Player Discussion Jake Sanderson (D) PART 3

[Micklebot]

Okay I overestimated his offensive game then. I thought he would be much more dynamic at even strength. With the puck and without. But does lot seem to be coming

He's shown some flashes of that, not sure if he's dialed it back to focus on D or if there's something else at play.

What seems to be missing to me this season is the effortlessly beating the forchecker and starting the rush, he used to make a quick pivot after retrieving the puck to give himself space to either skate the puck up ice or make a clean first pass starting the rush.

In the OZ he can dance along the blue line to open up lanes, but only really seems to do that stuff on the PP. We might see more pinching for offense down the road.

The skill set is there, he has the skating, and the hands. He's just always had more of a D first mindset, and with our goalies struggling, I suspect he's taking fewer risks.

 

[Dionysus]

The 1st 10 or so games he was superb. Better than last season easily. The last stretch his skating has looked labored to me. Not able to effortlessly escape the forecheck and transition to offense. Last game he looked closer to what I expect from him when healthy.

 

[Adrianopolous]

We need to start the discussion

 

[OD99]

His read on the tie goal was brutal. He was so far over to the right and didn't even look at his man...that was Pee Wee stuff.

He needs to get someone to fix his head, and start playing proper hockey again.

 

[LuckyPierre]

So that everyone's on the same page, he is tops in the league among defenders in power play assists, and third in power play points. His ability to facilitate smooth zone entries is underrated, and he makes quick decisions and keeps his feet moving at the line.

At the same time, I also feel that he has some room for improvement in terms of puck distribution and shot threat on the power play.. a few bobbled pucks and failed zone keeps that could be cleaned up.

All this to say, his play is a major reason why Ottawa's power play is ranked fourth in the league. A hot power play can keep this team competitive.

Of course, concern about his play at even strength is justified, but with adequate support those concerns go away. He'll have to continue to adjust to life without Zub in the medium term and play more conservatively 5 on 5.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

So that everyone's on the same page, he is tops in the league among defenders in power play assists, and third in power play points. His ability to facilitate smooth zone entries is underrated, and he makes quick decisions and keeps his feet moving at the line.

At the same time, I also feel that he has some room for improvement in terms of puck distribution and shot threat on the power play.. a few bobbled pucks and failed zone keeps that could be cleaned up.

All this to say, his play is a major reason why Ottawa's power play is ranked fourth in the league. A hot power play can keep this team competitive.

Of course, concern about his play at even strength is justified, but with adequate support those concerns go away. He'll have to continue to adjust to life without Zub in the medium term and play more conservatively 5 on 5.

Him and Timmy have confidence with the puck on their stick on the PP that is completely unrivaled on the team. They don't look like they're trying not to have the puck taken away and pass it off to a teammate like so many do, they look like they want to make something happen everytime.