Romano is a slick, playmaking forward who thrives off creativity and vision. He’s elusive in the offensive zone, using quick hands and strong hockey IQ to generate chances. While he’ll need to add strength and consistency to make the leap, Romano’s upside lies in his ability to drive play and contribute on a power play unit. A longer-term project, but one with intriguing offensive tools.

Selected 74th overall, Luca Romano is now a member of the New York Islanders.

Final Rankings – Luca Romano is a skilled, creative center with high hockey IQ and strong playmaking instincts, but his undersized frame and limited pace raise concerns at higher levels. Regardless, his finesse-driven game is fun to watch, making him a long-term project worth rooting for, that may yet bear some upside as a top-9 center.—

June—Romano is a skilled offensive forward who was a key part of the Kitchener Rangers’ OHL playoff run. His offensive tools (particularly his whippy, accurate snapshot) are strong, and he cannot just play with pace but also set it.

The key stumbling blocks for Romano at the moment are his size and his interior ability. Romano is a willing battler along the boards, plays with intensity, and has strong hands in open space, but he struggles to beat defenders and gain control of the middle of the ice. Struggling with this at 5-11 in the OHL, it is worth wondering how he’ll be able to adapt at bigger, faster, and more physical levels. That said, his tools should take him far.—