Tristan Luneau is a calm and self-assured defender that exudes confidence in all three zones. His skating is silky smooth with fluid four-way mobility, good speed in transition, and the agility to manage pressure and escape into open ice. Slick hands, strong and accurate passing, and great vision allow him to initiate zone exits, move pucks through the neutral zone and gain the offensive blue line. He can quarterback a power play, get shots to the net, shield pucks from the opposition and prolong offensive zone possession. In his own end, his positioning is first-rate and, although he isn’t one to run around and bang into anything that moves, he can rub guys out along the wall, battle for pucks, and play a smart physical game when that is called for. He can be expected to continue to refine the little details of his play. His hockey IQ is already high, but that will naturally continue to develop as he matures. His speed, specifically his quickness over short distances, is something that he is likely to address. Directional changes, especially in his pivots, are a little choppy and he loses power in his stride due to being a little too upright in his stance. A correction would help make him more effective. Having said that, all the elements of a premier defenseman are in place and, while he doesn’t come with a top-pair guarantee, he is certainly not a gamble either. How well and how much of his skillset he can transfer to the next level will determine where he fits into the lineup, but there is little doubt that he is a future NHL defenseman. A team wanting to add a sound two-way game to their back end with offensive upside and the potential to blossom into a steady fixture on their top unit could see Luneau as exactly what they’re looking for.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide