Connor Toms is a mobile two-way defender who uses his puck skills and skating ability to drive transition from the back end. His best trait is his skating, accelerating quickly up and down the ice with the puck on his stick, constantly examining the ice for his next pass. His’ puck skills are a plus for him, having above-average hands and using his stickhandling and skating combination to weave through traffic in the neutral zone. His passing stands out in all three zones, constantly looking for his nearest outlet and he rarely ever forces a low percentage pass. Defensively, he uses his skating to maintain good gap control and to keep his opponents from breaking free into the open space. His processing speed and ability to make decisions under pressure need some work. There are times he keeps the puck on his stick for a split second too long, allowing opponents to take away his passing lane or even force him into a turnover. His size makes him susceptible to being knocked off the puck, or to even hesitate in the high traffic areas. Adding some weight to his frame and becoming more confident in his decision-making will really help bring his game to another level. He has the skating ability to puck skills to be an effective blueliner at the next level. He will likely be a bottom-four defenseman who plays most of his minutes at even-strength. He could force his way onto a power play unit if his processing speed develops, giving him more time and space on the ice will really allow him to take advantage of passing and shooting lanes. Toms is worthy of taking a gamble on near the middle of the draft because of an adequate package that just needs to find some refinement and development time.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide