With the second of their second-round picks, the Sharks selected Swiss forward Noah Rod 53rd overall. Rod scored 16 goals and 37 points in 31 games playing for the under-20 affiliate of Geneve-Servette of the National League A, Switzerland’s top men’s league. Rod was ranked 27th among European skaters by Central Scouting and is considered a hard-working, gritty winger. Ben Kerr of Last Word On Sports ranked Rod 84th overall in his pre-draft rankings. Here’s his scouting report:
A Swiss forward who plays a North American style mixing plenty of grit and mixing it with some skill. He forechecks hard, and wins a lot of board battles. Will drive the net when he does have the puck on his stick. His skating speed is decent, but his edgework and agility are very good which make him very slippery in the offensive zone. Already well-developped in terms of his two-way game.
Elite Prospects largely seems to echo that report:
Rod is a physical, hard working winger who likes to get his nose dirty and get under the skin of his opponent. He drives the net and stands up for his teammates. Willing to do whatever is needed to get the win, he is a tireless fore checker and defensively responsible. Does not possess high end offensive upside.
That last sentence is rather concerning, especially since high-upside offensive talent like center Brayden Point was still on the board when the Sharks made their selection, but perhaps Rod’s draft-year production (albeit in a weak league) indicates he has some skill to go along with his tenacity. I just hope he makes the NHL for the Simpsons references:
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