2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Noah Davidson (F)

Noah Davidson (Medicine Hat):Projection/Architype: Top 6 – Sniper / Power forwardStrengths: Release, SkatingWeaknesses: Defensive zone impact, PhysicalityNOTE: HAS NOT PLAYED YET THIS SEASON Analysis:Based on his last season’s performance, Noah Davidson is a perfect combination of sniper and play-driving power forward. His biggest asset is his skating, having a strong stride and quick feet to move up ice quickly with the puck, chase loose pucks or opponents down ice, or drive the net for rebounds, deflections, or to be another option for his teammates. Paired with his skating, his shooting ability is top tier. His snappy release brings both power and accuracy to his shooting, being able to pick corners or beat goalies along the ice with ease. He is extra dangerous when receiving one-touch passes as well, leaving the goalies no time to react to him accepting the pass before the puck is rifled to the back of the net. The biggest flaw in his game last season was his ability to help his team when trapped in his own zone for an extended period of time. He lacks a great degree of defensive zone IQ in my opinion, as he tends to get caught watching the puck carrier instead of doing his assigned duties in his own zone. For example, he rarely ever keeps an active stick in his own end to block passing and shooting lanes from his opponents, often leading to passes getting through to opponents that shouldn’t have been allowed to be made in the first place if he was more engaged in his defensive abilities. To follow up with that, I find that he just puts less effort into his defensive game than he does his offensive game, which I consider a flaw in consistency and reliability. Lastly, he lacked a good physical side to his game last season. He uses his body well to shield the puck from opponents, gain body position in front of his opponents’ net, and win board battles, but he typically only came out on top against opponents who were significantly smaller or weaker than he was. Going against larger and stronger opponents, he lacked the ability to win those same battles to the same degree if at all. I look forward to seeing how he improved his game over the summer andhow his early absence will impact his game throughout the rest of theseason.