Jesse Blacker

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Future

Registered User
Feb 8, 2011
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How has he played this year? I have only seen him play once or twice. Can anyone that has seen him play more tell me what you think of him?

He is a defenseman and was a Leafs 2nd round pick in 2009 and recorded 54 points in 62 games this season and 12 points in 15 games in the playoffs in the OHL and was a +17 for the Owen Sound Attack. He finished 5th in defensemen scoring behind Ryan Ellis, Ryan Murphy, Josh McFadden, and 4 points less than Dougie Hamilton who played 5 more games.

All I heard of him was that in his draft year he was more of a big bodied defensive d man and then exploded offensively when he went to Owen Sound.

Can anyone tell me how he plays and who he compares to? Also maybe his potential.
 
I watched him a couple times this year. He looks as though he's on a different level then most players on the ice. He has great speed, vision, and passing. He often makes tape to tape passes and has a pretty good shot. He should make the Leafs within the upcoming season, probably mid-way along with Gardiner. He kind of compares to a more physical and faster Kaberle who shoots more often
 
He kind of compares to a more physical and faster Kaberle who shoots more often
:facepalm:

He in no way plays like Tomas Kaberle. He in no way has the vision or patience of Tomas Kaberle. His primary role is not the same -- and will likely not be so at the next level -- as Tomas Kaberle (PP QB). Oh, he and Gardiner will just slot into the Leafs lineup together, eh? That'll help a playoff run, two rookie D-men. Won't happen.

These threads always make me laugh. Even if you get an OP who isn't just fishing for compliments, you get nothing but other fans of the same team gushing about him in nonsensical ways. Let someone answer who has a clue.
 
I watched him a couple times this year. He looks as though he's on a different level then most players on the ice. He has great speed, vision, and passing. He often makes tape to tape passes and has a pretty good shot. He should make the Leafs within the upcoming season, probably mid-way along with Gardiner. He kind of compares to a more physical and faster Kaberle who shoots more often

Maybe cause he should be on a different level, but is instead behind in his development and is therefore playing as an overager in an easier league so he makes it seem that he is better
 
Maybe cause he should be on a different level, but is instead behind in his development and is therefore playing as an overager in an easier league so he makes it seem that he is better
He's not an over age player.
Instead of arguing about other peoples opinions how about you share your own.
I have. Several times over the last two years, on the Leafs board, where he has been discussed ad nauseum. If you're looking for new input, from someone watching the OHL playoffs every game, I'm of no use. Hence, I don't chime in with bunk...I just hate seeing it.
 
Maybe cause he should be on a different level, but is instead behind in his development and is therefore playing as an overager in an easier league so he makes it seem that he is better

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He definitely made a good career choice coming to Owen Sound.

Having seen him probably 50 times now, heres a really quick rundown of what I think about him:

-Two-way defenseman with a solid frame
-Has really settled into his game last year, cuts down on stupid risks that he made last season
-Can throw the body around but picks his spots better, though he can throw huge checks
-Super strong puck mover, when he rushes the puck up ice, people notice, great wheels
-Huge boomer from the point although accuracy needs some work
-Eats big minutes at the junior level in all situations
-Often tries to do too much himself, still prone to risky plays
-Defensively has decent positioning and is steadily improving in 1 on 1 play

Hes definitely a quality prospect and right now Id say his upside is a solid Top 4 defenseman with Powerplay Potential. Could he be a top pairing defender? Possibly, but Top 4 seems like a pretty good projection.

His pro experience from last season with the Marlies really really helped him out, helped him settle down and play smart hockey. He should be a good pro, he will just need to improve his decision making (already miles better since his arrival) and cut down on some defensive miscues. From what Ive heard and read (since I havent been able to make a playoff game yet), hes really stepped up and been a terrific all around defender.

I would say his timeline for cracking an NHL roster is likely 2013.
 
I don't know if it's just me, but he reminds me of PK Subban when he starts skating the puck up the ice.
 
He was the best player on the ice in the London / Owen Sound series.

He's got the ability to score and move the puck nicely. When he wants to hit someone that person feels it and usually doesn't take himself out of the play to do it.

He reminds me actually of a more controlled Phaneuf. Compared to last season Jesse is a much more responsible player in his own end and if he rushes the puck he's usually the first player back.
 
I don't know if it's just me, but he reminds me of PK Subban when he starts skating the puck up the ice.

I'd say his stride is more powerful, and he has more top-end speed. He also seems more straight up physical, although not an agitator. He doesn't have P.K.'s hands and agility though.

Reminds me of Keith Ballard.
 
Maybe cause he should be on a different level, but is instead behind in his development and is therefore playing as an overager in an easier league so he makes it seem that he is better

He is a 91, overage players are 90's.

He was very strong in a brief stint with the Marlies last year.

Hes probably one of the top 4-5 defenceman in the OHL this year, and as others have said, slots out as a solid depth defenceman at the next level, perhaps a second line powerplay guy.

Hes really stepped up his game in the last 18 months.
 
Most likely he'll be with the makes next year right?
Almost certainly. Definitely a long shot to make the Leafs, where Phaneuf, Schenn, Aulie, Gunnarsson and Komi should be near locks for 5 of the 6 spots, with the 6th spot being filled by either a free agent (somewhat likely), Lashoff (somewhat likely), Gardiner (somewhat likely), some other Marlie (less likely), or Lebda (*shudder*). And I highly doubt Blacker goes back to juniors, showed all he needs to show down there, so the AHL is the safe bet IMO. You never know what could happen in training camp, but I doubt Blacker makes the Leafs.

Marlies should be fun to watch next year, I'd expect prospects like Blacker, Gardiner, Colborne, Ross, McKegg, D'Amigo, Rynnas and Scrivens to all start the year down there, which would be more young talent than we've had in the AHL in quite a while, always great to have for injury callups.
 
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He was just named to the third all star team in the OHL, so he is one of the top 6 defenceman this season.
 
Almost certainly. Definitely a long shot to make the Leafs, where Phaneuf, Schenn, Aulie, Gunnarsson and Komi should be near locks for 5 of the 6 spots, with the 6th spot being filled by either a free agent (somewhat likely), Lashoff (somewhat likely), Gardiner (somewhat likely), some other Marlie (less likely), or Lebda (*shudder*). And I highly doubt Blacker goes back to juniors, showed all he needs to show down there, so the AHL is the safe bet IMO. You never know what could happen in training camp, but I doubt Blacker makes the Leafs.

Marlies should be fun to watch next year, I'd expect prospects like Blacker, Gardiner, Colborne, Ross, McKegg, D'Amigo, Rynnas and Scrivens to all start the year down there, which would be more young talent than we've had in the AHL in quite a while, always great to have for injury callups.

Ross and McKegg have to return to junior next season
 
He was also one of the Leafs best young defencemen in preseason this year and didn't look out of place in any of the preseason games he played... but with something like 15 defencemen who the Leafs had to distribute between the NHL and AHL, the chances of him sticking around were basically nil.
 
Been hearing good things about Blacker around here. I expect if he shows promise in the AHL next year, he will get some time in the Bigs. A lot will depend on injuries, and how close Toronto is to the playoffs. If your duking it out to secure a spot, he might have to wait till the year after.
 
Yeah, considering they won't be turning 20 by the end of this year, and haven't completed 4 years of juniors yet.
Touche. Definitely a dumb rule, I can see forcing guys to stay one extra year in the CHL so they don't lose all their stars super early, but 2 extra years is quite the stall on development for the (many) players who are too good for the CHL but not yet NHL caliber.
 
Touche. Definitely a dumb rule, I can see forcing guys to stay one extra year in the CHL so they don't lose all their stars super early, but 2 extra years is quite the stall on development for the (many) players who are too good for the CHL but not yet NHL caliber.

I dunno. I think its a great rule. Very very few players are pro ready - and those that are should be in the NHL. It keeps the star players in juniors, which keeps fans coming to the game, allows younger players to learn from these vets, and it lets these players dominate and learn the subtleties of their play. Add to that, most of them are physically immature still.
 

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