I really like Jake and have often defended him vs many of my buddies who have been vocal in their dislike for him. That being said, it’s really disappointing to me as a fan to see a kid with all the tools, who really needed to show he was maturing and taking the next step to develop into an impactful pro, to not come into camp in ELITE shape.
Jake was well aware what he needed to do, we have a team full of great role models (twins, beagle, burr, Roussell, that he’s been exposed to in regards to offseason preparation), and that ignores young players like Bo, Stech, Marky, etc, and he failed to do one of the simplest things within his control, show up in excellent shape.
What this tells me is he really doesn’t get what it takes and maybe is just “satisfied” being in the NHL. If you have the drive to be the best, to compete, you train like a demon in the off-season, especially when you’re still haven’t proven a thing. The greats also are never satisfied and come back every year like they’ve never proven a thing, that’s what makes them great.
Yes it’s nice to see Jake saying the right things now, but he said the right things at the end of the year last year, he clearly isn’t walking the walk.
Sadly, I think this may be Jake’s last year with us if he doesn’t really commit now. His leash has shortened with all the wingers we have, the young talent still coming (podz/hogs).
It may may take a trade away from his hometown to wake this kid up. I would hate to see it, because that trade may wake him up and then he may turn into what he can be and we miss out on it. But the sad part is, it seems if he stays, he may never “get it” here. Basically, someone else may benefit from all the pain we’ve gone through to get through to him.
He’s a 22 yr old Pro Athlete. You have one job, one thing you can control, that’s your fitness. To show up out of shape at this stage of his career, given he’s done it before and knows it’s unacceptable, is as I said, truly disappointing.