Minden is a 6’1” forward who had 55 points in 67 games for Logan Stankoven’s WHL team. Minten is listed at 185 pounds and it has been reported that he feels he needs to develop more physically. Originally from Vancouver, Minten played in the academy/prep system before making his WHL debut in 2020-21 in that truncated season. His record consists almost entirely of this season. It’s clear the Leafs were interested before today: Minten says the Leafs showed him video during their meetings. They were showing a play and then the screen would go black. They would ask him what he thought would happen next before showing the result. He felt it helped him show his hockey sense. — David Alter (@dalter) July 8, 2022 He’s not going to lie, this feels like he has access. No one really had him that high, with Bob McKenzie the closest at 47th. The only caveat I would add to this is that I felt Matthew Knies was also very good, and he turned out great. The first reports I’ve read of Minten just now remind me a bit of Knies, actually. Only he can play center. So I’ll reserve judgment until I watch more of his games last year in more detail so I can see him for myself. From Mitch Brown’s Patreon: From Joel Henderson, a Western Canadian scout who had Minten in the 55 to 70 range: The more I watch Frazier play, the more I see no real reason why he can’t play with the pace, flow and physicality of high-quality hockey. While his game remains fairly simple, he uses that simplicity very effectively. He can handle the puck on the move with confidence and often just needs to move laterally a bit and drag the puck to reach. He doesn’t need a series of complicated layups to maintain possession while building speed through the neutral zone. He protects when he arrives, builds speed with power through crossovers, and makes smart follow-up plays with speed or along the boards. He is physical and often battles for that inside position and can curl up quickly to shoot from the half wall. The flick on his wrist shot has improved and he’s getting into a better space to use it as well. I think that while Fraser may not have the ability to make a string of high-end dangles in a row and become a star, he has all the tools to succeed at the next levels. I project him as a useful and versatile forward for the NHL’s top six. From Scott Wheeler: The second of three Blazers on this list, Minten impressed on a competitive Kamloops team this season, playing a major role in a Game 7 loss in the conference finals. He’s a heady three-zone player who makes smart, calculated choices with the puck and can show skill through his hands and make plays when opportunities present themselves. He has great spatial awareness and understands how to use the sheet and opposing coverage to his advantage both inside and outside the box. Here is an anonymous WHL source on Minten: “The hockey sense is through the roof. He is a very responsible 200-foot center. I believe he will play and carve out a role. At 19, he will be a very good youth player and I could see him pushing for a world junior team. I think his game is steadily growing. He’s a guy to watch out for.” From the Elite Prospects Draft Guide: For the better part of two seasons, Fraser Minten’s game was a collection of interesting tools, but he lacked the glue to hold them together. He showed shooting, passing, handling and physical ability, but always regardless. Well, that was until the final months of the season, where everything came together in a specialized, violent package. Shooting and physicality are Minten’s defining skills. A strong timer, smooth curl and drag wrist and two-touch wrists make him just as effective shooting in space as he is under pressure. While he lacks the off-puck timing characteristic of NHL finishers, he switches between the pure front and outside slot to maximize his chances of getting a feed. Early in the season, Minten’s physical game was limited to thunderous hits. Towards the end, he dialed up the violence while also showing a projected board game. When the defender leans on him, he cuts back into the gap. He uses punching turns on each foot to find separation, doesn’t circle the puck unnecessarily and drives the play inside when possible. Past development will determine Minten’s NHL upside. “He slides pucks through defenders, sauces them over sticks, even pre-scans to make a one-touch play off the boards or cuts back and finds a better option,” said the Elite Prospects director. of North American Scouting, Mitch Brown wrote in a postseason game report. What do you think, Leafs fans?
