Stankoven is effective in all three zones, but his best offensive skill is his ability to transition the puck with speed and push the puck deep into the offensive zone. Stankoven also does an incredible job of reading the play and anticipating where the puck is going to be. He attacks space with blistering pace from the moment he steps on the ice and his buzzsaw game-style is noticeable in all three zones. He has an electric shot and generates a ton of torque through his hands. He is also very detailed in his shot placement and has an excellent sense of where the goalie is weakest. While his shot is a major weapon, Stankoven’s goal scoring prowess is also aided by his willingness to go to the greasy areas on the ice. His skating abilities are generally a strength however his stride is not picture perfect. He cuts his stride a bit short on the follow through and combined with initial length shortcomings due to his size, he’s often at a deficit in efficiency when it comes to a straight-line race. He makes up for this however with scorching foot-speed and a seemingly endless acceleration curve. He is continuously driving his feet and his edgework and balance over his blades is top notch. His ability to reload and shift weight between each quick stride allows him to dart in any direction at the drop of a dime. He uses this to great effect both in creating space along the wall but also in his pursuit of the defender on the forecheck. He is so difficult to shake loose as he can match every stutter, feign, or spin that an opposition puck carrier might throw at him. He is currently a much stronger off-the-puck player, where he can catch and release, than he is carrying the puck for extended durations. There are occasions when he seems to struggle a bit identifying options and he is very quick to dump and chase. He has the abilities with his hands and feet to create the time and space necessary for himself to make a smart play however he currently lacks a consistent commitment to do so. Defensively, he shows a good mix of positioning and aggressiveness however his lack of size is noticeable below the goal line when dealing with the cycle.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide