2021 Flames First Round Targets: Francesco Pinelli

Pinelli’s edgework and overall skating abilities are fantastic. He’s dynamic and deceptive, and he showed an ability to be able to effectively utilize the 10-and-2 skating style to deceive opponents in different areas of the ice. He makes really tight turns and can change direction on a dime. He utilizes weight shifts to move quickly around defenders, bursting with some speed as he adjusts his pace on the fly. The fearlessness he shows is impressive. He constantly tries to push through traffic. Sometimes it pays off, other times he puck-handles himself into a turnover.

The talking point with Pinelli’s game is his skating ability. A strong linear skater, Pinelli has a good top gear that does allow him to play with pace and back down defenders while in possession of the puck. He is also strong on his skates, allowing him to win battles along the wall and drive the net with authority. However, Pinelli’s startups lack power and this can prevent him from creating the kind of separation he desires when attempting to enter the zone. Pinelli also lacks a dynamic quality to his stride, showing an inability to alter direction when in full stride or utilize linear crossovers to build speed alternatively. His base mechanics are strong, however working with skating coaches will be required to help him become a better overall mover. This will be critical for his future success at the NHL level.