81 Points and 4 Major Awards: Why Tommy Bleyl Is the 2026 Draft Target the Kraken CANNOT Miss
Alright, Kraken faithful, gather 'round because we HAVE to talk about this kid. The 2026 NHL Draft is right around the corner, and a name you NEED to know is tearing up the QMJHL: Tommy Bleyl. This right-shot defenseman out of Moncton didn't have a good year, he had an absolutely UNREAL one, putting up a staggering 81 points in 63 games. Eighty-one points from a D-man! Get ready, because if he's still on the board when the Kraken pick, he could make our blue line a force.
From Unconventional Route to QMJHL Dominance
Bleyl, a native of Schenectady, New York, took a bit of an unconventional route to get to this point. After trying the USA Hockey path and even a brief stint with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, he made a massive gamble. He decided to join the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League for his draft year. And let me tell you, that decision paid massive dividends for the kid. In his very first season with Moncton, Bleyl absolutely exploded. He became one of the best defenders in the entire QMJHL, racking up an incredible 13 goals and 68 assists for those eye-popping 81 points in just 63 games played. Talk about making a statement!
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Playoff Heroics and an Absolute Trophy Haul
But wait, there's more! Bleyl didn't just light up the regular season, he brought that same energy to the playoffs. He followed up his insane regular season with a stellar playoff run for the Wildcats, bagging 28 points, including 6 goals and 22 assists, in 21 games. Moncton fought their way all the way back to the QMJHL Final, falling short only to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The individual accolades for Bleyl? Unbelievable. He finished the 2025-26 season with the most points and assists by a defenseman in the entire QMJHL. On top of that, he was named to the league's All-Rookie Team, was a First-Team All-Star, earned Rookie of the Year honors, AND was also named the Defenseman of the Year. That's four major awards! This kid's trophy cabinet is already overflowing.
The Kraken's Future Blue Line? This Kid Skates Like a Dream
When you hear scouts talking, some argue Bleyl is the most complete skater in the entire draft. You watch him, and you see exactly why. He's incredibly fluid on his feet, gliding around the ice from the back end with fantastic balance. We've got a solid foundation with guys like Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, and Brandon Montour, but adding a young, dynamic, right-shot defenseman who can put up points like this? That’s how you build a championship contender. Imagine him dishing passes to Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, or Jared McCann. Yeah, I'm already dreaming about it.
The 2026 NHL Draft is coming up fast, and we all know how vital a strong defense is in this league. Our front office needs to have this kid circled, underlined, and highlighted. Keep your eyes peeled, Kraken fans, because a talent like Bleyl could elevate our whole team and bring the Cup to the Emerald City!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.