KRISTIAN EPPERSON

2025-02-03

Scout: Austin Kelly

Skating:

Epperson is a smooth skater who excels in transition. He's quick footed and moves the puck well.

Passing/Handling:

Epperson is a strong playmaker who is constantly active with the puck. He's a great puck activator who's able to generate chances on entries and spots his teammates well. He's constantly keeping pucks on his stick and rarely turn over the puck thanks to good control.

Shooting:

Solid shooter who doesn't take many poor shot chances. Of course with that doesn't lead to a higher quantity of goals but he's a fine scorer even if it's secondary to passing.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Epperson's IQ is really strong. Advanced puck awareness and predicting clearly going on. He does well screening plays and doing the correct thing in execution.

Forechecking:

Defense:

This is what made Kristian Epperson go undrafted the first time around. Epperson isn't a poor defender, as the effort is there, but in a bottom-six role with the American U18's, it was evident the defensive oriented role he was put into didn't work. Being on the top-six has erased the average defensive game Epperson is, but again the effort and intensity are there.

Best Asset:

Epperson is a relentless player who's consistently impacting play. He does a lot of the little things on the ice and doesn't cheat his way to chances. His high-energy offensive game and puck skills aren't just making him a surefire overage pick, but one drafted incredibly high this time around.

Biggest Concern:

The biggest concern about Epperson isn't anything he's done this season, but what happened last season. It was a bit of a worry that being put in the spot of a bottom-six defensive player that Epperson faltered with the pressure. If he's not a top-six player at the NHL level, does he have the strength to hang in a more physically challenging bottom-six? It's not a certainty.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Potential is a top-six forward who could play on a NHL power play. Similarities somewhat to Michael Bunting in his game as a top projection.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Epperson has shown when he's given a chance to create he'll take it. If Epperson gets bigger and stronger, there's a real chance that he's a translatable 50-55 point player. Has the energy and intensity to get points.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Middle-six energy forward with 30-40PT potential. Possible PP2 option on a team needing scoring.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Epperson is an overager and with any overager there's always a question of ceiling. Epperson has perhaps the highest amount of ceiling in an undrafted D+1 prospect in the past few years, but it's still uncertain how much will translate. Things didn't always work out in the NTDP. Will we see at a higher level NTDP Epperson or OHL Epperson?

Stylistic Comparable:

There's a bit of Michael Bunting in Epperson's high-energy, pressuring offense. His ability to fight for pucks and dominate in transition are reminiscent. Like Bunting, Epperson is not the biggest player but isn't afraid to challenge opponents.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Epperson is a player who should be a top-75 prospect in this class, but as an overager you're probably not getting the best case scenario with Epperson, but even with the age factor he's still a projectable NHLer who's fixing the flaws that cost him the first time over.

Games Scouted:

"Kristian Epperson

Jan 23, 2025 - Windsor vs Kingston"