Tommy Bleyl:
Projection: Top 4 Defenceman
Strengths: Elite skating, Playmaking, Shooting
Weaknesses: Physicality, Defensive IQ
Analysis:
Tommy Bleyl might be the most under-the-radar defenceman in this
draft. The main attribute in his game is his elite skating. He has
elite mobility and shiftiness, which is attributed to his excellent
edge control and very good top speed. He moves around the ice so
effortlessly that it allows him to jump up in the rush or maintain his
gap control against very fast attackers. His playmaking and vision are
also extremely good. His passes are crisp and always placed on the
tape of his teammates. He sees the ice very well to find open ice and
lanes through sticks. His decision-making with the puck is excellent,
too, consistently making the right play. He also has a very deceptive
release, making his shot a dangerous tool for him as well.
Where he needs to improve is in his physicality. He needs to put on a
little bit of muscle to help improve his net front and along the boards
battling. He isn’t the best at using his body to separate opponents
from pucks or box them out in front due to his size. I have found in
the games I watched him, he sometimes has a lapse defensively, where
he leaves his assignment open for a little longer than I like, or he
defends them well with his stick, but then doesn’t take the body out
of the play as well.