Based on all factors...
Overall skillset: Thomson is a right hand defender, which is a major need on our back end. He is a fast and skillful skater, who has good IQ when it comes to fending off forecheckers. I also enjoy seeing his heavy shot. He is a better than average puck carrier, who will only improve. Areas where he needs work are recognizing traps from other teams that create 2-on-1 and having the ability to know when it is time for forecheck and when it is time to stay on the blue line or in the neutral zone. He needs to work on learning how to see gaps in coverage to get his powerful shot through to the net. Also, working on his gaps when back skating to defend.
Hockey IQ: In terms of defensive skillsets he uses his body positioning and skating as good or better than any defender we currently have, including Chabot. This skillset alone makes him an above average NHL defender. He still has issues with gap control on the back check, but I believe this relates to his time defending a larger sheet of ice and needing to prepare more for the North-South game in the NHL, rather than the more meandering style seen in European games.
Upside: based on what little time we've seen on Thomson in the NHL, he is ahead of schedule in terms of development, which means he's a fast learner as it pertains to his transition from euro style play to North American. He understands how his attributes of skating and body position translate to the NHL and this will only improve as he moves from a rookie to a more seasoned veteran in the league. For the most part Thomson has a steady confidence, but is also a very passionate player, who cares about his team, which are leadership qualities.
I see Thomson's floor as a top-6 defender and ceiling as top-4 on our team. Meaning he slots in at number 3-4 once he is more developed, and will likely be a top-six for quite a few years in the NHL so long as he remains healthy. He offers the possibility of having another defender on the PP, because of his shot and his ability to skate the blue line. Would be perfect for 5-on-3 PP because his shot can get through a lot easier, to create rebounds or just straight goals. His AHL stats, including 10-goals back up the fact that he can produce points from the back end.
Based on his offensive pace in the AHL 26 points in 54 games, if he can translate this offence to the NHL, he is definitely a top-4 defender and this pace of offence aligns comparatively with other defenders in the league such as Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche. I envision Thomson playing the same role that Byram plays for Colorado, in being a stalwart, fast moving defender, who can produce offensive upside when needed.
Overall I see Thomson as at least top-4, but he could be top-3 on our current prospect list. He is maybe tied or only slightly lower rated than a player such as Greig.
