Kidney’s on-ice vision and information processing are what sets him apart from other players and, when at his best, he is able to use those abilities to influence his play. He’s able to absorb pressure and maintain puck control. Because of his above-average puck skills in combination with his high-end vision, he’s strong in transition, showing the ability to complete controlled zone exits and zone entries. He has a distinctly upright skating posture and is not the fastest player on the ice. But he’s able to vary his speed, manipulate defender’s gaps and use quick and sudden bursts when attacking. He’s very shifty and deceptive while taking pucks through the neutral zone and once across the offensive blue line he can draw defenders toward him, identifying openings and playing the role of set-up man. Kidney can tend to look for a play that doesn’t materialize, ending up running himself out of space and being squeezed off the puck along the boards. He can also look to pass more often than shoot. If he can increase his shooting frequency, the dual-threat will open up more passing options. Kidney’s best asset is his ability to process information and create offensive plays but it can be apparent that a lack of speed and physical presence affects his ability to successfully complete those plays. At this point in his development, he finds himself chasing the play a bit which greatly reduces his puck touches and limits the overall impact he can have. Kidney can find himself being knocked off the puck or squeezed out of space due to his stature and lack of strength. Nonetheless, Kidney’s anticipation skills, vision and composure with the puck allow him to see offensive possibilities even if he is currently not able to fully exploit those chances. In the defensive zone, Kidney has some inconsistencies. At times, he is less engaged and seems late to challenge opponents while at other times he was able to disrupt scoring chances, gain puck control, and initiate zone exits. What he is able to do consistently was be effective in the faceoff circle. Kidney has real potential and a good base of skills and tactics on which to build. His skating may presently lack some acceleration and speed but his edgework gives him excellent agility and allows him to glide and maintain maneuverability.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide