Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 23rd-ranked prospect, center Akil Thomas.
Akil Thomas
2017–18 Team: Niagara (OHL)
Date of Birth: January 2, 2000
Place of Birth: Toronto, ON
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 171 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Center
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 15
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 10
NHL Comparable: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Akil Thomas is a well-rounded forward playing for Niagara in the Ontario Hockey League. While primarily a center, Thomas is also capable of playing the wing and has no issue doing so. He is a go-to player in all types of game scenarios, regularly relied upon during power plays, penalty kills and important defensive zone situations.
Thomas shines in all aspects of the game offensively. He possesses great speed and agility, which allows him to buzz around the ice. He also has very good hands, which he uses to create offensive opportunities, both for himself and his teammates. He enjoys beating defenders in one-on-one situations, but also loves distributing the puck, which is his tendency.
Thomas’s vision and hockey sense allow for him to be a dangerous player because he can identify weak points in a defense and attack them, whether in the form of himself taking the puck to the net or finding an open man to break down the defense.
While Thomas generally serves as a pass-first player, he is not afraid to shoot the puck, as he tallied 22 goals this season. His shot is dangerous because of his accuracy and surprising strength behind it, despite being relatively weak overall, which is his glaring deficiency.
Defensively, Thomas’s vision helps him to identify potential threats and position himself well. While he lacks strength, he can often times make up for it with his work ethic. With added strength, Thomas will become a more consistent and solid defender, which will help round out his already well-polished game.
Despite all of Thomas’s top-notch offensive capabilities, perhaps his greatest attributes are his leadership and work ethic. Thomas is a player who has a seemingly endless motor. He does give up on plays. He is not afraid to enter a puck battle despite usually being undersized. Thomas served as an alternate captain this season in Niagara and was relied upon by his coaches as a do-it-all player, which speaks volumes of a player of his age.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Thomas could be an option if he is still available when the Hawks pick at 27. He could be a nice addition to other middle-six players in the organization like Dylan Sikura. While he is a bit small, the Blackhawks have historically not paid much attention to size, drafting players like Alex DeBrincat, Vincent Hinostroza, Anthony Louis and Tim Soderlund. Were Thomas available at 27, it would likely depend on who the Hawks took with the eighth pick if they were interested in Thomas. If they grab a defenseman with the eighth pick, they may want a forward, and Thomas’s versatility and work ethic is certainly something head coach Joel Quenneville would appreciate. And, not that is matters, but Thomas is already used to wearing Blackhawks-style uniforms and looks good doing so.
Timeline
Thomas will need time to add muscle to his frame. He will likely need at least two years before jumping to the team drafting him, so do not expect him on NHL ice until 2020–21.
Projection
Thomas has a high ceiling because of his versatility and work ethic in combination with his high-end offensive skills. The biggest thing for him is gaining strength. If he can bulk up, he could become a second line center. Or, if the team selecting him may rather have him on the wing because of his size. Either way, he should be a safe bet for a middle-six role down the road.
What others are saying
“A thick two-way center with a deadly shot and high compete level who also can play the wing, Thomas led all OHL draft-eligible forwards in scoring with 80 points in 68 games. He is used in all situations, but he is most dangerous on the power play thanks to his keen vision and ability to pump shots through traffic. There a few players in his draft class who offer coaches the kind of versatility Thomas provides — he is used to take big draws, kill off an important penalty or run the offense from inside the zone during late/close situations.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
“What stands out about Thomas is his leadership and work ethic. He is a tireless worker who is always striving to get better at both ends of the ice. In live viewings of him, he was out in all situations, including power play, penalty kill and end of game. He can effectively play both as a center and on the wing. He also handles everything like he’s 2-3 years older. He’s just 18, but you’d think he’s 20 or 21 based on his play and the way he handles himself. Not many players wear a letter in their draft season. That tells you everything you need to know about Thomas as a person.”
— Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers