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Julian Lutz Is Getting Last Minute Draft Attention

Julian Lutz is a center who only played in 14 games for Munchen in the DEL. While he did play in the U18s and was a point-per-game, I confess I lost track of him. I lost the thread. It’s easy to do when you’re looking at so many players to rank. And that’s where the combine comes in. It gives you another chance and the player another chance to get his name out there.

Lutz played for the RB Hockey Akademie and had interesting things to say about the program. Another player who was in the program was J.J. Peterka who was drafted 34th overall by Buffalo.

“They helped me so much. It was the biggest part of my development,” said Lutz. “So many great coaches. They wanted to make us better. The infrastructure is so great. It’s the best place in Germany.”

Lutz has a February birthday and is just 18. In 2020, at the age of 16, he made his debut for Munchen. The Soo Greyhounds own his rights. It’s still an option considering he missed that time this year, but that will be up to the team who drafts him. There’s a good chance he will go back to Germany for one more season and then the AHL.

Lutz considers Peterka a friend.

“I consider him a friend. We played together for in Salzburg (ICEHL) two years, and we know each other pretty well,” Lutz divulged. “So far, I have taken a similar path to JJ, and he’s a guy I look up to.”

Knowing that he could go late in the first or somewhere in the second round, Lutz is kind of a unicorn. He’s an x-factor who at some point a team will take a chance on him without a ton of viewings.

“Both the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning talked to me at the combine. It went great,” Lutz revealed. “They are awesome teams I like watching good teams and this year especially Florida was very good. Same as Tampa. I like both of these teams.”

Lutz can play center or wing. At 6-2, 190 pounds, he has a frame teams are looking for. Here’s my take: 

He is good on the power play. Strong one-timer. Good, long skating strides. Never gives up on a play. He can dangle. Takes hits and gives them back too. Adept passer. He is good with the shot pass too. 

Could the Maple Leafs select him at 25? The Buffalo Sabres might take him 28th. If not, the Tampa Bay Lightning could take him with their pick at 31 or 32. Both could find it too risky at that point. The Philadelphia Flyers would have to trade into the second or white knuckle it to the third and “hope” he is still there. The Panthers have a third-round pick, and they can hope he drops to them or they might try and move up in that round if they get a chance. There’s no definite spot that Lutz will be selected that’s for sure.

For more hockey stories, look for my “Tales of the NHL Draft” stories on Kindle Vella

Russ_Cohen
I'm the author of 10 books. If you're looking for autographed copies just go to my Twitter @Sportsology and DM me.

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