LIAN BICHSEL

2025-08-18

Scout: Jeremy Vercillo

Skating:

Bichsel is a smooth skater but doesn't possess blazing speed. Perfectly adequate for a big defenseman

Passing/Handling:

Bichsel prefers to make the easy play and is good at doing so. He can handle the puck fine but doesn't force his way into pressure, and makes smooth breakout passes instead of forcing stretch ones. If anything I'd prefer to see him carry the puck a bit more instead of dumping it in as soon as he reaches to offensive blue line.

Shooting:

Bichsel doesn't have a dangerous or booming shot. He can flutter some through traffic, but nothing that makes me think he'll be a big shooting threat.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Bichsel shows impressive poise for someone of his size. He is comfortable taking the puck behind his net, looking, and hitting his man.

Forechecking:

n/a

Defense:

Bichsel has massive reach and a big body. He's adept at shepherding the puck carrier to a low-danger area and clearing out the netfront for his goalies. I think this will be his biggest asset.

Best Asset:

Defense/size

Biggest Concern:

Minimal offensive showing

Top Tier/Role Potential:

top-pairing D with lots of minutes and secondary assists

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

He has all the tools of a really good minute muncher. I don't really see him getting offensive deployment unless it's by default because there's no other options.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

top-4 shutdown defenseman

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

I have no doubt he'll be an NHL regular for a long career. He may disappoint in fantasy though.

Stylistic Comparable:

Jaccob Slavin or Colton Parayko

Games Scouted:

AHL regular season selections from Victor (don't know specific dates)