Just a few quick links to show his hunger for the center of the ice...
Evades D down low to get the puck to the point and then crashes the net with two/three defenders on top of him
Clearly, this one didn't work out, but he went middle to draw defenders. He is good stickhandling in tight and likes to play with the puck the defenders skates. The US D stifled him in that game. I am sure he was frustrated.
This is why I don't love the Barzal comparison.
I see Fiala. I see Bratt. Someone mentioned Brendan Gallagher...and one has to assume they mean his badger-like hunger for the puck and the tight areas of the rink.
I mentioned Gallagher during the season after watching him, smaller guy who will never shy away from a scrum with bigger players in it nor expect bigger teammates to fight his battles for him. He is going to draw a lot of penalties too with his feet, simply cuts and slashes with a purpose often leaving an opponent helpless.
What I`m hoping for this season
Strong Camp, gets more assimilated with the organization as a whole
Gets a bit more muscle on his frame (which it sounds like he has a bit already)
Plays lots in Providence, puts up some solid numbers
Shows willingness to compete in all 3 zones
The last one is the area of his game he`ll need to improve upon, while he`ll compete for a puck along the wall in his own zone, like to see a bit more assertiveness and identifying where he needs to be at all times in his own zone, this can be taught