Adrian Kempe – The Next Ones: NHL 2014 Draft Prospect Profile

Adrian Kempe THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 9/13/1996

Place of birth: Kramfors, Sweden

Ht: 6’2″     Wt: 187 lbs

Shoots: Left

Position: C/RW

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2014

Twitter: @adriankempe

THW The Next Ones Rankings (January 2014): 17

Adrian Kempe
Adrian Kempe (Photo: Håkan-Nordström)

Other Rankings:

THW War Room Rankings (April): 17

Future Considerations: 27

Craig Button: 9

CS Final Rankings for European skaters: 6

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Adrian Kempe wasn’t supposed to be playing for Modo at the start of the season, but after seeing the way he played a hard-nosed gritty game, they changed their minds and gave him an opportunity with the big club. He got a chance to play with his brother, Mario, a 2007 draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers.

He didn’t get as much playing time as the other veterans so he wasn’t able to score a whole bunch, but he has a great deal of untapped offensive potential. Kempe’s game benefits by playing with goal scorers. A noted passer, Kempe finds passing lanes even through the tightest of spaces.

His hard work and tenacity are also an advantage, especially when he will have to transfer to North American ice. Being on bigger ice slows the pace of the game down, which has aided in Kempe’s defensive development. He’s a strong checker and battles along the boards well. With his size (that he hasn’t quite filled out), Kempe always goes to the net to screen goalies and pick up dirty rebounds.

Scouts look at him as another future power forward with scoring ability and a likely 1st round pick.

Where Will He End Up In June:

Kempe will go in the 1st round most likely. I’d say anywhere between 18-27.

Scout’s Honor:

“Adrian is a big strong winger who can also play in the middle. He’s got some power forward potential, as he can be quite physical and tenacious on the forecheck. He surprised a lot of people by earning a jersey with Modo’s SHL team this season. He didn’t log big minutes, but was occasionally used on the powerplay and exhibited some of the talent that will probably make him a first round pick next month. Still needs to grow into his body, can look cubbish at times.”

Uffe Bodin – hockeysverige.se

“Kempe is a strong, bullish forward that has size, strength and a work ethic to match. He can be tenacious on the forecheck and never misses finishing a check. He has a heavy shot and isn’t shy to drive towards the net. (August 2013)”

Aaron Vickers – Future Considerations

“Kempe’s game drew rave reviews in the SuperElit where he served as an alternate captain of MoDo’s J20 team, so much so that he’s now seen action with the organization’s SHL entry. Kempe is an intriguing forward who has good size and an all-around skill-set that projects well moving forward. The Kramfors native plays with intensity and rarely takes shifts off which will go a long way for teams looking for a player that they can afford to be patient with in the second part of the first round.”

The Scouting Report

Statistics:

Bio/Interview(s)/Links:

Profile on Last Word On Sports

International Tournaments:

Kempe has played seven times for Team Sweden in international tournaments. In that time he’s won three gold medals and two silver medals

ETA:

2-3 years

Risk/Reward Analysis:

Risk: 2/5   Reward: 4/5

NHL Potential:

Top-nine power forward winger that can play center and powerplay minutes

Strengths:

Size

Vision

Passing through traffic

Gritty play

Checking

Fluid skating

Work ethic

Screening the goalie

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

Foot speed

Fill out his body

Fantasy Hockey Potential:

Offensive: 7/10    Defensive: 5/10

NHL Player Comparison:

– NHL comparison: Brandon Dubinsky

Video(s):

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THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph

Follow Shawn on Twitter: @ShawnTHW