Welcome 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 Murtagh Scouting Report.

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The United States National Team Development Program has been producing top-quality NHL prospects for years. This year’s top forward is Jack Murtagh. He scored 22 goals and 31 assists for 53 points in 56 games with the Under-18 team this season. He also helped the American team finish in third place and win a bronze medal at the IIHF Under-18s. Murtagh scored two goals and four assists for six points in seven tournament games. He also put up two goals in two games at the USHL-CHL Prospects Challenge.

Last season, Murtagh scored 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points in 53 games with the Under-17 team. He also played for Team USA at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge winning a silver medal. Murtagh scored four goals and three assists for seven points in seven tournament games.

Jack Murtagh NHL Draft Scouting Report

Left Wing/Centre — shoots Left
Born August 22nd, 2007 — East Greenbush, New York
Height 6’1″ — Weight 200 lbs [185 cm/91 kg]

Skating

Murtagh’s strong skating ability is the basis of an excellent two-way game. He has very good acceleration and excellent speed. With his ability to change speeds, Murtagh can fool defenders both with and without the puck. He can take a defender wide and cut to the net. He also gets in quickly on the forecheck, allowing Murtagh to pressure defenders and force turnovers. His agility and edgework are decent but could use some work. He loses some speed and power when he needs to make a tight turn or move laterally.

Murtagh could also get stronger on his skates.  He does well enough against teenagers in terms of maintaining balance, fighting through checks and winning battles on the boards. However, he can struggle against bigger, stronger players in the US NTDP’s games against college opponents. This should be something that improves as he gets stronger.

Offensive Game

Jack Murtagh plays a heavy, power-forward style of game. He uses his skating to get up and down the wing quickly. Murtagh gets in quickly on the forecheck. He loves to battle along the boards as well as cause traffic in front of the net. Murtagh is a natural goal scorer. He has a hard and heavy wrist shot. It features a quick release that can fool goalies. Without the puck, Murtagh has a knack for finding open space. He can get to the front of the net, where he has the quick hands to bang in rebounds, get deflections, or score on a quick one-timer.

Murtagh is also a good passer. He can set up teammates for scoring chances both on the rush and when controlling the puck down low in the cycle game. Murtagh uses his size and ability to battle in order to force opponents into turnovers and create offence. He could use some work on his stickhandling and decision making though. There are times when Murtagh tries to beat one defender too many and skates himself into a turnover. He will need to make sure to keep the puck moving at the pro level. He is more of a support forward on a line and defers to teammates to skate the puck through the neutral zone and generate efficient zone entries.

Defensive Game

Murtagh is a solid defensive player. He works hard in all three zones and supports the defence with effective back pressure and in working to contain the cycle game. He is willing to use his size and strength to battle in his own zone. Murtagh is also well positioned without the puck. He uses his long, active stick to cut down passing lanes and poke-check opponents. Once a turnover is created, Murtagh uses his quick first step and acceleration to retrieve loose pucks. He is quick to move the puck up the ice and start the transition game with a quick first pass.

Projection and Comparison

Murtagh is committed to playing for the Boston University Terriers next season. The lighter, weekend based schedule in the NCAA should allow him to spend time in the weight room and bulk up. He should also contend for a place on the American team at the World Juniors. Expect him to spend a year or two in college before he is ready to turn pro. While he will likely never be a huge point getter, he has the potential to be a two-way winger, playing in the top six and contributing on both special teams. Murtagh is likely two or three years away from making an NHL impact. His game is reminiscent of Zach Hyman. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Main Photo: Joe Camporeale- Imagn Images