Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Getty Images
- Name: Alex Picard
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Birthdate: 1985-10-06
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Les Saules, Quebec
- Acquired: 2004 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus
- Playing In: Pro
Alex Picard
Prospect Grade: 6.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
History
Drafted in the fourth round (52nd overall) of the 2001 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Sherbrooke Castors, Picard only played six games in Sherbrooke the following season, recording 3 assists. That is because Picard was one of the youngest players in the league at the time. In 2002-03 he made the team full-time and put up 14 goals and 29 points in 66 games in Sherbrooke. At the end of the season, the Castors moved form their long-time home in Sherbrooke to Lewiston, a small town in the American state of Maine. It is with Lewiston that the slick left winger broke out. Picard got off to an incredibly hot start and was among or atop the league leaders in scoring for a while. While he slowed down a bit, he still put up 39 goals and 80 points 69 games for the Maineiacs. In reality though, the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau saw enough promise to rank him third among its North American skaters in its season ending rankings.
Talent Analysis
Picard is the type of player that gives you a taste of everything. Blessed with great hands and goal scoring instincts, the crafty forward goes to the net as well. Although his skating stride is not beautiful because of his hunched over style he gets where he needs to go. What is most remarkable about Picard is his physical play as well. While he is not as powerful or as tough as (top ranked prospect) Andrew Ladd, Picard’s physical presence is impressive considering the QMJHL’s penchant for producing soft but dynamic top offensive prospects. What should be noted is that Picard is by no means a true power forward. Instead, he’s a bit of a hybrid: goal scorer on one hand, sparkplug on the other. These types of players are rare in general, especially from the QMJHL. This combination can be seen in Edmonton Oilers’ star Ryan Smyth, who has scored 39 goals in the NHL while playing a well-rounded physical game. The only real problems with Picard are that he lacks consistency and will often neglect his defensive game entirely. That being said, these things often come with maturity. Picard was the Maineiacs leader on the ice last year, but needed to put forth a more consistent effort. Perhaps most importantly though, he had a strong playoff showing, putting up seven goals and 11 points in the Maineiacs only playoff series, which they lost in seven games.
Future
Although he has offensive abilities, they are not elite. He simply gets the job done, and there is no reason to expect he won’t continue to simply put up the points when he goes professional. If Picard can work on his defensive game and develop the consistency lacking in his game, he could eventually be a very good player who can play in any game situation and put up close to first line caliber points.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 10th 2008
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