ittWelcome to your 2025 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered with everything you will need to be ready for the big event. This year’s draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles California. Today we bring you our Jack Nesbitt Scouting Report.
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Drafted in the first round (20th Overall) by Windsor in the 2023 OHL Draft, Jack Nesbitt had a breakout year in his NHL Draft campaign. After just nine goals and 18 points in his rookie year, Nesbitt became a key contributor to the Spitfires as a sophomore. He put up 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 65 regular season games. Nesbitt also added one goal and nine assists for 10 points in 12 playoff games.
Nesbitt joined team Canada for the Under-18 Worlds. He scored two goals and three assists for five points in six tournament games. Nesbitt helped Team Canada to a gold medal. It was a second taste of international success for Nesbitt, who also won a gold medal at the 2024 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, playing for Team Canada White. He had a goal and an assist for two points in that tournament.
Jack Nesbitt 2025 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Centre — shoots Left
Born January 12th, 2007 — Sarnia, Ontario
Height 6’4″ — Weight 185 lbs [193 cm/84 kg]
Skating
Nesbitt’s skating was a weakness during his OHL rookie season. However, the vast improvements he made this year have been a huge part of breakout season. He is much more effective in both ends of the ice. Nesbitt has a good first step. He also has good acceleration. He can quickly change speeds, fooling defenders, both with and without the puck. Nesbitt can get past a defender on the outside and cut to the front of the net. He also has decent speed and has no trouble keeping up with the play as well as getting in quickly on the forecheck.
Nesbitt’s size helps him against fellow teenagers. However, he has a bit of a tall and lanky frame. He will need to add core body strength before he is ready to play his game at the pro level. Nesbitt does a good job on the forecheck and protecting the puck against teenagers. He will need more strength and balance to continue to play this style of game at the next level.
Offensive Game
Jack Nesbitt is a very smart player. This helps him to create offence. He reads the play extremely well. Nesbitt protects the puck on the cycle and waits for his linemates to get open. Nesbitt has good vision and anticipation. When his teammate gets open, he is able to make a quick deke with his stick and open up a passing lane. His strong passing skills allow him to make a tape-to-tape pass to that linemate and set up a scoring chance. His ability to get in quickly on the forecheck, retrieving pucks or pressuring opposing defenders into mistakes. From there he can create offence through his puck possession skills.
Nesbitt can also score goals with a good shot and quick release. It can deceive goaltenders, allowing Nesbitt to score from further out. He also loves to get to the front of the net, both with and without the puck. Once there, his size creates havoc for opposing goalies. He also has the quick hands to get deflections or to pounce on rebounds and put the puck in the net. Nesbitt is not afraid of the dirty areas of the ice and is willing to use his size and strength to his advantage.
Defensive Game
Nesbitt uses his smarts and size in the defensive zone as well. His long stick effectively poke checks opponents and creates turnovers. He also uses it to cut down passing lanes and intercepts passing. Nesbitt uses smart positioning and good skating ability to take away the middle of the ice and force opponents into bad shooting positions. He uses his size and strength to support the defence against the cycle game and win battles along the boards in his own end. Nesbitt can use his leverage to help keep the front of the net clear for his goalie. Once a turnover is created, he is quick to move the puck out of the zone and transition offensively. He should be even better when he adds muscle to his frame.
Projection and Comparison
Nesbitt has the full package. He has the size, toughness, smarts, skating ability, and two-way game that will impress scouts and coaches at the NHL level. Nesbitt could use some time to continue to add muscle to his frame and continue to round out his game, and will likely be back with Windsor for a couple of seasons at the OHL level. He could also use some AHL time. Like many power forwards, Nesbitt is a long-term project. However, if he reaches his potential, he can become a top-six centre capable of playing in all situations, and matching up against any opponent. Nesbitt’s game is reminiscent of Morgan Geekie of the Boston Bruins, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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