• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
NHL Entry Draft

Zach Nastasiuk – The Next Ones: NHL 2013 Draft Prospect Profile

By THW Archives June 23rd, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Zach Nastasiuk THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 3/30/1995

Place of birth: Barrie, Ontario

Ht: 6’1″     Wt: 190 lbs

Shoots: Right

Position: RW

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2013

Twitter: @ZNasty27

THW The Next Ones Rankings (January 2013): 45

Zach Nastasiuk, Owen Sound Attack

Owen Sound Attack power forward Zach Nastasiuk is an intriguing prospect for the 2013 NHL entry draft (OHL Images)

Other Rankings:

THW War Room Rankings (April): 63

ISS (May): Not ranked

Future Considerations: Not ranked

Craig Button: 46

Consensus aggregate of several services (NHL Numbers): 71

CS Final Rankings for North American skaters: 13

***

[NHL 2013 Draft Guide – The Next Ones Draft Headquarters: Your quintessential draft resource]

***

The Owen Sound Attack have one prominent forward who will be taken in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.  Zach Nastasiuk has made a name for himself as a player that will lay his body out for the team before himself.  He isn’t overly skilled, but he does have what it takes to be an impact player in the NHL.  He upped his point totals from last season, and although he was still below a point-per-game average, he is touted as one of the most gutsy players on the ice.

For his size, he isn’t as fast as other players in the draft with similar build.  His skating isn’t atrocious, but leaves much to be desired.  His edging, agility, acceleration, among other things is below-average.  Even though skating may be a big knock on his game, it may be one of the only things scouts can pick apart.  It will take a lot of hard work and dedication to distinguish himself as an adequate skater, but he’s the type of player that puts in effort in everything he does.

Nastasiuk likes driving the net and playing in the corners.  He excels at the defensive side of the game and has a willingness to block shots and lay checks when needed.  He’s a versatile player that can be used on the powerplay or penalty kill.  His shot is well above-average and his release is impressive.  While he isn’t a playmaker, his passing is very crisp and looks for the simple play when he can.

If everything comes together for Zach, he can become a great defensive-minded winger with a mixture of offensive skills.

Where Will He End Up In June:

Nastasiuk is a likely 2nd round pick, but his skating may scare some GM’s away.  Chances are he won’t fall passed the 3rd round.

Scout’s Honor:

“Versatile player with willingness to aggressively compete. Is very good on the cycle, but has balance issues. He needs to improve footspeed, foot work and his skill levels in all phases. There is some upside, the question is just how much.”

Bill Placzek – DraftSite.com

“Nastasiuk is an opportunistic scorer who gets to the right spots in the offensive zone. He’s not the fastest skater but uses his choppy stride to get to where he needs to be on the ice. He competes hard and is aggressive on the forecheck and does protect the puck well when he retrieves it.”

Aaron Vickers – Future Considerations

“Like Nurse, Nastasiuk comes from an athletic family background and knows what it takes to play professional sports. His work ethic (as evidenced by his return from an injurty this season) has been lauded league-wide and the 6’1 right winger brings a lot of mental fortitude to this game.

Nastasiuk is a solid winger but needs to improve his overall skating ability. He has a nose for the net (finishing the campaign with 20 goals), and could project to being a solid third-line player that brings an offensive touch to his game.”

Hockey’s Future

Zach Nastasiuk [photo: David Chan]

Zach Nastasiuk [photo: David Chan]

Statistics:

Bio/Interview/Links:

Interview with Neate Sager of Yahoo’s Buzzing the Net

Last Word on Sports profile

International Tournaments:

Nastasiuk played for Team Canada in the U18 WJC where he scored four points in seven games.

ETA:

3-4 years

Risk/Reward Analysis:

Risk: 3/5   Reward: 4/5

NHL Potential:

2nd or 3rd line defensive winger capable of putting up points

Strengths:

Versatility

Shot

Passing

Defensive awareness

Playing in dirty areas

Driving the net

Shot blocking

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

Speed

Skating

Balance

Agility

Acceleration

Edgework

Fantasy Hockey Potential:

Offensive: 4/10   Defensive: 6/10

NHL Player Comparison:

-Nastasiuk reminds me of Ryan Callahan or Max Talbot.  He is very sound defensively, plays the body, blocks shots, but also can score and set up plays.

Video(s):

***

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

Follow Shawn Reznik on Twitter: @ShawnTHW

  • Tags
  • 2013 NHL Draft
  • Max Talbot
  • Owen Sound Attack
  • Ryan Callahan
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 23rd 8:00 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Thrilled To Bring Laine, Roslovic On Board

Jan 23rd 6:58 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens’ Price Still Has Room to Improve Early in 2020-21

Jan 23rd 4:05 PM
All-Star Weekend

25 Years Later: The FoxTrax Glowing Puck Makes Its Debut

Jan 23rd 3:50 PM
Boston Bruins

Bruins Should Play Grzelcyk With McAvoy

Jan 23rd 3:23 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Are Being Too Patient With the Puck

Jan 23rd 2:20 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Pierre-Oliver Joseph Shines in NHL Debut

Jan 23rd 2:10 PM
Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Prospects: Lacombe, McLaughlin, Sundsvik & More

Jan 23rd 2:00 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Prospects News & Rumors: Clarke, Byram & Cozens

Jan 23rd 2:00 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders’ Kieffer Bellows Adapting to New Role

Jan 23rd 1:50 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Monahan Vying to Be Best Center in North Division

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information