Halifax Moosehead Forward Raphael Lavoie is a Versatile Scoring Threat in QMJHL, Should be Top-Ten Pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft

by Blain Potvin, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

Perhaps surprisingly, the Canadiens are currently in a wild card spot for the playoffs. Fans should be cautioned that while Marc Bergevin has been general manager for almost seven years, this is the the first year of rebuilding plan is for the Canadiens. It seems that Bergevin has sold owner Geoff Molson on a plan that relies on collecting and developing young players.

I will assume that the Canadiens will be holding a first-round pick between fifteenth and twentieth overall, which they will receive based on a first round loss or missing the playoffs entirely. One player that could be available in that window is Halifax Mooseheads forward Raphael Lavoie.

Raphael Lavoie, C/RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
September 25, 2000 | Montreal, QC, Canada
6-4, 198 lbs. | Shoots Right |
2018-‘19: 56 GP, 31 G, 37 A, 68 PTS (Halifax Mooseheads)

CSB: No. 13 (NA Skaters) | ISS: No.13 | HP: No. 28 | FC: No. 11 | McKeen’s: No.14

At six-foot-four-inches, 198 pounds, Lavoie has the size that scouts love. He also boasts a complete array of skills that are all NHL calibre. While Lavoie is not a consistently physical player, he is not one to shy away from rough play. His large frame can absorb the punishment a top player receives when targeted by opposition defences. His challenge is finding the focus to use all of his tools consistently.

Lavoie excels at gaining puck possession and keeping it using his size, reach and superb stick-handling abilities. He is especially noticeable using this skill in the offensive zone as he circles the perimeter looking for a pass to an open teammate for a scoring opportunity or when he cuts to the net to generate a scoring chance for himself.

Lavoie possesses a heavy wrist shot with a quick release that he can let loose from either foot while at top speed. This skill has been highly effective at camouflaging his shot timing, keeping opposing goaltenders confused and forcing them to react as opposed to reading the play, making him a more effective shooter.

His offensive decision-making is very good. Lavoie rarely signals his intentions. His deceptive looks and body positioning make him highly successful in generating shooting lanes or passing lanes.

There's #26 on the season for Raphael Lavoie. #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/518nknmPSS

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) February 15, 2019

Scouts seem to disagree on Lavoie’s skating. In my opinion, he is a strong skater for a player of his size who demonstrates good edge-work allowing him to change direction at top speed and he boasts an excellent top straight-line speed.

However, there are some scouts who want to see more first step acceleration and some improvement in his ability to keep speed in tight turns. At the QMJHL level, this is not a concern because he needs time to develop, however they are projecting and comparing his skating to NHL levels. This concern is one that can be addressed with specialized training.

The top criticism for Lavoie is his defensive game. His positioning in the defensive zone when he plays wing is good, but his effort levels leave something to be desire. Lavoie is still too inconsistent in aggressively pursuing the puck carrier in his coverage and is inconsistent in his willingness to block shots or engage physically.

This aspect of his game is what would cause him to slide outside the top-ten as NHL teams place a much higher value on a player’s ability to play a full 200-foot game. It is possible that it may also be the reason why he was a late cut from Team Canada’s 2019 World Junior Championships team. Despite this, his play for Canada at the under-18 Championships as well as the CHL Top Prospects game has solidified his position as a first round talent.

The Canadiens’ power-play has been an issue for the last two seasons. The biggest need has been adding a talented right-handed shooter to add another layer that will force the opposing team’s defence to keep guessing. Adding a player like Lavoie who has an excellent shot and great offensive vision could make a difference in turning a mediocre Habs power-play into one that will benefit the team a few seasons.

Edited by Cate Racher, All Habs Hockey Magazine