I was planning on listing Columbus prospect Gianluca Curucuto in my last “State of the Organization” post and had asked a Hockey Buzz friend of mind, Pete V, to do a little write-up on him. Pete V normally posts in the Rangers threads and has filled in on occasion for Jan Levine, the Rangers blogger on this site. Pete lives near Plymouth, Curcuruto’s Junior team and has had the chance to see the young defenseman several times. Pete watches a ton of hockey and has hit the nail on the head with other players; notably identifying Carl Hagelin as a legit NHL’er several years back when Hagelin was at Michigan and nearly no one on these boards had heard anything about him.

Pete exceeded my expectations and came through with a very thorough report on Curcuruto. Here’s what Pete V has to say:

I have seen Curcuruto play live about eight times this year, including in the OHL playoffs against the London Knights, Owen Sound Attack, and Sarnia Sting. As you know, I am just a fan and, therefore, will undoubtedly miss some of the subtleties that could make the difference in a player's long term prospects, but here is my objective analysis of Curcuruto.

Gianluca Curcuruto (Plymouth Whalers)
Age: 19
Height: 6'2
Weight: 192
Shoots: Left
Draft Position: 7th Round (182nd overall)
2012-2013 Stats: 67 games, 9 goals, 38 assists, 47 points, and +36. 6th in the league in +/- and 10th in the league in scoring amongst defensemen
2011-2012 Stats: 63 games, 3 goals, 13 assists, 16 points, and -14.
Nicknames: The Chin or Chinner (for his Jay Leno like chin).

Why even waste a write up on a guy that was drafted in the 7th round/182nd overall? He won't be any more than a late round flyer, with a small percentage shot of ever cracking an NHL lineup, right? Not so fast. In his draft year, Curcuruto was a huge disappointment on the Greyhounds blue line, posting a pedestrian stat line, and showing little or no potential to be able to make the jump to the NHL. As a result, Curcuruto's draft status plummeted from a possible 2nd/3rd round selection into the 7th round.

With Ryan Sproul (Red Wings draft pick) and Darnell Nurse (projected Top 15 pick) scheduled to play top line minutes on the Greyhounds blue line, Curcuruto was traded to the Plymouth Whalers where he experienced an immediate renaissance playing alongside of several NHL first rounders, including Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals), Stefan Noesen (Ottawa Senators), and Rickard Rakell (Anaheim Ducks), and OHL MVP Vince Trocheck (Florida Panthers). To say that Curcuruto blossomed, would be an understatement as he finished 6th in the entire OHL in +/- and 10th among defensemen in scoring.

So, what type of player is he? Curcuruto is a great straight line skater with above-average to great top end speed. As a result, he rarely ever gets beat to the outside, even by some of the OHL's elite skaters. He is the type of player that is good at everything, but perhaps not great at one particular thing, with the possible exception of his shot. Curcuruto has a cannon, which tops out in the mid-90's. If he adds a little weight and strength, I am pretty confident that he will serve as an effective point man on an NHL power play. With Plymouth, he saw a great deal of power play time, and along with Conner Carrick (Washington Capitals), effectively led a potent Whalers' attack with the extra man.

As for weaknesses, I think he needs to get bigger and stronger, insofar as I have noticed that bigger forwards can have their way with him at times along the defensive back walls. Moreover, while not a weakness, Curcuruto's breakout game, particularly his first pass out of the defensive zone can use some work. He is by no means deficient in these areas, but he will need to improve to play at the NHL level.

On a whole, I see Curcuruto as a second/third pair NHL defensemen that can play on an NHL power play, as he has an elite shot. I think the Jackets got a steal with this guy.

Thanks again to Pete for doing this favor for me. And I hope all of the Jackets fans on this board enjoy a look at one of Columbus’ unheralded prospects.

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