He's definitely not a bad player but there's something missing I think. It's always been missing too.
Four elements to a good top 6 forward (IMO)
Size
Speed
Tenacity
Skill (vision, playmaking, shot)
He's got the skill, but it feels like he needs another 10% - 15% of some or all of the others to get to that level we need him to be at.
Like any young player who has played and had nothing but success in his career and then goes to the show and doesn’t pan out like he or his management wants.
I’m sure Cole isn’t happy not doing what he is capable of in his own assumption. IMO whether he turns it around now, later, or never. Bottom line other top players drafted top 20 are figuring out how they can be better as well, do to bad numbers.
Cole is the only one to make Cole a better all around player. He gains some weight and strength are doable. Getting put with the right people and being held accountable for his play is the way you get better.
Let’s hope he at least gets a dozen games to get quality TOI without Ehlers. They don’t compliment each other it’s like putting a square into a circle it doesn’t work much like those 2. So make the right changes to have them both more successful. If it’s a trade then fine. As long as it helps the team be more competitive.
Jets are lacking a bonafide 2C once that is done I can see a much stronger team that has 3 strong lines and that makes the team better. Remember Cole is 23 and has played well at times but was drafted to put up some points.
We hope as fans that he can get his game back and a real 2C will help the team. One of the keys to the teams success if they want to get past the 1st rd