https://thehockeywriters.com/riley-kidney-2021-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

Fantasy Summary

A very crafty forward that uses his high-end puck skills to create offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates.


Observations

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May 2023 – The ‘Adam Nicholas Effect’ is no more evident than in Riley Kidney. Who was an entirely perimeter playmaker with serious defensive question marks has become an impressively projectable middle-six winger. He attacks the middle much more, and he has become more creative in evading big hits into the boards. His slight frame will make him an easy target in the AHL next season (most likely), but it will allow him to display exactly what type of pro player he can become. If he hits, he could become a very fun player for Habs fans, or a fantastic trade chip with the Canadiens’ impressive quantity of middle-six forwards. Aaron Itovitch

April 2022 – Kidney has produced very well in his D+1 season in the QMJHL on an excellent Acadie Bathurst team, building upon his hot streak in last year’s playoffs. Kidney is a talented playmaker with good hands and skill. He has scored his fair share of highlight-reel goals this season, but concerns about his projectability remain. While Kidney has the skill to exploit QMJHL-level defence, he relies upon the extra time and space he will not have at the pro level. He is also pushed to the perimeter in the offensive zone on almost every possession. Struggling to attack the middle against the weak defences of the QMJHL demonstrates Kidney’s biggest hurdle in transitioning his offensive skill and production to the next level. However, if he is able to adapt his game and learn to attack the middle with his hands and his playmaking abilities, he has the upside to turn into a creative second liner. Sebastian High

 

July 2021 – Kidney had a very productive regular season for Acadie-Bathurst with 38 points in 33 games, he then followed it up with an even more impressive playoffs notching 17 points in nine games. In the combined 55 points he score in the regular season and playoffs, 41 of them came at even strength or shorthanded. This bodes well for a player who will likely get more power play opportunity in his draft+1 season. Kidney was drafted in the second round at 63 overall. Pablo Ruiz

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 7.0
NHL Certainty 7.0
Country CAN
Position C
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Right
Date of Birth March 25, 2003
Height 6‘0”
Weight 176 lbs
Drafted 2021 Round 2; Overall: 63

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2016-2017 ACA Rangers U15NSU15MHL33 11 2334 8|Playoffs2 2 35
  Team Nova Scotia U14 (ACC)ACC-U145 6 410 4|        
 2017-2018 ACA Rangers U15NSU15MHL32 34 4680 46|Playoffs2 3 36
  Team Nova Scotia U15 (ACC)ACC-U155 1 12 2|        
 2018-2019 Cole Harbour Wolfpack U18NSU18MHL35 19 2847 43|Playoffs10 3 912
  Team Nova Scotia CWG6 0 22 2|        
  Team Nova Scotia QGC-165 3 25 0|        
 2019-2020 Acadie-Bathurst TitanQMJHL59 5 2833 26|        
  Canada White U17WHC-176 2 35 6|        
 2020-2021 Acadie-Bathurst TitanQMJHL33 13 2538 16|Playoffs9 2 1517 12 
 2021-2022 Acadie-Bathurst TitanQMJHL66 30 70100 56|Playoffs8 2 68 10 
  Canada U20WJC-203 0 00 0|        
 2022-2023 Acadie-Bathurst TitanQMJHL31 14 3145 28|        
  Gatineau OlympiquesQMJHL29 14 5165 20|Playoffs13 6 1622
 2023-2024 Laval RocketAHL57 7 1219 35|        

Highlights