Boumedienne looked much more comfortable in this game than in his previous NCAA appearances, showing clear signs of adjustment to the higher level of play. As the youngest player in the NCAA, I think it’s important to focus on the tools he possesses and how he could grow into them rather than judging him solely on his current usage. With that in mind, Boumedienne has a strong foundation as a two-way defenseman. His skating is great — quick, agile, and exceptionally smooth in backward motion. On the breakout, he uses his feet well to snap up retrievals and create separation from the first forechecker, allowing him to make a solid first pass to start the breakout. Defensively, his rush defense is already quite effective, largely due to his strong footwork and long reach. He positions himself well to disrupt plays and doesn’t often get caught out of position. While there’s a lot to like about his skating and transitional game, I don’t see huge upside in terms of his overall skill set. He’s not particularly dynamic or technically gifted beyond his skating and first pass. That said, Boumedienne absolutely projects as a mobile depth NHL defenseman. His ability to skate at a high level and make simple but effective plays should allow him to carve out a role at the next level, even if he doesn’t develop into a high-end producer. If he continues to refine his game, he could become a reliable bottom-four defenseman who plays steady minutes in a supporting role. I’d be comfortable taking Boumedienne in the mid-second round of the 2025 draft.