trained players, but I’ve seen him do a lot of special things in generating offensive opportunities – sometimes out of nothing – at the pro level and was very surprised, if not disappointed, that we didn’t really get to see this at the U18. One way or the other, we’re talking about a player who should spend next season making a case to be a first rounder in 2022.”

Of course, the damage that derailed his 2021-22 season would plummet his draft inventory from that of a doable 1st rounder to a mid-round prospect. As Landvogt famous, it was encouraging to see Lutz have already got skilled expertise and be set to play his draft season in Germany’s prime league. I like studying that he’s a purpose scorer and bodily able to enjoying towards males.

Next, we now have this recreation report from Andrew LeBlanc of Draft Prospects Hockey following the August 4, 2021, Hlinka Gretzky Cup recreation between the United States and Germany. The first facet of Lutz’s recreation that LeBlanc notes is pace:

Plays a excessive power recreation trying to catch opponents off guard. Great footspeed, highly effective stride. Flies down the left aspect of the ice with pace and appears to hold into the offensive zone. Generates a variety of probabilities, drives the play for his staff. Some added leg power might assist prime finish, breakaway pace. Has strong puck management, could make performs at prime pace.

LeBlanc additionally notes that his shot will not be one of the best however he is aware of tips on how to use it:

Has an excellent, not nice, shot. Not the strongest, however picks photographs properly and fires. Very inventive together with his photographs, capturing from all angles.

It was additionally famous that Lutz is a competitor:

Hunts down free pucks and repeatedly places strain on opposition to maneuver it shortly. An actual competitor, by no means provides up on a play.

One space that Lutz wanted to enhance after this viewing in LeBlanc’s opinion was his protection:

Needs to work on positioning and consciousness on protection. Was caught puck watching as an opposition defenseman glided behind him and tapped in a cross-ice cross. Tries to intercept passes aggressively and counter-attack with pace. Needs to select his moments as this may be an efficient play, however usually caught trying foolish.

Considering the expertise hole between the United States and Germany, I’m not shocked that his recreation report was a little bit of a blended bag for Lutz. I used to be inspired to learn that he is aware of tips on how to greatest make the most of his shot and by no means provides up on a play. Defensive miscues are one thing that may be corrected with teaching and extra ice time in observe and video games.

The subsequent report we now have on Lutz comes from Colton Davies of FC Hockey on October 31, 2021. The report has these quotes from FC Hockey regional scout Miroslav Simurka within the opening paragraphs to offer an outline of Lutz’s recreation:

“He’s is a big, hard forechecking winger with good offensive skills,” FCHockey regional scout Miroslav Simurka stated.

“He is fast, quick, mobile, can get around defenses with quick turns, stops, direction changes or simply by his speed. Lutz is a fun to watch player. He is also a solid stickhandler, controls the puck in full speed, is successful with the puck in tight areas, drawing oppositions attention, having always head up and then passing the puck in the lanes he created.”

In noting his strengths, the report mentions that:

“Lutz’s combination of speed, aggression, and work ethic allowed him to get in on the forecheck to disrupt the opposition’s breakout and generate turnovers, which in turn led to either prolonged offensive zone possessions or forced dump outs by opposing puck carriers,” FCHockey regional scout Brandon Holmes stated.

In noting areas that Lutz wants to enhance, the report mentions that:

“His shots can find opposing shin pads more often than the goalie, when passing lanes are available to allow his team to maintain possession,” FCHockey regional scout Joshua Frojelin stated. “Also, Lutz doesn’t possess immensely excessive ability or pace, however that by no means stopped him from difficult opponents in transition.

It actually appears for what Lutz might lack in high-end ability, he makes up via arduous work. I get the impression he might be a pleasant complementary piece for an NHL staff that desires so as to add a bodily winger that may assist drive play to their backside 6.

Now we will transfer on to a newer report on Lutz’s recreation from Hadi Kalakeche of Dobber Prospects final month. He describes Lutz’s recreation:

A excessive motor and nice skating foundations outline Lutz’s recreation. He does an excellent job of searching down puck-carriers and disrupting their makes an attempt to skate the puck in the direction of the offensive zone, whereas additionally having the ability to take his foot off the gasoline when the state of affairs warrants it. He battles arduous in entrance of the online, makes his stick accessible for deflections and rebounds, and is adept at gaining physique positioning on his opponents. The fundamental difficulty with Lutz is only a lack of pop in his recreation — his shot is OK, his passing is common, and his stickhandling is simply good, however none of his puck expertise stand out as outstanding instruments that may be developed into above-average property on the NHL degree. I see Lutz as a flexible ahead who can chip in defensively and pile up the occasional level, whereas manning a 3rd line and a second power-play unit.

The excellent news is that Lutz’s damage didn’t impression his effectiveness as a forechecker or intense competitor. Unfortunately, it appears the misplaced developmental time has led to most of Lutz’s expertise staying at their degree earlier than the 2021-22 season.

Finally, we now have this report from Jason Bukala of Sportsnet on May 4, 2022. This is following the latest U18 WJC:

He strikes effectively and brings measurement (6-foot-2, 179 kilos) and ability to the equation. On the facility play he confirmed he can one time pucks and rating objectives. This is a participant who is likely to be flying beneath the radar a bit and I consider confirmed sufficient to come back into consideration within the second spherical of the draft. Big our bodies who prolong performs, battle, and have ability are a wished commodity.

In phrases of playstyle, this appears to again up the opposite reviews however does appear to assume he might have a barely greater ceiling than these reviews as Bukala notes Lutz might be price a 2nd spherical choose.

A Little Video

There isn’t a lot video on the market on Lutz as a result of on a regular basis he missed however we do have this shift-by-shift video from Germany vs. Sweden on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup final August. Look for #18 in black.:

His 2nd shift, beginning at 0:38, options Lutz making a robust play on the forecheck to steal the puck and finally assist his staff get a shot try. On that very same shift, he additionally did effectively to assist regain possession of the puck within the impartial zone for Germany earlier than one in all his teammates turned the puck over on a zone entry try. However, he wasn’t capable of apply a lot strain on his man within the defensive zone when Sweden gained management of the puck and that ended up resulting in a purpose towards.

His shift beginning at 6:55 noticed him do effectively to achieve possession of a free puck after a faceoff and switch in the direction of the middle of the zone to get a shot off with some visitors in entrance of the online.

His shift beginning at 10:48 noticed Lutz do effectively to make a clear zone entry regardless of not having a lot house to work with after which fireplace a cross into the slot that went for a shot.

His shift beginning at 11:50 noticed him open himself up for a one-timer following a German faceoff win on the PP. Later in that shift, with the puck on the opposite finish of the ice, he helped facilitate a zone exit and zone entry for Germany as they went again on the assault.

His shift beginning at 12:43 noticed Lutz drive in the direction of the online with out possession to behave as a net-front presence.

At 16:15, together with his staff down a purpose late within the recreation, Lutz did effectively to open himself up as an outlet for his teammate that gained possession behind the purpose however was unable to transform on his shot try.

Check out his objectives from Germany’s recreation towards Canada on the U18 WJC in April. He can positively rip it:

An Opinion of Sorts

Given how a lot time he missed in his draft season, it may be arduous to gauge simply how good of a prospect Julian Lutz is. In my opinion, Lutz is actually a prospect that an NHL staff ought to embrace on their draft board. When it involves his recreation, I like that he has a pro-style body that he can proceed to develop into. I like that for a bigger wing, he can skate effectively, choose his spots together with his shot, fireplace off a strong one-timer, and compete arduous in all areas of the ice. He appears to have the makings of a strong backside 6 wing on the NHL degree that may disrupt the opposition in transition, assist drive play for his line, and supply some secondary scoring. He looks like the kind of participant that may be a extremely strong depth piece on a playoff staff on the NHL degree. His ceiling could also be a bit restricted however he appears to have a strong sufficient ability base to lift his ground. The truth he already has in depth skilled expertise is a giant plus in my view.

My fundamental considerations with him come all the way down to his defensive zone play and the impression that his damage had on such a vital developmental yr. Watching Lutz, it’s apparent that he’s engaged within the play and desires to make the precise reads defensively however is susceptible to dropping his protection. Fortunately, that could be a deficit in his recreation that would enhance via teaching and extra expertise. When it involves the time missed as a result of damage, we’ll simply have to attend and see how his growth unfolds over the subsequent few seasons. I’m all in favour of seeing what the long run holds for Lutz and I wouldn’t thoughts if it was with the Devils group.

Your Take

What are your ideas on Julian Lutz? Would you’ve gotten him in your draft board? If so, do you assume he could be price a 2nd spherical choose or would you think about him extra of a mid to late-round prospect? Leave your feedback beneath and thanks for studying!

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