2019 Draft Countdown No. 5: Peyton Krebs

Peyton Krebs is a potent point-producer and offensive catalyst that rises to the occasion whenever he’s on the ice. He is a smooth, shifty skater that traverses all three zones with ease and closes the gap on the backcheck quickly. Defensively, his understanding of the game communicates itself through his proactive positioning and an active, lane-disrupting stick. Willing to go to the dirty areas and fight for the puck, but isn’t at his best there. Offensively, below the opposition’s blue line, he is an electric, dominant force that showcases excellent decision-making and undeniable puck skills. He’s aggressive, but never takes stupid penalties that will put his team in disadvantage state. Krebs’ hockey sense is on full display when he’s making moves, creating space, and orchestrating opportunities for himself and linemates. All-in-all, Peyton Krebs is an exciting mix of speed, skill, smarts, and hard-nosedness in all three zones. He’s got a very high ceiling. – Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects 

The supremely skilled forward is elusive and shifty with the puck. Takes creative lines to dangerous areas of the ice. The type of player that sees plays develop before those around him and uses that to exploit the opposition. Owns terrific puck skills. First-line talent with a fourth-line work ethic. A playmaker who can impact the game on any shift. Everything runs through him in Kootenay… I mean Winnipeg. – Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects 

Spirited competitor with skill and competitiveness. He was the top pick in the Bantam draft. Dynamic game changing centre-forward with above average skills in all areas and a player who leads by example. Despite not being a big man, he plays a high energy, no shift off game. Has a strong defense zone presence, and battles hard in all three zones and all the gritty areas. Excellent skater with a long stride, who uses his edges and body to separate himself and not hemmed in, always has enough room to find his teammates or pick a corner with a hard snapper. Displays terrific vision and feel on the attack. Very good face off man, and one of the best in junior at making the right decision of whether to shoot or to pass on every given play. Can no look pass with the best of them. Can play both positions as he ascends to higher levels. A true on ice leader who gives it all shift after shift. – Bill Placzek, Draft Site

Complete all-around center who last season had to carry the load for one of the CHL’s weaker teams after being one of the WHL’s top rookies the season prior. Krebs produces results no matter what role he’s given, and plays with the kind of competitive spirit that can become infectious. He’s incredibly smart with or without the puck, and Krebs thrives under pressure, especially late in games. He’s a very good skater with excellent balance and agility, and his ability to turn quickly and react towards the right direction makes him an asset in all three zones. He plays with a nonstop motor and forces opposing defensemen into poor decisions with the puck. Krebs is a clever stickhandler who can weave through a crowded neutral zone; but making smart, crisp passes immediately thereafter is what separates from most of his draft-age peers. He can run a power play from the half wall, but also anchor a top penalty killing unit.

Krebs is more of a pass-first center, but he has very good hands and proved to be reliable as a shooter off the pass. His wrist shot is hard and accurate, and bad-angle shots get kicked into the low slot with regularity. He is excellent during cycles and board play, and he’s capable of engineering trick or set plays off faceoffs or corner battles. Krebs can handle physical play from bigger opponents and finishes his own checks with authority. His leadership traits and on-ice persona should make him a candidate to one day be named any team’s captain. – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst