Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
I also believe he defends at a high enough level to be given free rein to go out there and be himself offensively. Though his defense has been a common criticism among scouts at times, I’d argue he has a great stick (which is long and which he hides really well until an opportunity to be disruptive presents itself) and reads the play at a high level in anticipation. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him on the penalty kill, and even though he definitely doesn’t play a physical style and can get exposed for not being hard enough in engagements, I think he’s made important progress in his own zone and he’s also become a very chippy/mouthy/pest-like player (though his lack of discipline at times can get him in trouble). There are times when his posture will look disengaged and upright, and you’d like him to really get low and battle, but he’s playing to win pucks with his stick and does so quite well (he’s never going to be a staunch defender). Add in that he’s a very good communicator (he’s constantly talking on the ice), has passes that are almost always tape-to-tape and perfectly flat, an ability to draw penalties escaping pressure as well as just about anyone in the draft class (he’s never in trouble) and a want to have the puck and make a difference, and there’s a very high-end package. If he can defend at a reasonable level in the NHL (which I believe he’ll be able to), he has true star power offensively. I’m bullish on him becoming one of the top offensive defensemen in the world.
Post Comment