Ryan Leonard has the makings of the next great NHL power forward
When you look at the USA’s U-18 team’s stats this year, Ryan Leonard’s numbers stand out.
Both of his linemates broke the 100-point barrier, something that only a few elite members of the top American junior program has ever managed. Leonard fell short – by 23, to be exact – but some scouts think he has star potential.
Leonard is Daily Faceoff’s ninth-ranked prospect, and for good reason. He was an integral piece of USA’s top line in U-18 action, considered by many to be one of the best the United States Development Team Program has ever seen. While Gabriel Perreault is known for his goal-scoring, and Will Smith is the brains of the operation, Leonard is the versatile, two-way threat that could end up with more than 50 goals by the end of the season.
That end will be later this month, after Leonard and the rest of the squad spend two weeks in Basel, Switzerland at the U-18 World Championship. The Americans are the favorites in Group B. They should battle for the championship, something the team hasn’t accomplished since Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Joel Farabee and Quinn Hughes laid waste to the competition in 2017.
When it comes to Leonard’s strengths, take your pick. He’s aggressive. He led the team with 13 power-play goals. He was second in goals, period, with 43. He’s a dominant defensive player. He played all three forward spots this year. Leonard can do it all.
“My best strength may be the way I carry momentum into the game. I think I can change it in a matter of seconds with my physicality and my shot,” Leonard said. “I just want to bring it all to the table. I’m very confident in my game.”
That’s bang-on. Leonard might be the strongest prospect at the high end of the 2023 NHL Draft. Whether it be his fast release or the big hits he lands on a consistent basis, Leonard is considered to be one of the toughest players to go up against 1-on-1.
His teammates agree.
“Everyone in the crowd sees he’s one of the strongest, guys, and that comes from the weight room, too,” Smith said. “He’s just creates space for Gabe and I. And he has one hell of a shot, too. It comes from all of the muscles.”
Hits aren’t publicly tracked on the USNTDP, so it’s hard to quantify his physicality. But when scouts are telling you stories about how he lands massive blows on pro players during summer camps and things like that, you remember things like that. He’s been surrounded by pros for years, and it helps that his brother, John, plays with the Nashville Predators. That experience is invaluable for a kid Ryan’s age.
“He plays such a heavy game,” a scout said. “It’s just power all the time, whether it be the way he skates, hits or shoots. Teams make space in the top six for guys like him.”
Leonard has spent most of his life playing against older competition, including with the U-18 team a year ago. He got to play with some quality teammates, such as Logan Cooley, Rutger McGroarty, Frank Nazar, Jimmy Snuggerud, Cutter Gauthier and Isaac Howard, and his good buddy Smith. Once he became a full-time U-18 player alongside Smith and Perreault this year, the chemistry instantly clicked, making them a dangerous trio.
“I think we’re all reading off each other well,” Leonard said. “Last year, it was a bit of a slow season and we didn’t really have this big of ups and downs as we wanted. But I think this year, we’ve been riding a hot hand. We keep going forward.”
The USNTDP spends two years building up for the U-18 World Championship. This will be Leonard’s second after scoring five times as an underaged player a year ago. With all the talent that group had, it was surprising they didn’t take home gold like most expected. This year, the group is armed with a 43-13 record with a +140 goal-differential. Anything short of top spot will be an understated disappointment.
But if USA’s top line keeps ticking along, they’ll be in a good spot. Plus, the second line of Oliver Moore, James Hagens and Cole Eiserman might just be as good. It’s a top six that’ll be flying high, and the team has enough overall depth to cause serious headaches to just about anyone.
And there are going to be significant eyes on Leonard, who’s committed to Boston College for 2023-24.
“I don’t expect him to spend much time at BC,” a scout said. “He’s going to tear it up and turn pro quite quickly. He’s got a pro mindset, a pro’s skillset.”