Noel Gunler NHL Draft Profile: A perfect fit with the Washington Capitals
One player the Washington Capitals should draft is Noel Gunler.
The Washington Capitals are projected to pick 25th in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. The 2020 NHL Draft is expected to take place on October 9th and one player they should draft is Noel Gunler. Gunler is a right winger who’s six foot one and 177 pounds that plays for Lulea HF of the SHL.
ISS Hockey via Elite Prospects describes Gunler as someone who “thinks the game well… elite shot and release… goal scoring instincts… likes to shoot the puck… has ability to find open space and create.” That description came from 2017 and he only got better three years later.
Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com said, “The 6 foot two, 176 pound forward possesses good passing skills, shot selection and willingness to drive to the net to create offense… He has intimidating size and earned big minutes on the power play with his soft hands and playmaking ability.”
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In the 2015-16 season, Gunler scored two goals and added an assist for three points in three games of U16 action for Lulea HF. In 2016-17 he added eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 14 games in J18 Elit play. In J18 Allsvenskan, Gunler had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 18 games including two playoff goals.
In the 2017-18 season, Gunler had four goals in four games along with two assists in J18 Allsvenskan play. He moved up to SuperElit and scored eight goals and added 14 assists for 22 points in 41 games. 2018-19 was a breakout season for Gunler as he scored 27 goals and 19 assists for 46 points in 31 games.
This season Gunler has four goals and nine assists for 13 points in SHL action. He has also represented Team Sweden internationally on the U16, U17, U18, and U20 teams.
Gunler is the third of three SHL wingers projected to go in the first round. He has a strong and versatile shot and way more to his game. Although it looked like a down year this season, this was an 18 year old playing with and against big boys and 13 points in 48 games for an 18 year old Swede is still very impressive.
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I think he’ll be a solid prospect and a good addition to the Caps. They are a team that needs more talented prospects and he would be a great compliment after the team took Connor McMichael last year. We are just over a month away from the draft and we’ll find out if the Caps indeed add Gunler.