Exactly. His skill set screams skate the puck up ice wide and back off the D while gaining the zone. If he can't cut to the net he should stop and curl to try to set something up. Virt, Bo, Boeser. Do it.
Hmmm. Interesting. Love the translation though. Next time my boy gets cut from a team I will let him know he is "dropped from the configuration" lol. Love the updates. Thanks.
Very good points. It's important to make note that it appears that Jake does not have the "issues" that Zack had. Very important point. And I totally agree the best chance to get him going in the right direction is with Green. Jake has commented many times on their strong relationship. That, and history shows Travis had his issues breaking into the leugue and will be able to relate.
Not entirely true. Oilers got Kassian because the Habs gave up on him and his off ice issues as well. It was Kassian himself who finally came to camp that fall in shape and with the right attitude. Jake seems to have not had that light bulb go off yet.
Kassian is a great comparable. I mentioned in another thread how a scout I talked to touched on how a young player has to do at least one thing really, really well. For Zack he has the physicality teams want. Jake is yet to show that one skill he can consistently add to the lineup to keep him there.
Good question. His skill set may lend itself to a good third liner if he fails at a top six role. That isn't the case for most projected top six players. That said. If I was GM and a young Dman was offered in trade. Like a Dermott. I would have to take a long look. That, or if at the draft you can get a second for Jake and you feel there is a dman like Timmins in that slot I would maybe do it.
Sometimes I wonder if they tried to hard, to early to make the kid a complete hockey player. At this point I would accept his defensive warts if he would just drive some offence.
My thoughts exactly. It's like an alcoholic. You can only do so much to help them. At some point they need to snap out of it and want to help themselves. And I agree in no way am I saying we give up on the kid.
I hear you. It's not writing him off. It doesn't take a hockey genious to see the red flags on and off the ice. The skills are there but he is trending in the wrong direction. All that said in no way do I want to trade him. I want him here. Sink or swim.
The way he has been playing I was shocked to hear he went to Vegas. It's not just Vegas. There is a breadcrumb trail questioning Jake's commitment. He is so far looking like a player who will have a short disappointing career. I 100 percent think he can turn it around. But he will need to follow the Twins and Bo dedication model for that to happen.
I question the drive and dedication to play in the world's top leugue. I can remember Bo struggling at times in his first year. At the All Star break do you think Bo would of chose to party in Vegas or take many trips to the rink and gym. Virt looked out of shape that first game back against the Oilers. His lack of determination is troubling.
He looked good to start the year. He can't pass through waivers next year. I would send him to Utica now and then get him back up for 5 to 10 games to finish the year. His confidence seems broken.