Elias really made a name for himself for Germany at this past World Juniors, drawing the attention of the scouting community. He is a small centre, but plays a really solid 200-foot game, supporting play well in the offensive zone and doing a great job of getting back deep into his own zone to disrupt opposing control. Works all over the ice. Reacts quickly to what’s going on around him. His skating isn’t perfect or pretty, but when he wants to turn on the jets and sprint down the ice with the puck he possesses some great speed to do so. Can carry the puck out of his own end and transition it up the ice with control. Displays some good hands and puck protection. His edges are solid, and when he lifts his feet and starts mixing in those crossovers he can be quite dynamic, including owning some solid acceleration, helping him win races to the puck. In the offensive zone he’s always fighting to get the inside lane on the rush, battling for positioning. Follows through in his checks even though he’s not the biggest player, but knows how to cut through the opponent’s hands to separate them from the puck. While a solid support player overall, on occasion he can get lost floating around the middle of the defensive zone, not necessarily covering anyone in particular, just taking up space. He sometimes does this in the offensive zone as well, but more actively moves his feet to get himself into better positioning. Being a smaller player, he does struggle at times against bigger players in puck battles. Can try to do too much on his own with the puck at times, resulting in turnovers, but you like that he tries to be a difference-maker. If Elias does make it to the next level it will be on the wing and playing a puck-transition and playmaker role.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide