Brad Lambert is a great-skating forward with the offensive tools to be an elite player, while also showing large flaws that justify his plummet down NHL Draft boards. Comfortably, he is a top skater in this year’s class. Aided by the wider ice in Finland, he uses this skill to be a constant threat in transition. He has two main threats when in the offensive zone. First, his vision can find open teammates’ sticks and set them up with great chances. When not given the space to fire off these special passes, he can easily create that space. His great hands, aided by strong skating, makes him shifty and slippery for opposing defenders. His vision and puck skills are also among the top of his class. His shot is fairly average among first-round caliber players, but is also a secondary part of his game. In the offensive zone, there is some fair criticism of his game. Far too often, he can go for a home run when more practical options are available. He is less adept in the defensive zone, too. He struggles on defensive zone coverage. Additionally, risky plays at the offensive blue line and neutral zone can also harm his team when he does not capitalize. And, of course, the lacking point production is a major red flag. He is a risky prospect, but his game tape shows a massively gifted offensive threat with the potential to be a great playmaking center in the NHL. Due to his struggles in Finland this season, it would not be surprising to see him continue his development in North America, either at the AHL or in the CHL. Lambert is comfortably a top-10 talent in the draft, with potential to be a great play-driving center in an NHL top-six should he pan out. The question is whether or not he will overcome his flaws to.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide