Inside Wheeler’s Shocking Summer 2025 NHL Prospect Rankings: Who’s the True Future Star?
Led by his instincts, plenty of confidence and legit skill for a D his size, Yakemchuk generates a lot from the back end. While his game in the WHL has come with some give and take, he has pro size, a pro shot, excellent one-on-one skill and hands and an attack mentality that’s complemented by an active disposition to eagerly jump off the line or into the rush. He’s also got a developing sense for when to hold it and when to move it, which has been a work in progress for him over the years. He also protects the puck extremely well for a defenseman, which allows him to make the most of his decisions to involve himself in the play around the offensive zone, holding pucks past and away from reaching defenders and sometimes dazzling in extended sequences with the puck. It’s not uncommon to see him take a puck to the inside of the wall, beat his man off the line or go to the front of the net. And while he has work to do to refine his game and reads defensively, he has the size and tools (it never hurts when you’re a 6-foot-3 righty) to take the steps he needs to there, and he plays really hard at both ends. I would like to see his skating — which is fine going forward but heavy-footed in other areas and can burn him — improve, particularly from a standstill (where he can be a little slow out of the blocks). He’s not a natural athlete, either. There are games, though, in which he dictates terms with his offense and physicality, really taking charge on the ice. If he can get a little quicker and continue to mature in his decision-making, he has high-end upside, especially offensively.
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