Player Discussion Jake Sanderson (D) PART 3

[starling]

Jake and Faber were the youngest defensemen at this tournament (born in the same month) and the youngest players in the final.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Jake and Faber were the youngest defensemen at this tournament (born in the same month) and the youngest players in the final.

Maybe I'm biased but Jake looked quite a bit better too.

 

[LuckyPierre]

He got lost in coverage and allowed Mackinnon to use him as a full screen on the first goal.

Battled back with an amazing pinch and snipe to give his country the lead. Total redemption and more.

Played top 4 minutes matched up against 29 and 97 and made the right reads and plays almost every time.

He excelled at puck retrievals, neutralizing the best that Canada's forecheck had to offer.

He also wasn't afraid to make the safe play and make soft chips off the glass into the neutral zone.

Hell of a game and tournament, going from America's punch line to a legitimate two way threat against the best of Canada.

Having been an NHL star of the week, and then a standout best on best player, this bodes real well for a strong playoff drive from 85.

 

[TheNewEra]

another thing to point out is that he was playing his off side and did not look out of place at all

it does open up options for the team next season if needed

 

[jake1]

Maybe I'm biased but Jake looked quite a bit better too.

Can't decide what I think of Faber. Does everything well and rarely makes mistakes. But not an ice tilting skater like Sanderson. I know which I prefer, but as you said, is it just bias?

 

[PlayOn]

Maybe I'm biased but Jake looked quite a bit better too.

It’s hard to compare because Faber was getting big minutes all tournament and tough matchups, but when Sanderson was given the opportunity he stepped up and was huge.

I think Werenski and Slavin were the standout dmen for the US, but after that I think you can make an argument for Sanderson over anyone.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[bicboi64]

Slavin was an absolute beast defensively. Sanderson is still going to get better and is almost as good as him! Can't wait for the Sandman to keep developing whatever aspects of his game

 

[SlapJack]

Last 60 days of hockey before the 4 nation break, which amounts to about 1/3rd of the season. If Sanderson's offensive production was nothing, he would still be one of the most valuable players on the team because of the importance of his stellar defensive play. Yet he's putting up top 10 offensive numbers AND 18 of those games were on the road. That is significant since it's tougher to score on the road when you don't have last change and the home team can get the preferred matchups. Even more significant is that he is the guy leaned on heavily to shut down the top offensive threats, and that really disrupts the flow of your shifts.

Another telling stat that's missing from here is....he led the Senators in scoring over this period. Tied with Stutzle in one less GP.

I remember watching him in that UND playoff game that went 5 OT periods or something, he was still out there playing like it was still the 1st period - not gassed at all and absolutely dominant. He was the whole game regardless, but it was crazy how he looked so fresh after 8 hours of hockey. And in the world juniors he was integral to the US winning the gold medal game.

If you want to win a Cup, that's the guy you want to build your team around. I wouldn't trade him for any other D in the NHL not named Makar. Quinn Hughes would make me consider it, but Jake's ours and it wouldn't be worth the risk altering the structure of the team. Hell, even Makar is debatable because he tends to miss big chunks of time from injury (ben good lately though), and how much will his next contract be for 2027?? Probably double what Sanderson is getting until 2032.