The newly minted Rebels captain is a solid, if unspectacular, performer. Grubbe is a really steady and well-rounded player who is an effective contributor in all three zones. Already possessing NHL size, he uses his frame to bully smaller players along the wall. He plays low in the defensive zone, backchecks hard, and is generally a much more developed defensive presence than most of his peers. He is one of the more courageous players in how he approaches routes off the puck. In open ice and straight lines he possesses a compact and powerful stride and is an intimidating presence at full speed. He could use some improvement in his quickness and balance in tight spaces, however, his upper-body strength helps mask those weaknesses as he is able to muscle off most opposing players even if he’s in less-than-ideal body positions. His puck control and quick hands are probably his only plus offensive skill, and paired with the enhanced ability to protect with his frame, he is a major asset on the cycle. While it’s easy to see him translating to the pro game, there is a limit to his ceiling as well. He lacks the elite skill, pace, or creativity to produce chances consistently, and as a trade-off he tries to work his tail off, being the first man out of the bunker to provide support in battles or be the first man on the puck, where he derives a lot of his puck touches. His skating lacks a dynamic edge, and he’s almost always attacking in a straight line. He needs to move his weight into his toes and not get caught flat footed when his feet get attacked. You can throw him out there without worrying about mistakes being made, however, he’s not a massive difference-maker either. If you’re selecting him in the draft you’re getting, at best, a faceoff asset, penalty killer, and mistake-free centre to play ten to fifteen minutes per game.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide