Handel, a right-shot defenseman, is best described as a two-way defenseman with the ability to affect the game on many fronts. His skating and heads-up play are what attract me most in his game. He’s not a high-end skater with impressive edgework and flat-out blazing speed, but his general mobility and overall timing when lining or sizing up opponents is strong. He’s able to time and squash plays routinely. He has a good understanding of when to bail out his partner and when to let him try to defend on his own during points of attack. In defending, I’m not sure he’s physically strong enough yet. He had issues dictating where forwards would go when they entered the offensive zone. His shoves and general ability to use his frame to dictate where they were going to go was lacking, too. He’s on the lighter side and the instincts are there, so this is more of a ‘now’ problem than something that can’t be fixed with a little weight training down the road. On offense, Handel can effortlessly take passes off the mark, using his feet to promptly place them perfectly on his blade, though is generally best described as an average to slightly above-average puckhandler. He makes intelligent, but safe plays with the puck, as there’s not a lot of dynamic elements in his game and he is more risk adverse than a player willing to try to execute a complicated play. His stickhandling and passing, again, are basic but mistake-free. Handel is not a playmaking defenseman and offers little offensively except as a facilitator to get the puck onto the stick of players that can make a difference. That said, he’s always skating with his head up and does foray into the offensive zone on the power play. He’s used on both sides of special teams and, on top of that, he’s an alternate captain for Germany at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, suggesting there’s some leadership qualities in his approach, too. Overall, Handel was one of few bright spots for me. His overall game is his meal ticket, as there’s not a standout defining trait that screams NHLer. He’d be worth a gamble for me in the late rounds of the 2025 draft just based on his all-round ability, effort, and heady play.