The Scouting Report:
Cameron Reid is a defenseman who currently plays for the Kitchener Rangers and is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. The 6’0″ 274 lb defenseman scored 54 points this past season in 67 games, and was a part of the success the Rangers had this season. Reid has some strong skills and projects to be one of the top defensmen in this year’s draft.
Draft Projections
Ranked #12 by Conrad Jack of Inside the Rink
Ranked #20 by TSN/Craig Button
Ranked #19 by Daily Faceoff
Ranked #22 by Dobber Prospects
Diving Deeper:
Skating
Cameron Reid is a smooth skater who utilizes his finesse on the ice to create chances for his team, while having the speed to join rushes when the opportunity presents itself effectively. He has strong edges and is able to make tight turns and quick pivots look effortless, which allows him to carry the puck out of his own zone well and activate off the point effectively.
“Reid is compact in stature, but plenty strong in the trenches. He doesn’t shy away from physical contact, but his most elite element is his skating ability. Reid has the agility and explosiveness to close on opponents defensively and spin off checks to launch the attack offensively.”
Jason Bukala – Sportsnet – March 26th
Defensive Play
Not only does Reid have offensive skill, but his defensive ability is solid, too. He makes solid decisions in tight, and was relied on by the Kitchener Rangers in many different situations. Reid reads plays well, and is ultimately more polished defensively than most of the defensemen in the draft class, which could land him an NHL job sooner than some of his counterparts.
Transitional Play
Reid excels in transition and breaks the puck out of his own end quite effectively. He combines his vision and skating to either break the puck out himself or make a great first pass, which effectively creates further offense. He’s calm and composed under pressure, and will wait until the right outlet pass is available or carry the puck himself.
Comparables:
Vince Dunn: Dunn and Reid share some similarities, with both defensemen showing solid skating skills, and their breakout efficiency is high. Dunn likely has a higher ceiling than Reid, but both players share a lot of similarities in core skills.
Gustav Forsling: While Forsling took time to find his stride in the NHL, he has become a major success story for the Florida Panthers. Forsling can chip in offensively while also playing a solid two-way game. These are a lot of the same skills that Reid has, and Reid hopes to become a complete player who can be played in many situations, similarly to Forsling.
Cam York: Cam York is an interesting comparison to Reid. Both players possess skills as two-way puck-moving defensemen who play a modern style game, but York hasn’t fully caught his stride yet. While York shows a lot of promise, he still has room to grow both in ability and usage.
Prospect Potential:
Cameron Reid is one of the top left-handed defensemen in the draft, boasting a well-rounded blend of offensive, defensive, and skating skills that will likely have him drafted in the first round. Reid has the potential to be a top-4 defenseman who chips in offensively and plays some powerplay time, but that’s if his development continues, as his floor is closer to a depth defenseman who plays on the third pair.
Stats via Elite Prospects
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