I guess I don't agree on a number of levels regarding the package of skills he brings to the table. You should remember that in some of these clips, he's 15 or 16 years old. So, yeah, what you saw in that video ''wont transfer'' to the NHL. Because it's a 15 year old kid not named McDavid. Here's why I think Jesperi's offensive game will transfer.
First, he's able to pick corners with a variety of shots. He actually has a wider variety of shots than Zadina does. Zadina essentially has the one shot: classic wrist shot with weight transfer. Look at all of his goals this year, and they're almost all released off his outside foot, using body rotation to generate power. I can show you video of Jesperi beating pro goaltenders off his inside foot, and outside foot, and in terms of one timers, Jesperi actually has Zadina beat. Filip's one timer is actually pretty awful. It's more like he tries to surprise the goaltender than he blows it past him.
As for his passing game, in that video alone we see him deliver cross-ice saucer passes on the tape. I've seen him do this without looking across the seam of a pro defence. I actually rewound the tape to be sure of what I was seeing. Now, the recipient bobbled the pass, so it didn't make the highlight reel, but in case you're curious it was September 26th against IFK in the 3rd period.
And finally, as you say, he's a puck protection player. He's a beast against his age group, and capable of winning battles ahead of his age group. You can knock him down, and he can still win the puck battle. And if you have him completely cut off, with the flick of his wrist he can find an open player.
I agree he's not a future top 10 centerman. That sort of projection is, as of today, out of reach for him. However, the kind of centerman he is, you don't get the opportunity to draft every day. You either take your opportunities and get lucky, or you ***** and moan about having Danault and Byron playing center for you.
Full rebuild is in order, I believe that now more than ever.
