Plays with a lot of energy and quickness and has a terrific shot, that's for sure. But he didn't show much hockey sense. He's a high volume shooter that doesn't really engage with his linemates effectively, from what I saw. He's very much a "shoot first" player. Now, before there's a barrage of posts pointing to his assist totals, I think a lot of his assists come from shot attempts / rebounds or other high energy plays. He definitely isn't easy to play with for highly skilled players (like Matthews). He reminds me a lot of a smaller Evander Kane, without the same speed.
F Frank Vatrano (2012 undrafted; 2015 signed, BOS)
- Thread starter Mathletic
- Start date
Plays with a lot of energy and quickness and has a terrific shot, that's for sure. But he didn't show much hockey sense. He's a high volume shooter that doesn't really engage with his linemates effectively, from what I saw. He's very much a "shoot first" player. Now, before there's a barrage of posts pointing to his assist totals, I think a lot of his assists come from shot attempts / rebounds or other high energy plays. He definitely isn't easy to play with for highly skilled players (like Matthews). He reminds me a lot of a smaller Evander Kane, without the same speed.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
his speed really impressed me. he will do just fine at the NHL level next year with that nose for the net he has.
I don't think that's unfair at all. He's not the type to generate something from nothing or create for others. I wouldn't necessarily call it a hockey sense issue. From his NHL debut, I think I was most impressed by his feel for the game. He looked like he belonged from the beginning. Didn't matter if he was playing RW with Bergeron/Marchand or LW Talbot/Randell. From my experience, players who lack sense, generally have a longer adjustment period when moving up a level and playing out of their comfort zone. Especially when it comes to decision making and adapting to the speed at which plays are made. To go from a 21 year old unheralded and underdeveloped college signing to the AHL... to the NHL... then to the Worlds. It's a pretty significant jump. Not suggesting it's a strength, but argue it is more to do with lack of vision/hands/lateral skating in his individual skill set than it is hockey sense. He plays to his strengths. Powerful north south skater. Good physical side, which I think people underrate because of his listed height, but he's 215 lbs and hit's like a bowling ball. And then of course there's the filthy shot.
I've said before I'm pretty confident he's a player. Just not sure where he slots in long term. I've compared him to Chuck Kobasew, Matt Beleskey, Chris Kunitz etc. Classic gritty middle-6 talent. I kind of like the smaller/less explosive E.Kane comparison as well. Maybe it's on the other end and he's a penalty killing 4th liner who can bury it when given room. I think the question will be how successful will he be at getting his shot off at the NHL level? Averaged 2.5/per game in limited minutes and mostly bottom-6 duty last year for the Bruins. Lead team USA with 34 shots in 10 games at the WC. Was at 5+ per game in the AHL.
@BadBruins
Is he an undisciplined player? He took a number of poor penalties in the tournament. It was rather frustrating to watch at times.
Is he an undisciplined player? He took a number of poor penalties in the tournament. It was rather frustrating to watch at times.
I honestly don't believe that has ever been a concern. At least at the NHL level, although the sample size isn't huge (39 games). It's was an even smaller 10 game sample at the World Championships where there is bound to be some anomalies.
Emerz
#1 PLD Fanboy
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
-
GDT: ECSF: Game 5 - Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers, 7pm ET, ESPN (61 Viewers)- Latest: Ratsreign
-
-
-
-
