Height: 6-1
Weight: 208 lbs.
Born: July 24, 1975 in Duluth, Minnesota
Drafted: Selected by the Dallas Stars in the second round (35th pick overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
Second NHL season.
Tied for third on team in assists and game-winning goals.
Third on team in power-play goals and shooting percentage.
Missed one game with whiplash injury.
Langenbrunner has terrific hand skills. He is intelligent and poised with the puck, and can play as a centre or a right wing. In a pinch, he will even play the left side. He has good hockey vision and can pick his spots for shots. He is also a smart passer on either his forehand or backhand. Langenbrunner is only an average skater, so he won't be coming in with speed and driving a shot off the wing. He's not dynamic at all. He has a strong short game, with his offense generated within 15 to 20 feet of the net. He has a quick release on his shot. Any deficiencies he may have are offset by his desire to compete and succeed. Langenbrunner is a plumber, but one who is talented enough to play with the likes of Mike Modano. He is an aggressive forechecker who creates turnovers for his linemates.
Langenbrunner plays a very intense game, bigger than his size allows him to. He will wear down physically. He competes hard in the hard areas of the ice, to either get a puck or get himself into a space to get the puck. He is showing signs of being a tough, competitive forward. He lacks the size to be a power forward, but is one of the gritty types who are so annoying to play against. He won't just hang on the perimeter and won't back down--he'll even try to stir things up.
Langenbrunner had a great start (17 goals in his first 48 games) and a brutal finish (six in his last 33), which suggests that he needs to pay closer attention to his conditioning and not wear down in the second half. If Chris Osgood hadn't allowed that stupid overtime goal, Langenbrunner would have been blanked in 16 playoff games. Langenbrunner will have a tougher time finding ice time behind Brett Hull and Pat Verbeek on the right side.
Langenbrunner is a smart, determined player, and 20 goals appears to be his level.
