I haven't been impressed with Jiricek. I never really loved the pick but it was the consensus BPA so I was fine with it. So many posters were claiming he's legit so I kinda of just believed it. This year wasn't great for him. Really just too slow footspeed wise and hasn't impressed offensively either.
Seth Jones effect I’m 100% convinced of. If you remember, people were CRAZY about Sillinger also immediately after being drafted and WELL after he was showing to be something different.
I’m with you though regarding Jiricek. It’s not necessarily his foot speed, but, it’s his agility that’s unbelievably terrible. I’m saying it might be something that should have significantly dropped his draft position. (Probably the same for Sillinger)
His skating overall is bad, and you compound that with his “defensive awareness” not being up to speed, and he’s legit a disaster at the NHL level. Yung Gabe Carlsson could be his rap name. And as you say, his offensive tools aren’t THAT great, as skating in the NHL is arguably the most important aspect, which will hinder him in all aspects on the ice.
Obviously it's still early but the entitlement/attitude issues are another concern. I'm sure there's blame to go around with that so I won't harp on it too much but damn you would think he'd be a whole lot better if he's that confident he deserves a spot.
This also. There’s a difference between giving a guy looks and “developing” in the NHL in “lost years”, and a delusional player expecting to play regularly in a league he literally doesn’t belong in, and then makes it “public” when he gets DESERVED pushback from the team.
If sub 6 foot Nick Blankenburg plays better defense than you, you might need to look at yourself.
Haha, that said I’m somebody who’s 5 foot 4 with shoes on (this might impact my Mateychuk/Jiricek bias and anybody who rates or looks at a player or prospect more favorable just because of size) and this rubs me the wrong way. It should read, “If sub 6 foot NB is stronger (or more effective) than you”…
Or
“If an undrafted defenseman is better at defense than you”
….both would be accurate.
Plenty of GREAT small defenseman.