MLive’s Ansar Khan has posted a profile of Saginaw Spirit Center Cole Perfetti, who’s been linked to the Red Wings on a regular basis as we approach the 2020 NHL draft:
Perfetti likes playing a fast-paced, puck-possession style, like they do in Saginaw under coach Chris Lazary. Perfetti produced 37 goals and 74 assists in 61 games.
“He coaches a pro style and he’s playing the new style of hockey,” Perfetti said. “A lot of coaches are stuck in their olden ways, kind of chip pucks in and crash and bang, play hard, and you have to play within this structure to a T. Whereas with Chris, as long as you’re within this structure, he gives you leeway to make plays, be your own player and have a brain. Be creative and have fun.
“I think that’s really allowed me to flourish. I think if I was under a head coach where I had to dump the puck in every time I got over the red line and get on the forecheck, it would be frustrating and I wouldn’t be able to express how I really am as a player. We play fast and off the rush and as long as we’re within the system, filling in for one another and making sure we’re in good spots, we’re allowed to be creative.”
Perfetti played mostly wing his rookie season and split this past season between wing and center, his preferred position.
“I feel like I make more of an impact through the middle of the ice and I’m able to impact the game in greater ways as a centerman,” Perfetti said. “Being able to play both is going to be very beneficial when making the jump next year or the year after. I think it’s going to help me to get into the lineup and play key minutes and make an impact.”
I hoping Steve selects him. I’m 20 minutes from Saginaw and seen him play, so a bit of a bias. His top end speed may concern some but he makes some great moves and threads the needle on passes.