Is 2024 draft prospect Luca Marrelli a fit for the Calgary Flames prospect pool?
2 days ago
The Calgary Flames could pick up some defencemen on the second day of the draft.
Friday is Day 1 of the draft, as there’ll be 32 picks, with the Flames owning the ninth-overall and the 28th-overall. Saturday will see rounds 2-7, with the Flames having seven picks, including two in the second round.
The prospect we’ll look at in this article, Luca Marrelli, could be available in the second or third round.
Luca Marrelli scouting report and profile
Right-shot defence, born Oct. 4, 2005, in Toronto, Ontario, 6’2”, 185 lbs
Marrelli has played three seasons for the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League. As is the case for many players as they grow older, Marrelli’s most recent season was his best, scoring a career-high six goals and 57 points in 67 games. He also played 21 postseason games, scoring two goals and 13 points, helping the Generals go to the OHL finals.
Like many players expected to be chosen on the second day, Marrelli’s ranking varies drastically depending on the publication. Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino has him at 32nd, the highest ranking the 18-year-old was given. The lowest was from FCHockey, who has Marrelli 97th, while Elite Prospects has him 92nd (and 68th in the consolidated ranking).
His most common ranking is where teams will pick early in round three. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler has him ranked 73rd, while Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff has Marrelli ranked as the 84th-best draft prospect. Smaht Scouting has him ranked 79th.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler points to his good skating ability and likes to be active in play. Marrelli has good poise, which paired with his confidence, allows him to skate along the blue line with the puck. Off the puck, he’ll make mistakes, but he’s a smart player who could become a third pairing defenceman in the future.
Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff ranks Marrelli 84th, noting he’s a “solid skater” which helped boost production in 2023-24, as he went from 28 points in 57 points. Good size on the right-shot defenceman, and is confident with the puck.
Josh Tessler of Smaht Scouting points to his ability to break the puck out of his zone, leading to some odd-man rushes. However, Tesla believes he needs to be more aggressive defensively, but has good positioning. He doesn’t force plays in the offensive zone.
Ranked as EliteProspect’s 68th best-prospect, his scouting report from the EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide says the following:
“Luca Marrelli is a high-activity defenceman, jumping into every play and locking down every attacker who enters his space. Knees bent and stick sheathed, ready to land a pokecheck, he backtracks against the rush, waiting for the right moment to launch himself at opponents.”
Although it may take longer for Marrelli to develop, he has a good ceiling to be a useful bottom pairing right-shot defenceman who can skate well. Picking him early in the third round would be a good decision for the Flames.
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