Antonia Bucatini Scouting Report

[CowboyinAmerica 2,709]

Antonia Bucatini Scouting Report

 

Name: Antonia Bucatini
Position: C
Hometown: Rome, Italy
Team: TBD

 

As the newest prospects for the VHL’s Season 93 Draft begin to filter their way into the VHLM, there is unexpected one name that has garnered some intrigue. Center Antonia Bucatini comes from the hockey not-so-hotbed of Naples, Italy, meaning that she hasn’t been as highly scouted as the typical American, Canadian or Northern European player. But that does not mean her skills are unserious - on the contrary, in fact.

 

In limited looks, Bucatini has wowed scouts with her combination of playmaking and pinpoint shooting. Her drive and determination have also turned heads as well, leading some scouts to believe that she could be a future star in the VHL. However, at her diminutive size and with a general lack of checking skill and physical play, scouts also concede that she has plenty of room to grow before becoming a real force.

 

What should VHLM, VHLE and VHL teams expect from Antonia Bucatini? Here’s some of her strengths and weaknesses heading into her first games in the pros.

 

Pros

 

Playmaking: In an age where everybody wants to score, distributors may seem increasingly rare. But Bucatini is a player focused on team goals, not necessarily her own production. Skilled at the art of the extra pass, she’s been known to be an excellent fast break starter and would be good to pair with a high-powered wing.

 

Face-offs: The art of the face-off may be lost in many VHLM and VHLE circles, but it would not be with Bucatini. She comes into the league with a decently strong face-off percentage as a true center, and that figure is only expected to increase over time as she plans on perfecting the craft.

 

Longevity: Having recently been picked up by a player agency with a VHL pedigree, many scouts expect that Bucatini has a bright future. While there may be some concerns about her absolutely maximizing her skill (more on that in a second), those around her believe she will absolutely be a consistent presence at practice and is likely to go all eight seasons in her career.

 

Cons

 

Physical Play: Let’s call a spade a spade: Bucatini isn’t the type to move somebody off of the puck. Much preferring to skate around players and identify a pinpoint pass, Bucatini’s size and lack of physicality may run her into some problems against larger defenders and physical forwards.

 

Leadership: Some teams picking high in drafts may be looking for a vocal leader, somebody to rally the players in the locker room and get everybody on the same page in the game. That’s not Bucatini. While she does do a certain element of leading by example, a more soft-spoken nature means she won’t be the most vocal in the locker room or to the press.

 

Ceiling: While Bucatini is viewed as a high floor player, she may also not have the Hall of Fame ceiling that some teams are looking for. Compared with past players from her agency, there are rumors that Bucatini may be content not maxing out at practice each week, doing a solid job but not spectacular. In terms of past agency players, think more Lance Flowers than Xavier Booberry.

[Lemorse7 898]

First OA pick I can see the future 

[eagle_3450 278]

2 hours ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

 

 

would be good to pair with a high-powered wing.

 

 

 

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