Tyler Duke is an undersized two-way defenseman who has great awareness in all three zone and can make a lot happen while he is on the ice. He has solid mobility, with strong edgework and the ability to change pace and directions quickly, allowing him to navigate up and down the ice. His mobility is his best asset, because it allows him to impact the game both offensively and defensively. He can angle off opponents and take away their space because he is able to close in on them quickly. Offensively, he can jump into the rush either as a puck-carrying or an off-puck option. He has the IQ and awareness to attack the open lanes and put himself in the best possible to be an offensive threat off the rush. His awareness and IQ are further along than expected, but with someone of his smaller stature there are some limitations to his game right now that give reason to pause. He’s not the strongest player, making it difficult to be seen as a true scoring threat from the point with his shot. It can also be easy for his opponents to outmuscle him along the boards or in the high-slot while he’s defending. He is still young, and will look to add muscle as he gets older and spends a few seasons in the NCAA before making the jump to the pros. The good news for him is he has proven he can be an effective player even with his limited physical tools. If he can develop them it’ll open up greater upside. As it stands he can be a top-six blueliner who can play at five-on-five and on a second power play unit. If he does add some more mass and physicality to his game his ceiling would drastically improve, but even right now there is still enough to bet on Duke developing into a solid everyday NHLer.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide