I think he’s got that kind of talent. The size, speed and strength to dominate in the neutral zone and the dual-threat high level shot and passing. And he’s not Barkov but I think Vegas asks more of him defensively (and he provides it) than guys like McDrai and MacK.
I mean it’s really all there but Vegas is much more of a score by committee team. He’ll be 28 later this month. I wouldn’t be terribly shocked if he had like a really special season left him where maybe he stuffs the stat sheet enough to draw some additional attention. But at this point, I think the production just doesn’t line up with what people want to see for that “tier” and while he’s become a really robust two-way center in Vegas, he’s not a Barkov in that department, even if he’s underrated in it.
Ya, I went from being a huge Jack fan, to really disliking him, to thinking he can kinda be a dink while agreeing with him completely on wanting outta Buffalo- dude could score 120 points when healthy, but why bother? If Vegas is as they’ve been, getting to the postseason healthy is the bigger thing for Jack.
Seriously, I started a whole thread about his slowish start with Vegas, when he was sub ppg. He got a bit healthier, adjusted to a new system, but like- at his best he looked like a top 5 league-wide player while in Buffalo. He didn’t do that until he had to for Vegas, in playoffs, when it matters. On a bad team I think he could go full Taylor Hall now, but he’s playing a balanced, cerebral game. So- I ain’t reading that wall of text OP posted, but this is my own long-winded way of saying he could be a top 5 forward while not being a top 5 scorer. Again, depends on Vegas’ build/season, but he did well focusing on the all—around game until it was time to dominate a bit in the playoffs.