Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
Offensively, he can pass and shot shape but mostly impacts offense with how eager and loose he plays as a carrier and activator who confidently leads exits and entries and loves to hop off the line (including deep into the O-zone) and join the rush whenever he can with his skating, which I expect him to do more and more of as he gets more and more comfortable at the pro level — and which I hope the Blackhawks encourage him to lean into. He also walks the line proficiently and can escape and control the puck against pressure, which has allowed him to produce very high shot totals across levels. After beginning to take over games offensively and show a more dynamic element over the second half of his season in the USHL, he played with an abundance of confidence and identity in college hockey two seasons ago (even if that identity is a little haywire at times) and was immediately himself at the pro level (I think he’ll always be a very loose, hectic player). He already possessed all of the tools he needed to become a top-pairing D, and he just keeps getting better and better. The decision-making is a little raw, but he’s very much still learning it as he goes, and the raw tools are also incredibly appealing considering his relative inexperience, all things considered. With continued fine-tuning, I believe there’s legitimate first-pairing upside there. His ability to impact play all over the ice and jump in and out of plays will define him. I expect him to do that in the NHL in a big way in time as well. He’s capable of becoming a force.
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