Tyler Biggs lets his name be his scouting report. The Loveland, Ohio native looks like he could play linebacker at 6'2” and 210 pounds at 18 years old instead of being a first round draft prospect in hockey.
“Power winger who can play a big man's game up and down the wing,” an NHL scout told me. “Big and strong who runs over people when he wants too. Has good skill to complement good size and strength.”
It wasn't much surprise at the NHL Draft Combine that Biggs scored in the top 10 for most of the power test but there is a lot more to Biggs than just his size and strength.
It doesn't take long for scouts and experts alike to move away from his physical size and start talking about the big character that this kid has. He was a unanimous choice as captain of the U.S. U-18 National Team Development Program that plays in the USHL during this season.
“He has that leadership quality, that desire, that passion, that competitiveness,” Jack Barzee from Central Scouting said. “He just never quits. He's a young player who has taken the role as leader of his team. He does most of their fighting when they have to fight. He's kind of the guy that when someone starts picking on somebody, he's standing up for them.”
A lot of times scouts will have a little different feeling on a player or questions for some. With Biggs it is unanimous that this player will be a leader on a NHL team someday.
“He is the type of player that every coach wants on their team,” HockeyProspect.com stated about him. “Tyler will go through a wall for his teammates. Biggs is a true ‘team-first’ guy who will impress NHL teams come pre-draft interview time in Toronto. Biggs’ scoring touch has improved slightly, which makes his stock rise as a power forward who can also chip in on the scoreboard a little bit.”
With Biggs size, character and skill makes him a very safe pick and also a player that will have a shorter curve to the NHL due to his NHL ready body. The question is whether he will be a top 6 forward or be a bruising third line checking forward. It all depends on if Biggs can improve his scoring touch. Considered a very coachable but most consider scoring a god given talent versus something that can be taught. He scored 17 goals in 48games with the U.S. Development Team this season and some believe that being captain may have effected his scoring totals.
Barzee is one that believes that, “I think while wearing the 'C' may have taken a little away from his offensive finish, my gut feeling is that I can't think of anything else but an uphill path for Tyler.”
His size and character give NHL general managers little pause in making Biggs their selection but the question on whether he can ever produce in the scoring department will have the hulking winger slide into the later parts of the first round as you don't want to use high draft picks for third line wingers.
There is no question though that who ever adds Biggs to their franchise will be get a player that will give you all he can and then some and make his coaches and teammates very happy that he's on their side.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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