Nashville Predators Select Defensemen Tommy Bleyl After Acquiring Pick 31 From Hurricanes
· Yahoo Sports
The Nashville Predators have made another first-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
After acquiring pick No. 31 from the Carolina Hurricanes for picks No. 42 and 57, they drafted Tommy Bleyl. A right-handed-shooting defensemen, who was slated to go in the late first round.
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The Pro Hockey Group, founded by former NHL scout Jason Bukala, released a blurb on what type of player he is.
"Bleyl is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who excels with the puck on his stick. His skating, vision and passing ability allow him to drive transition, create offense and contribute effectively on the power play."
Bleyl has the potential to be an impactful defensemen similar to how Lane Hutson plays with the Montreal Canadiens. He can use his skating and vision to make a great first pass and crease offense.
That is a big need for the Predators. They have a ton of young forwards, including their 10th overall pick Wyatt Cullen. However, they are pretty thin in terms of high-end prospects on the blue line. Bleyl helps with that a lot and has a good chance at being the future of the Predators' blue line.
Bleyl played the 2025-26 season with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL. Where he played in 63 games and scored 13 goals and 68 assists for 81 points. After a strong season, he will return to the Wildcats next season, but then he will jump to the NCAA and join Michigan State University in the 2027-28 season.