- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,543
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Penguins Mocked To Make 'Slight Reach' To Draft Intriguing Defenseman originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Stanley Cup has now been awarded, and the focus now turns to the NHL Draft and free agency.
The NHL Draft is a great chance for teams to add young, impact players to their system, as teams have to build Stanley Cup contenders through the NHL Draft. Ahead of the Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins have the 22nd overall pick and have been linked to several prospects.
Yet, Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic predicts Pittsburgh will reach a bit to select an intriguing right-shot defenseman from Moncton in the QMJHL.
“This might seem like a slight reach, but then again, people said the same of Ben Kindel,” Yohe wrote in an article published on Monday. “This is an immensely talented though undersized defenseman. There are mixed feelings on him, but he’s a PP QB waiting to happen, and Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang are old. As good as Harrison Brunicke is going to be, he’s not a power-play guy. Bleyl is, and he strikes me as a player Kyle Dubas would love.”
Bleyl is from Glenville, New York, and played in the QMJHL last season after playing in the USHL previously. The 6-foot defenseman recorded 13 goals and 68 assists for 81 points in 63 games, while he added 28 points in 21 playoff games.
Although Bleyl has some question marks around him, he’s someone who can run the power play in the future, but will likely need another year or two of development before being a full-time NHL player.
The 2026 NHL Draft is set for June 26-27 in Buffalo.
More NHL: Penguins Insider Reveals Team's Plan At Goalie Ahead Of Offseason
Continue reading...
