A standout on the U18 USNT in the NTDP, Oliver Moore is another dynamic forward entering the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Moore is the eighth-ranked North American skater, per NHL Central Scouting.
On the U18 USNT in 2022-2023, Moore scored 75 points (31G, 44A) in 61 games, fourth on the team. In the U18 World Juniors, Moore scored nine points (4G, 5A) in seven games with a +6 rating. Team USA won the 2023 U18 World Juniors gold medal. In the lineup with Moore were other top prospects in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, such as Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabe Perreault.
Moore is committed to the University of Minnesota, beginning in 2023-2024.
Strengths
Standing at 5’11” and 188lbs, Moore has a frame that forces him to be elusive and quick. His skating stands out; blistering fast and arguably the best skater in the draft class. Moore is strong on his edges, very agile, and consistently burns defensemen. He already possesses the quality, speed skating that kills in the NHL.
In addition to his strong skating, his shooting ability is as impressive. Moore has a deadly wrist and snapshot, scoring with range. He can finish on the backhand, too. Like Bedard, Moore has an elite, powerful backhand shot. Combine his shooting and skating, and the Flyers have another threat on the powerplay.
Moore contributed to the success of the U18 USNT and U18 Team USA squads, displaying his hockey IQ and awareness. Crafty with the puck and patient under pressure, Moore kept plays alive in the offensive zone. Defensively, his skating is his best asset on the backcheck.
Two similar players in the NHL are Kirill Kaprizov and Cole Caufield.
Weaknesses
He is a quick, agile, and elusive skater, but Moore does need to improve his puck control. Moore can work himself into a corner, taking away passing options and turning the puck over. He tends to hesitate on simple plays, missing his play window at times, too.
Moore needs to put on more size and become stronger. It isn’t a deal-breaker; undersized players dominated the NHL in the past few seasons, proving to be game-changers. His competitive level will make up for what he lacks in size.
Does he fit Philadelphia?
Moore would fit in Philadelphia. He isn’t quite the ‘game-changer’ like Smith or Zach Benson, but Moore has the potential to be a top-line forward. Many GMs will like his speed, but his size and puck control could slip him down the draft board in the first round.
He will be available when the Flyers make their selection. In 2022-2023, he proved to be a reliable teammate on offense and defense, which John Tortorella appreciates. If Daniel Briere wants a fast forward responsible on both sides of the puck, Moore is an option.
(Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
