Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
Hensler is a talented player and good prospect but he’s not a no-doubter offensive defenseman or a lockdown defensive D type. He’s a smooth, mobile, balanced skater. He can use his feet to attack and create lanes. He’s a good athlete. He keeps his head and eyes up. He’s skilled with the puck. He has a decent stick and defensive instincts. He reads the play well on both sides when he’s dialed in (there are times when it can feel like he’s just out there for a skate, though). There are also times when it seems like he doesn’t know his identity as a player. I’ve really just wanted to see him take charge more on blue lines at the NTDP and Wisconsin that could have really used a horse. Even as one of the younger players on all of his teams with both USA Hockey and the Badgers, he has the talent to be more impactful than he has been (and he has been good for both). It can feel like he’s unsure of himself at times out there, and his game can miss that grab-it mentality. He has moments when he jumps up in transition and makes something happen, and shows some exciting qualities and instincts. I want to see more of that, and an equal assertiveness defensively. My viewings were mostly positive last year, but I’m still waiting for him to jump off the page at me. He’s capable of it. He’s really fluid in and out of his edges. He has pro size. He has good handles. He has balanced posture on his heels and toes, and he’s capable of using it to play strong stick-on-puck gaps and carry and lead in transition. He has poise and comfort in all three zones. He has skill and offense. He’s a righty. It’s in there. If it all comes together, there’s a skating, transitional, PP2 second-pairing NHL D in there. I think there’s some risk that he doesn’t take that next step and just becomes a fine depth five-on-five guy who can move pucks, but I have a sneaking feeling he’s going to take charge more next year and not look back.
Post Comment