Early in Cole Perfetti’s NHL career, it’s clear that much of the game flows through him, even with established top forwards on his line. 

It’s not always readily apparent. Perfetti doesn’t overwhelm with speed, handling skill, or physicality. Instead, he operates in the spaces between; the areas of the rink and plays that are often overlooked in favour of their flashier versions.

Last season, I wrote as much. His game was, and is, based on anticipation, timing, and deception rather than outracing or overpowering opponents. When most players hit on the gas, he delayed. When they rushed to the net, he snuck off into space. When they deked, he passed. 

In the OHL and AHL, Perfetti was, in short, the rare combination of high volume and high efficiency – creating heaps of chances with minimal wasteful touches.

So, how has this analysis held up through Perfetti’s rookie season? Let’s find out.