Virtual Hockey Scout
@virtualhockeyscout.bsky.social
I write NHL player deep dives: https://virtualhockeyscout.substack.com/
Extended highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@virtualhockeyscout
Extended highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@virtualhockeyscout
Despite Ottawa's recent struggles, Jake Sanderson is emerging as one of the finest two-way defensemen in the world. Here's my DEEP dive on his game:
#jakesanderson #ottawasenators #nhl
#jakesanderson #ottawasenators #nhl
2025-26 Season Spotlight: Jake Sanderson
The silver lining's playbook
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Despite Ottawa's recent struggles, Jake Sanderson is emerging as one of the finest two-way defensemen in the world. Here's my DEEP dive on his game:
#jakesanderson #ottawasenators #nhl
#jakesanderson #ottawasenators #nhl
Great start to the season for Matt Boldy. Here's how he's refined his game:
#mattboldy #minnesotawild #nhl
#mattboldy #minnesotawild #nhl
2025-26 Season Spotlight: Matt Boldy
He's beginning to believe
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Great start to the season for Matt Boldy. Here's how he's refined his game:
#mattboldy #minnesotawild #nhl
#mattboldy #minnesotawild #nhl
Cutter Gauthier has emerged as one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. Here's my deep dive on his game:
#cuttergauthier #anaheimducks #nhl #hockey
#cuttergauthier #anaheimducks #nhl #hockey
Breakout Alert: Cutter Gauthier
Easy does it
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Cutter Gauthier has emerged as one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. Here's my deep dive on his game:
#cuttergauthier #anaheimducks #nhl #hockey
#cuttergauthier #anaheimducks #nhl #hockey
Much like last season, Evgeni Malkin is having a great start. But thanks to some tactical and stylistic changes, it feels more sustainable in 2025-26. Here's a film-based look at why:
#malkin #pittsburghpenguins #nhl
#malkin #pittsburghpenguins #nhl
2025-26 Season Spotlight: Evgeni Malkin
Not so fast
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Much like last season, Evgeni Malkin is having a great start. But thanks to some tactical and stylistic changes, it feels more sustainable in 2025-26. Here's a film-based look at why:
#malkin #pittsburghpenguins #nhl
#malkin #pittsburghpenguins #nhl
Moritz Seider has found his groove as a pure stopper. Here's a breakdown of his stellar defense. Plenty of film to dig into!
#moritzseider #redwings #nhl
#moritzseider #redwings #nhl
2025-26 Season Spotlight: Moritz Seider
A stronger backbone
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Moritz Seider has found his groove as a pure stopper. Here's a breakdown of his stellar defense. Plenty of film to dig into!
#moritzseider #redwings #nhl
#moritzseider #redwings #nhl
Macklin Celebrini is the talk of the town at the moment, and for good reason. He leads the league in scoring as a 19-year-old. Here's an in-depth look at what makes him so effective:
#celebrini #sjsharks #nhl
#celebrini #sjsharks #nhl
2025-26 Season Spotlight: Macklin Celebrini
Sophomore jump
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Macklin Celebrini is the talk of the town at the moment, and for good reason. He leads the league in scoring as a 19-year-old. Here's an in-depth look at what makes him so effective:
#celebrini #sjsharks #nhl
#celebrini #sjsharks #nhl
JJ Peterka has fit the Mammoth like a glove so far. Here's a film-based breakdown of why:
#peterka #utahmammoth #nhl
#peterka #utahmammoth #nhl
Early Returns: JJ Peterka
Getting with the program
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
JJ Peterka has fit the Mammoth like a glove so far. Here's a film-based breakdown of why:
#peterka #utahmammoth #nhl
#peterka #utahmammoth #nhl
Fresh off his first NHL offseason, Habs rookie Ivan Demidov is looking like the real deal. Here's a breakdown of his early-season performance so far:
#ivandemidov #montrealcanadiens #nhl
#ivandemidov #montrealcanadiens #nhl
First Impressions: Ivan Demidov
Well, kind of
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Fresh off his first NHL offseason, Habs rookie Ivan Demidov is looking like the real deal. Here's a breakdown of his early-season performance so far:
#ivandemidov #montrealcanadiens #nhl
#ivandemidov #montrealcanadiens #nhl
Watched Matthew Schaefer's first three NHL games, and I'm not sure I've ever seen such an aggressive rookie defenseman. Crazy stuff.
Here's my film-based breakdown of his style:
#matthewschaefer #islanders #nhl
Here's my film-based breakdown of his style:
#matthewschaefer #islanders #nhl
First Impressions: Matthew Schaefer
A new breed
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Watched Matthew Schaefer's first three NHL games, and I'm not sure I've ever seen such an aggressive rookie defenseman. Crazy stuff.
Here's my film-based breakdown of his style:
#matthewschaefer #islanders #nhl
Here's my film-based breakdown of his style:
#matthewschaefer #islanders #nhl
Amid his ongoing contract negotiations, here's a deep dive on RFA Luke Hughes' overall game:
#lukehughes #njdevils #nhl
#lukehughes #njdevils #nhl
On the Rise: Luke Hughes
A star in the making
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Amid his ongoing contract negotiations, here's a deep dive on RFA Luke Hughes' overall game:
#lukehughes #njdevils #nhl
#lukehughes #njdevils #nhl
A look at how Nikolaj Ehlers can help the Canes this season and beyond:
#ehlers #carolinahurricanes #nhl
#ehlers #carolinahurricanes #nhl
The Skinny: Nikolaj Ehlers
Burn baby burn
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A look at how Nikolaj Ehlers can help the Canes this season and beyond:
#ehlers #carolinahurricanes #nhl
#ehlers #carolinahurricanes #nhl
Scouting report on Alexander Nikishin (and why he's so important to the Canes' outlook):
#nikishin #carolinahurricanes #nhl
#nikishin #carolinahurricanes #nhl
On the Rise: Alexander Nikishin
Carolina's X-factor
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Scouting report on Alexander Nikishin (and why he's so important to the Canes' outlook):
#nikishin #carolinahurricanes #nhl
#nikishin #carolinahurricanes #nhl
Michkov is a fascinating young player. Both his strengths and weaknesses are very pronounced, but there's just no denying his talent. With a new coach and proper deployment, he could be in for a big year.
Here's an in-depth look at his game:
#michkov #philadelphiaflyers #nhl
Here's an in-depth look at his game:
#michkov #philadelphiaflyers #nhl
On the Rise: Matvei Michkov
All systems go
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Michkov is a fascinating young player. Both his strengths and weaknesses are very pronounced, but there's just no denying his talent. With a new coach and proper deployment, he could be in for a big year.
Here's an in-depth look at his game:
#michkov #philadelphiaflyers #nhl
Here's an in-depth look at his game:
#michkov #philadelphiaflyers #nhl
MIN re-signs young center Marco Rossi for 3 years at $5M AAV. For anyone interested in his game, here's a primer I wrote a couple of seasons ago:
#marcorossi #minnesotawild #nhl
#marcorossi #minnesotawild #nhl
2023-24 Rookie Watch: Marco Rossi
The Wild pivot is finding his groove
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:23 PM
MIN re-signs young center Marco Rossi for 3 years at $5M AAV. For anyone interested in his game, here's a primer I wrote a couple of seasons ago:
#marcorossi #minnesotawild #nhl
#marcorossi #minnesotawild #nhl
A quick peek at how Brent Burns can help the Avs next season. Includes some film and numbers to dig into:
#brentburns #coloradoavalanche #nhl
#brentburns #coloradoavalanche #nhl
The Skinny: Brent Burns
The chase continues
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A quick peek at how Brent Burns can help the Avs next season. Includes some film and numbers to dig into:
#brentburns #coloradoavalanche #nhl
#brentburns #coloradoavalanche #nhl
Caps rookie Ryan Leonard is one of the more promising young power forwards in the sport. Here's a film-based look at what he brings to the table:
#ryanleonard #washingtoncapitals
#ryanleonard #washingtoncapitals
On the Rise: Ryan Leonard
A new-school power forward
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Caps rookie Ryan Leonard is one of the more promising young power forwards in the sport. Here's a film-based look at what he brings to the table:
#ryanleonard #washingtoncapitals
#ryanleonard #washingtoncapitals
Pius Suter scored 25 goals last season, but defense is his bread and butter. Here's a quick overview of his game along with some footage to dig into:
#piussuter #stlouisblues #nhl #hockey
#piussuter #stlouisblues #nhl #hockey
The Skinny: Pius Suter
Slow and steady
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Pius Suter scored 25 goals last season, but defense is his bread and butter. Here's a quick overview of his game along with some footage to dig into:
#piussuter #stlouisblues #nhl #hockey
#piussuter #stlouisblues #nhl #hockey
Simon Edvinsson broke out last season, and it feels like he's just getting started. Here's a film-based breakdown of what he does well and where he could improve:
#edvinsson #redwings #nhl
#edvinsson #redwings #nhl
On the Rise: Simon Edvinsson
A matter of when
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Simon Edvinsson broke out last season, and it feels like he's just getting started. Here's a film-based breakdown of what he does well and where he could improve:
#edvinsson #redwings #nhl
#edvinsson #redwings #nhl
Film-based overview of what the Habs can expect from Noah Dobson moving forward:
#montrealcanadiens #noahdobson
#montrealcanadiens #noahdobson
The Skinny: Noah Dobson
Montreal swings for the fences
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Film-based overview of what the Habs can expect from Noah Dobson moving forward:
#montrealcanadiens #noahdobson
#montrealcanadiens #noahdobson
Fresh off an excellent season, Pavel Dorofeyev could be poised to take another step in 2025-26. Here's why:
On the Rise: Pavel Dorofeyev
Wait, there's more
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Fresh off an excellent season, Pavel Dorofeyev could be poised to take another step in 2025-26. Here's why:
A full breakdown of why Sam Bennett is so important to the Panthers (complete with nearly 8 minutes of game film):
Free Agency Frenzy: Sam Bennett
Home is where the heart is
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A full breakdown of why Sam Bennett is so important to the Panthers (complete with nearly 8 minutes of game film):
Here's my breakdown of the best pure defender on the free-agent market:
Free Agency Frenzy: Vladislav Gavrikov
A plug-and-play security blanket
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
June 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Here's my breakdown of the best pure defender on the free-agent market:
Here's how Anton Lundell helped the Panthers secure the Cup in Game 6:
#antonlundell #floridapanthers
#antonlundell #floridapanthers
2024-25 Playoff Focus: Anton Lundell (GM6 vs. EDM)
Baby's all grown up
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Here's how Anton Lundell helped the Panthers secure the Cup in Game 6:
#antonlundell #floridapanthers
#antonlundell #floridapanthers
Brad Marchand was phenomenal in Game 5. Great work in puck protection and transition, and he obviously delivered a pair of huge goals. Here's the full breakdown:
#bradmarchand #floridapanthers #nhl
#bradmarchand #floridapanthers #nhl
2024-25 Playoff Focus: Brad Marchand (GM5 vs. EDM)
Man on a mission
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
June 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Brad Marchand was phenomenal in Game 5. Great work in puck protection and transition, and he obviously delivered a pair of huge goals. Here's the full breakdown:
#bradmarchand #floridapanthers #nhl
#bradmarchand #floridapanthers #nhl
With his best game of the series last night, Sam Bennett continues to drive his market value up. Here's the full film-based breakdown:
2024-25 Playoff Focus: Sam Bennett (GM3 vs. EDM)
Need for speed
virtualhockeyscout.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
With his best game of the series last night, Sam Bennett continues to drive his market value up. Here's the full film-based breakdown: