Gavin Brindley 2023 NHL Draft Profile

The 2023 NHL entry draft is 20 days away and there’s still plenty of interesting prospects to cover. One of those prospects is University of Michigan right wing, Gavin Brindley. Brindley brings a lot to the ice for his size and is one of the more underrated players in this draft class. He is projected to go anywhere from 15th to 30th overall.

Who is Gavin Brindley?

Player	Position	Handedness	Height	Weight
Gavin Brindley	RW	Right	5’9″	157lbs

Gavin Brindley’s on-ice production

Year	Draft Relative	League	Team	GP	G	A	P
2019-20	D-3	NAPHL 16U	Florida Alliance 16U AAA	15	17	25	42
2020-21	D-2	USHL	Tri-City Storm	51	9	13	22
2021-22	D-1	USHL	Tri-City Storm	51	14	28	42
		NTDP	U.S. National Team U18 Team	15	2	7	9
		WJC-18	USA U18	6	1	3	4
2022-23	D+0	NCAA	University of Michigan	41	12	26	38
		WJC-20	USA U20	7	1	3	4

Gavin Brindley’s stats go back to when he was playing 16U AAA in Florida. That season, Brindley had a really impressive stat line of 17 goals, 25 assists for 42 points in 15 games. That was good enough for a points per game of 2.8 and goals per game of 1.13. He then made his way to the USHL where he joined the Tri-City Storm. In his first year with them, Brindley’s production was a bit underwhelming. Within 51 games played, Brindley found the back of the net only 9 times and picked up 13 assists for a total of 22 points. Moving onto the 2021-22 season, Brindley had a way better year. He almost doubled his production of the previous season putting up 42 points in the same amount of games. Later that season, Brindley joined the USNTDP and played for their U18 team where picked up a solid 9 points in 15 games. Finishing off with this past season, his draft year, Brindley decided to commit to the NCAA and became a member of a stacked University of Michigan team. Brindley had a strong season potting 12 goals, grabbing 26 assists, totaling out to 38 points. Only Adam Fantilli logged more ice time per game than him on Michigan. Sadly, Brindley and Michigan made it all the way to the Frozen Four finals, but loss to Quinnipiac University.

When it comes to representing his country on the ice, Brindley has done it a couple of times. The first major time was in 2022 where he suited up for the USA at the U18 World Championship. He helped the US reach the gold medal game with his 4 points in 6 games, but unfortunately for him and his team, the gold medal game did not go their way and lost 6-4 to Sweden. The second major time was in the following season, this past Christmas time at the 2023 World Juniors. The USA did not make the gold medal game like last time Brindley played for them, but they did make the bronze medal game where they narrowly beat Sweden in overtime with a score of 8-7. At this tournament, Brindley had 4 points in 7 games.

Brindley’s strengths

Motor/Work Ethic

Gavin Brindley’s strongest strength is the motor he has. Brindley is always moving. He plays with energy and want. He will work from anyway where, whether it’s the defensive or offensive zone. When he’s being defended it doesn’t stop him from getting open and he has a knack for finding open space. When he’s given minimal space to move, he can sometimes create that needed space on his own. He gets into the dirtier areas of the game and will work for a goal. Hunting down rebounds, standing in front of the net for tips, you name it, Brindley probably does it. Brindley uses his stick effectively and can often take opponents out of the play with a quick stick lift. For a guy his size, he does well at protecting the puck and keeping the puck on his stick. His determination and fearlessness allows him to carry the puck through the neutral zone even though the players he’s staring down are likely bigger than him.

Skating

If not for his work ethic, Brindley’s best attribute would be his skating. Brindley has fast top end speed and has the explosiveness to reach it quickly. He can separate himself from opponents with this speed and create dangerous chances. His speed helps be one of the best transition players in the draft. Alongside his speed, Brindley’s edgework is great, maybe even better. He uses his edgework to make quick and shifty movements. The shiftiness of his movement can cause defenders to be left with ankles broken as well as dumbfounded. Just like with his speed, Brindley can use his edges to create separation between him and his opponents. There is some consistency issues with his skating, but if he can round them out, the team that drafts him is in for a treat.

Passing

Brindley possesses some very good passing and is a mix of simple but effective and flashy. He’ll make plays like between the legs or drop back passes when they work in his current situation and they almost always connect. He can make successful passes at high-end speed which helps through transition and while running a cycle. He can make good long passes and good short passes. His simple passes get the job done and reduce the amount of turnovers. One thing that can confuse his opponents is often his movement will make it unclear if he’s about to pass or shoot which can cause for some pretty nice plays to be set up.

Brindley’s areas of improvement

In my opinion, there’s no real area of struggle in Brindley’s game except for his size. His size may hold him back at the next level and as well stops him from engaging in physical play he probably wants to considering his motor. When it comes to skills like passing, shooting, skating, offensive and defensive game, etc. there’s none that Brindley really struggles with. He’s a full package player but I think the biggest problem for him is he lacks high-end skill. The only part of his game to me that’s high-end is his work ethic and motor. Usually when a player’s best attribute is their work ethic, they only end up as a complimentary player whether that’s in the bottom, middle, or top six of the lineup.

Gavin Brindley’s comparables

I think Gavin Brindley’s comparison is likely Philadelphia Flyer, Travis Konecny. Both have solid passing and shooting skills tied in with some very good skating. They also have high motors and work ethic that allow them to put up good production.

Fit with the Flames

If the Flames want to ensure that their pick makes the NHL, they will probably take a long look at Gavin Brindley. He doesn’t necessarily fit a positional need as Flames top prospect, Matt Coronato, also plays right wing, but other than him it does look bleak, so maybe. I don’t think the Flames should take Brindley with at 16th overall, but if they somehow acquire another first then go for it. If Brindley somehow falls into the second round, the Flames should try and pounce on the opportunity as he’s easily a first round talent, but his size may see him fall.

Summary

Gavin Brindley is an underrated prospect in this upcoming NHL draft. He’s an all around player that has a great motor and is full of energy. He’s a first round talent but probably shouldn’t go in the top 16 unless some team really likes him. His range is weird as to me he could just be a bottom-six scorer, but he also may become a steal and end up as a top-line player.

Risk: 2/5

Reward: 4/5

Projection: Top-six, two-way scoring forward

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Drew OstmoenJune 10, 2023

5 minutes read