Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
Photo:
Kyle Smutzki
VAN
2025
Tier 5
C
Kyle Smutzki
2025
Tier 5
C
Lee’s an extremely talented offensive winger with really quick hands who can take and beat defenders one-on-one with his individual skill level. I’ve seen him score some pretty goals dancing defenders. He’s a crafty offensive forward who can make plays inside the offensive zone, off the rush and on the half-wall on the power play. He thinks the game at a very advanced level offensively. His skating could use another step, and his play off the puck defensively could use some rounding out, and that, combined with his average size and competitiveness as a winger, did cause debate as to whether he was a first-rounder for some teams despite having clear first-round skill. I think the Preds were smart to take the swing on his offensive gifts. They called him “The Wizard” at Shattuck, and he lives up to it. The lightning-quick, puck-on-a-string hands. The shiftiness. The clairvoyant vision and eyes on the back of his head. The touch and finesse on passes. The feel. The natural release. He has a great energy about him and loves the game. Not that long ago, he was 5-foot-7, and now he’s 6 feet and he still has room to grow and get stronger. If he can improved his skating (he performed well at the combine, which was promising of progress he has already made on that front after his growth spurt), he’ll become a top offensive player in college and has top-six talent/potential.
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