2026.27 Evaluation Guide

1 — Rarely gets involved offensively; often standing and watching rather than moving to open ice.
2 — Gets into the play but in predictable spots; waits for the puck to come to them rather than creating separation.
3 — Moves to open ice and supports below the puck, but creativity or finishing lets them down at key moments.
4 — Consistently creates space and times entries well; occasionally forces a play instead of reading the better option.
5 — Constant threat every shift; creates offense off the rush and the cycle, drawing attention from multiple defenders.

1 — Gets beat wide or through the middle regularly; slow or absent on the backcheck.
2 — Closes gaps late, often a stride behind the play; tracks back but arrives after the damage is done.
3 — Maintains a reasonable gap most shifts; tracks back consistently but can be a step slow reading who to take.
4 — Tight gap control, closes quickly, and consistently wins the race back to the zone.
5 — Erases plays before they develop; first one back on every transition, anticipating rather than reacting.

1 — Skills break down as soon as pace or pressure increases; needs open ice and time to execute.
2 — Executes basics at a slower pace but rushes or fumbles plays once pressured.
3 — Executes cleanly at an average pace, with occasional miscues once the play speeds up.
4 — Maintains clean execution even under pressure and at a quicker pace.
5 — Executes difficult plays at full speed without hesitation, regardless of pressure.

1 — Avoids contact and puck battles; effort drops when the play gets physical or the score gets out of hand.
2 — Competes in short bursts; backs off after the first contact in a battle.
3 — Battles consistently for pucks, but doesn't always finish the battle.
4 — Wins the majority of puck battles through effort and body position; competes hard every shift.
5 — Refuses to lose a battle; sets the physical tone for their line on every shift.

1 — Frequently out of position; decisions are late or predictable, easily read by opponents.
2 — Understands basic positioning but hesitates under pressure, leading to rushed or overly safe decisions.
3 — Generally in the right spot; makes sound, if not always advanced, reads under pressure.
4 — Anticipates plays before they develop; makes quick, effective decisions even when pressured.
5 — Reads the game a step ahead of everyone else; decisions under pressure consistently create an advantage.