Lukas Jasek | RW

[canuckledraggin]

On 4/22/2018 at 1:03 PM, Attila Umbrus said:

The Grabner comparison made me excited. I loved Grabner, and really wished we didn't trade him. I don't know what they were thinking with that one. Every time I watched Grabner he was not only fast, and a scoring threat with a good shot, he made all the good subtle defensive plays...always being on the right side of the puck and not being a liability. If Jasek can be the next Grabner, sign me up! No pressure eh

After he broke his ankle playing soccer in the pre-game warm up, he never got out of AV's doghouse. http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/canucks-recall-michael-grabner-after-samuelsson-suffers-shoulder-injury

 

Jasek was that homerun pick, who is looking more and more like he can reach his potential. Playing pro hockey for the last couple years gives him a leg up over junior players and the same can be said for our other prospects playing in Euro leagues.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

Jašek apparently picked up an injury in game one and won’t be available for game three:

 

 

[aGENT]

39 minutes ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Jašek apparently picked up an injury in game one and won’t be available for game three:

 

 

Damn  

[Noble 6]

Makes sense why he didn't play game 2 then.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

1 hour ago, Horvat is a Boss said:

Makes sense why he didn't play game 2 then.

Yeah, that's the silver lining, I guess. I was a little surprised he came out when I thought it was a healthy scratch. Just because Cull seems to like his game so much. Chalked it up to the whole "rotate the young guys in" plan they'd talked about. But now I'm thinking Jašek would've probably played game 2 if he'd been healthy. Anyway, hopefully it's nothing serious and won't hold him off the ice too long (whether that's Utica extending their playoff run or Jašek starting on his offseason work).

Edited April 25, 2018 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

Recent Sporting News article: http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/vancouver-canucks-prospects-lukas-jasek-jonathan-dahlen-kole-lind-utica-comets-north-america-professional-game-analysis-statistics/smqaooandwh41n5z9cxpflaxk

 

Linden on Jašek:

 

“We tried to get him over here to play junior,” Trevor Linden, Canucks president of hockey operations, told the Sporting News. “He was tied up in a contract there. It’s always a little bit murky as to what that looks like.”

“He's got a pretty good (hockey) sense,” said Linden after watching Jasek for the first time on Saturday. “He’s a pretty smooth operator, he understands time and space at this level and he’s a pretty fluid skater.

“He stepped into a really challenging situation and has handed it really well. It’s a credit to him, he’s a pretty driven kid obviously.”

“Our guys had watched him play in the Czech league and obviously we had some good reports,” Linden said. “It’s just another young player we can add to our group. We think after we saw him here in North America, and saw that he’s got some NHL potential, we’ll see where that goes in the next little bit, but pretty easy decision.

“The one thing about Lukas that he has is pro experience in Europe with the men’s league there in the Czech Republic.”

 

Andrew Degroot, ISS Head AHL Scout:

 

“He’s been an impact guy for (the Comets),” said Andrew Degroot, ISS Hockey’s head scout for the AHL. “He’s a good skater, he can skate. He’s a big kid.

“You’ve got to like in six regular season games, he scored seven points.”

 

Allan Walsh, Agent:

 

“He was too old in the CHL and had previously signed a contract with Liberec in the Czech league, which did not allow him to play in the (CHL),” said Walsh. “What we told him back then to focus on was having the best year he could possibly have in Czech, and then hope was, Utica would be playing games after Liberec was done.

“The moment Liberec was done, we immediately approached Vancouver about getting him to Utica on a ATO/PTO.”

“This kid is so psychotic, he’s coming in to the summer, and into training camp fighting for a job in Vancouver,” said Walsh. “He’s committed to playing in North America next season.”

 

EDIT: "Psychotic" probably wouldn't be my word choice. Maybe "driven" instead? But nice to hear that Jašek has his sights set on making the Canucks next season and will be working hard over the summer and coming into camp. After what he's shown in this short AHL sample, I'm definitely not counting him out. Next season (cracking the NHL lineup) seems a tad optimistic, but if anyone has the drive to make such lofty dreams a reality, it would be Lukáš.

 

Edited April 25, 2018 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

Jašek skated in Utica today in a red jersey (no contact). So he still won’t be playing next game but at least he’s back on the ice and practicing. Suggests the injury isn’t too bad. Maybe day-to-day or week-to-week.

 

Speculation is that he got hurt on a hit he received in game one. Was taken hard into the boards and felled by the contact. 

[komodo0921]

Talk about coming out of nowhere. 

Goes from a relative unknown to competing for a spot with the big club next season.

This kid's skillset scream 1RW. 

Hope he continues his offensive onslaught.

A Dahlen, Pettersson, Jasek line could be pretty potent.

[Noble 6]

2 hours ago, komodo0921 said:

Talk about coming out of nowhere. 

Goes from a relative unknown to competing for a spot with the big club next season.

This kid's skillset scream 1RW. 

Hope he continues his offensive onslaught.

A Dahlen, Pettersson, Jasek line could be pretty potent.

 

1st line player is a stretch, but a solid bottom-6 contributor along the lines of Sheary isn't.

[komodo0921]

9 minutes ago, Horvat is a Boss said:

 

1st line player is a stretch, but a solid bottom-6 contributor along the lines of Sheary isn't.

I'm very curious to see what he can do over the course of a full season.

His skill set suggests top-six but even if he does turn into a bottom six forward, it would still be considered a win for sure.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

On 2018-04-26 at 11:36 AM, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Jašek skated in Utica today in a red jersey (no contact). So he still won’t be playing next game but at least he’s back on the ice and practicing. Suggests the injury isn’t too bad. Maybe day-to-day or week-to-week.

 

Speculation is that he got hurt on a hit he received in game one. Was taken hard into the boards and felled by the contact. 

Just to update: last report I read said the injury was merely day-to-day.

 

Jašek probably would have been ready to return to the lineup for the next series if the Comets won game 5 versus the Marlies and advanced to the second round of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs.

 

Looking like the injury shouldn't hold him back at all this offseason.

 

I expect he's get a full summer's training in, make some serious gains, and arrive at camp in great shape and ready to challenge for a spot.

[Ray_Cathode]

On 4/25/2018 at 9:23 AM, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

Jašek apparently picked up an injury in game one and won’t be available for game three:

 

 

Thanks for that, I wondered what the heck happened to him.  Didn't seem reasonable that he didn't play if he could.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

8 hours ago, komodo0921 said:

I'm very curious to see what he can do over the course of a full season.

His skill set suggests top-six but even if he does turn into a bottom six forward, it would still be considered a win for sure.

I think we're already at a win just by him proving himself worthy of an NHL contract. Given where he was drafted, he's already beaten the odds.

 

But making the NHL is the next hurdle. And it's hard to predict where he'll end up.

 

Obviously the bottom of the lineup is the most likely spot. But he does have a very high end skillset and some great overall natural ability.

 

I refuse to put a ceiling on Jašek. I've always thought he'd be a really good third liner. But he may have even more to offer if everything goes perfectly for him.

 

He's just so damn versatile. Can play any forward position, mix well with both skill players and grinders, and succeed in pretty much any role.

 

Jašek can be the speedster linemate who brings high energy and pace, or the dogged pursuit role digging for pucks in the corners, or the fearless guy who plays net front and screens and crashes. He can be both the sniper and the playmaker. Or he can be the two-way guy provides the line's defensive conscience. Or the pest who gets under opponents' skins. He can be the halfboards PPQB, or the point shot, or he can camp out at the left circle for one-timers. He can play a pure matchup/shutdown role, or he can be a poacher, or a stretch pass target for breakaways. He can be a third D style forward who helps recover pucks and create zone exits, or the high man looking to blow the zone and rush down the ice at the first opportunity. Et cetera, et cetera. It really goes on and on what type of role this kid can play on a team.

 

Ideally though, he's a two-way RW who fuels his game with his speed and determination. A player with high hockey IQ and vision that allows him to make strong plays in the offensive zone, and read the danger and provide good positioning and support defensively. Basically a "plug and play" linemate who can be an asset wherever you spot him in.

 

A few months ago, my dream scenario was him coming over for 2018-19 and playing RW on the Sedin line. I really think he could've fit in well with the twins. But that ship has sailed.

 

At this point, I'm thinking he might make a really nice winger for Gaudette.

 

But who knows, maybe he plays with Pettersson or Horvat one day. I definitely wouldn't rule it out.

 

For the time being, I just want him to crack the NHL.

 

On step at a time. And each one is a bonus from here on out.

 

Edited May 1, 2018 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[Guest]

11 hours ago, komodo0921 said:

Talk about coming out of nowhere. 

Goes from a relative unknown to competing for a spot with the big club next season.

This kid's skillset scream 1RW. 

Hope he continues his offensive onslaught.

A Dahlen, Pettersson, Jasek line could be pretty potent.

1RW?!? 

 

I hope he makes the NHL and plays 100 games. 

[viking90]

Apparently he have spent a few years in Sweden at Södertälje SK J18/J20.

Just like Anze Kopitar and David Pastrnak.

 

I´m just saying 

[aGENT]

3 hours ago, SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME said:

But who knows, maybe he plays with Pettersson or Horvat one day. I definitely wouldn't rule it out.

?, Pettersson, Boeser 

Dahlen, Horvat, Jasek..?

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

15 hours ago, aGENT said:

?, Pettersson, Boeser 

Dahlen, Horvat, Jasek..?

That second line would be pretty fun to watch. 

 

Could also see Virtanen-Gaudette-Jašek being a very fun unit. Maybe as a “kid line” style 4th. Probably too many RH shots (seems like we have a lot of them now) but man they’d have some speed and energy. Pretty feisty group too and all three are no slouches defensively.

[rizzuto&hatoum]

Watching his highlights, I don't see any Grabner-type speed but visions of a harder-working, more responsible Petr Klima did enter my mind.

[SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME]

Allan Walsh expands on the Havlat comparison:

 

And Jašek checks in at #10 on The Province’s list of our top-10 prospects:

 

Really enjoyed reading about how they handled Jašek’s arrival. Their intention to ease him in. But also their early appreciation of Jašek’s professionalism, heart, and preparedness. Being willing to throw him into the lineup with a good opportunity (due to injuries) and telling him te pressure was off, he didn’t need to worry about being evaluated, just play his game and have fun. This was exactly the treatment I’d hoped for because I kind of knew that it would pay off. Due to Jašek’s history (with the whole Trinec thing), a softer touch early and some encouragement from the coaches and development staff was the exact approach I wanted to see. And it paid off.

 

Also, JB’s player evaluation and projection. Third line forward, PK (something he hasn’t done a lot but I’ve repeated suggested he could excel at if given the chance), chipping in timely secondary scoring, relentless work ethic, and speed, speed, speed. Basically a carbon copy of what I’ve been saying for a while about Jašek’s NHL potential.

 

Almost feels like reading some of my own posts. Not that I actually think they pay attention to this thread or anything I’ve ever written here. Just nice whenever the stuff going on within the team so closely mirrors my own hopes and views.

 

Anyway, here’s a copypasta of the article:

 

If it feels like Lukas Jasek arrived overnight in the Canucks’ system it’s because, in some ways, he did.

 

When he exploded late in the season with the Utica Comets, no one saw it coming. At least, not that quickly. He put up seven points in his first six North American games and it all started with a coach’s gut call, and it’s one that really came out of nowhere.

 

“To be totally transparent, he arrived just in time for a Friday game and the plan was to get him some practice time in before he played,” said Comets GM Ryan Johnson. “The next day we were going to Springfield and I wanted him to come just to experience it, and get on the ice in the morning.

 

“I said to (Utica head coach) Trent Cull, ‘Let’s give him a few days. He just travelled overseas. The American league is new to him. This is a step up. I don’t want to overwhelm the kid. I want to give him a chance to succeed out of the gate. I don’t want to throw him to the wolves.’”

 

Jasek essentially had been trying to get to North America since he was a sixth-round pick in 2015, but was tied to the Czech Republic’s top league. He finally got here on an amateur tryout contract designed to give him a shot at earning a professional deal. So for him every minute he played mattered.

 

As so often happened this season, however, Utica’s most well-meaning plans were diverted by injuries. And just as Jasek was taking the morning skate on his first day, and being told by an assistant coach he’d be eased into the lineup later after some practice, Cull was in the coach’s room throwing a curveball.

 

“He walked around a corner and said: ‘I’m going to play the kid,’” Johnson recalled, laughing.

 

Cull would soon make some promises to Jasek. He told him the pressure was off. He vowed there’d be no evaluation for his first game and zero expectations. Jasek was told to go out and run with those wolves to have some fun.

 

He sure nailed the last part.

 

“Fast forward to eight hours later and he has a goal and two assists. He scored the goal to tie it at five with (2:11) left and we won it with 40 seconds left,” Johnson said. “It really didn’t happen the way we drew it up. But he was off and running.”

 

Jasek didn’t stop either until he was injured early in Utica’s first-round playoff series with the Toronto Marlies, which they eventually lost in five games.

 

“We really could have used him,” Johnson said. “The difference with him and some other prospects is that he’s really a professional,” Johnson said.

 

“He came in here and has a routine that shows you he’s been around men playing in a pro league where they know how to prepare the right way.

 

“It doesn’t shock me he had the success he did.

 

“I wouldn’t call him a flashy player. But he skates very well, he’s smart and has really good puck protection.”

 

How good is his skating?

 

Canucks GM Jim Benning came up with an interesting comparison.

 

“He kind of reminds me a little bit of Michael Grabner as a kid,” Benning said.

 

Grabner, of course, has wheels for days and used that speed to score 27 goals in each of the past two seasons. For Jasek, the skating can get there, though few are predicting he could score that number of goals.

 

“I think he’s going to be a bottom-six forward,” Benning said. “He has a chance to be a third-line guy. He can give up speed. He’ll kill penalties and he could chip in some offence. I don’t see him as a top-six guy with pure skill who is going to put up huge numbers.

 

“But he’s relentless in his work, and could be able to get good back pressure with his speed.”

 

Asked who he’d compare Jasek to, Jasek’s agent Allan Walsh said: “He reminds me a little bit of a guy like Martin Havlat.

 

“When Havlat came over as a first-round pick for Ottawa, he had a great development camp and everyone expected he was going to play in the AHL. He was a great skater, hungry and eager and wanting to succeed.

 

“Jasek has a lot of the same qualities I recognized in representing Havlat his whole career.”

 

 

Edited May 11, 2018 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

[TGT68]

I don't know a lot about Havlat but I see that in Jasek's game.  A guy I know more about, who overcame adversity and a lack of people believing in him and yet managed to master each level and even become a top line player was Alex Burrows.  When I see how Jasek had to dominate U16 to learn to dominate U18 and then U20.  How he could stick in the Czech pro leagues on the third and fourth line with little production doing the little things right and then develop into that league with a solid season last year.  I was really expecting him to be back in the Czech league being a point a game guy this year coming before he surprised me and made it to Utica.  I really hope he has a solid year in Utica this year coming and gets good minutes.  As this kid seems to have the talent and tenacity to get to the NHL and be that third liner Benning speaks of and then just maybe, surprise us all again and show us he is really a top 6 player as he has at every level once he has adjusted.