Player Discussion Jackson LaCombe

[ohcomeonref]

I hate that he's paired with Gudas. Like, I get wanting Radko's veteran presence in important moments (even if his play doesn't really help us out) but I would take Trouba or even Helleson with LaCombe.

I'd love to try Helly with LaCombe and see what happens. They could very well be our top pairing for years

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I hate that he's paired with Gudas. Like, I get wanting Radko's veteran presence in important moments (even if his play doesn't really help us out) but I would take Trouba or even Helleson with LaCombe.

When I think about it more, I don't mind LaCombe carrying Gudas. Last year, Gudas made every defenseman who played with him look better. LaCombe was supposed to stick with Gudas all last year in his rookie season. This year, LaCombe is firmly with Gudas and not a revolving partner as well as rotating sides like last season. Gudas is able to impart a lot of knowledge and experience onto LaCombe on and off the ice. Leave LaCombe with Gudas for the rest of this season. Let LaCombe be able to process the experience in the off-season and build off of that. Last off-season worked for him to process, reflect, and address what needed improvement.

Next season, I'm hoping we see at least a dozen LaCombe Smashes as LaCombe continues to build his body in the off-season. We already are seeing him be more assertive after the whistle is blown when opponents want to start being physical. Gudas is slowly rubbing off on him.

 

[All Mighty]

 

[robbieboy3686]

Absolutely shocking stuff. Glad to have been wrong on him.

 

[Reveille1984]

He's basically turned into what I thought Mintyukov would be this year

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Watch this Video about Keith.. and think about Lacombe.. Very similar.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Sometimes you just have to give guys time to develop especially ones like this who grew up playing forward so much he's still learning the nuances of defense

 

[Leonardo87]

 

[HanSolo]

I didn't think Jackson would be a bust or anything but I really didn't expect this level of brilliance from him. My hype was focused on Minty, Zell, and Luneau, and it's still possible that one or more of them could end up better than JL, but right now he's our best bet to develop a true elite number 1 defenseman, and while I'm worried about our youth development as a while, it's been really nice to see Lacombe take such massive leaps forward.