Michigan State’s already star-studded 2026-27 hockey roster just got another jolt, and this one came earlier than anyone expected.
Defenseman Tommy Bleyl, the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators, had been viewed as a 2027-28 addition for the Spartans. Instead, that timeline appears to have moved up. On Monday, Predators beat reporter Alex Daugherty reported that Bleyl will play in East Lansing during the 2026-27 season after previously being expected to spend another year with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL.
For Michigan State, it’s the kind of news that changes the shape of a roster. Adam Nightingale and his staff had clearly been looking for another high-end defenseman to plug into next year’s group, and now one of their biggest blue-line prizes is arriving ahead of schedule.
That need was obvious. MSU had shown interest in Daxon Rudolph and Landon DuPont, two elite defensemen who would have fit the bill.
Rudolph went fourth overall to the Buffalo Sabres in this year’s draft and chose Denver, while DuPont, the current favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2027 draft, committed to arch-rival Michigan. Those were misses for the Spartans, but Bleyl’s arrival gives them a major answer anyway.
The timing matters because there’s real turnover coming on defense. Top defenseman Matt Basgall has exhausted his eligibility.
Colin Ralph and Maxim Strbak have both signed NHL deals with the St. Louis Blues and the Sabres, respectively.
That leaves Patrick Geary as the only returning defenseman from the top two lines.
Bleyl won’t be the only major addition helping to patch those holes. Chase Reid, the highest draft pick in MSU’s most recent class, went seventh overall to the Seattle Kraken, a spot later than many expected. The Spartans’ other three first-round selections this year are forwards and centers: Nikita Klepov at 15th to the Anaheim Ducks, Ethan Belchetz at 17th to the Utah Mammoth, and Jack Hextall at 30th to the Calgary Flames.
There’s also a familiar face waiting to make a bigger impact. Ryker Lee is back for another season, and he’ll be one of two Nashville first-rounders on next year’s roster. Lee became a fan favorite last year with his offensive creativity and stick-handling, and his numbers tell the story: 15 goals and 15 assists, both team highs among returning players.
"I'm not going to take much credit for that," Lee said about Bleyl's decision to come to MSU in a post by Daugherty. "I went up and said hi to him, and he actually said he was going to come in.
It's been great getting to know him. He's been asking me questions, and I'm excited to get him on campus, and we're going to have a great group next year."
When you stack it all together, the number is eye-popping. Bleyl’s move pushes Michigan State to 10 total first-rounders on next season’s roster.
The Spartans are bringing back Lee and Cayden Lindstrom from last season, adding Cullen Potter, the 32nd overall pick in 2025, from the transfer portal, and welcoming in the five first-round picks from this year. Mason West, taken 29th overall in 2025, and Joshua Ravensbergen, selected 30th overall in 2025, are also set to join for 2026-27.
If MSU reaches the NCAA hard cap of 26 players, that would mean 38.5% of the roster consists of first-round picks. That’s a level college hockey has never really seen before.
Still, the Spartans may not open the season as the preseason No. 1, even with what could be the most talented roster in the sport. The group will be young, and there’s still a need for older, more physically developed players. Daniel Russell and Basgall were top-line guys last season as seniors, even without being drafted.
But the pieces are in place, and the expectation is clear. The bar for next season is the Frozen Four.
Michigan State has been a top-four national seed in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments, only to fall in a regional final to Big Ten opponents Michigan and Wisconsin and suffer a first-round upset against Cornell. The single-elimination format can be brutal, but at some point, Michigan State has to figure out how to break through it.
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