People always wanted Patches to use his size/strength more, but he still had much more of a power game than Yager. He was 6'2" 203 lbs on draft day (source: 2007 CSB FINAL (NA SKATERS)), while Yager is 6' 166 lbs - 2" and 37 pounds is a huge size difference. Same-age Patches hit way more, and much harder, than Yager, and ploughing through guys with strength on the way to the net was a much bigger part of Patches' game. Yager also likes to take the puck to the net, but he doesn't plough through guys, he mostly just skates around them with speed, and uses the leg to fend off last ditch swipes at the puck, once he's already by his man. And he really doesn't hit much.
I can see some similarities - both snipers, both pretty north/south players, both like to beat you wide to the net, but there are major differences too. Patches a lot bigger, relies much more on power elements in his game, while Yager is well ahead of same-age Patches in skating, and I'd say has a hockey IQ edge on same-age Patches too.
IMO, a "OK but a bit disappointing" outcome for Yager would be a Jared McCann type, while a "developed really well, hit near peak upside" would be more of a midway point between Kyle Connor and Logan Couture. Don't really see the Patches comp - people always wanted more from Patches in terms of physicality/nastiness, as well as consistent compete level, but he was still much more of a power forward than Yager will be.
I can see some similarities - both snipers, both pretty north/south players, both like to beat you wide to the net, but there are major differences too. Patches a lot bigger, relies much more on power elements in his game, while Yager is well ahead of same-age Patches in skating, and I'd say has a hockey IQ edge on same-age Patches too.
IMO, a "OK but a bit disappointing" outcome for Yager would be a Jared McCann type, while a "developed really well, hit near peak upside" would be more of a midway point between Kyle Connor and Logan Couture. Don't really see the Patches comp - people always wanted more from Patches in terms of physicality/nastiness, as well as consistent compete level, but he was still much more of a power forward than Yager will be.