He’s a really talented kid and Columbus is handling his development perfectly. Not pushing him, allowing it to develop pretty naturally. He could probably use another 30-40 games to help him defensively, but they’re gonna give him some games in the NHL, to see where he’s at. If he struggles any, they’ll send him back down for sure.
He’s still gonna make his rookie mistakes the first 100 games but they won’t be foundational type mistakes. Just being a little too aggressive, or getting used to the speed, etc. The type of mistakes Clarke and Edvinsson still make but not like Nemec or Jiricek we’re making, over and over again, because frankly, they just weren’t ready yet.
The game comes to Mataechyuk very naturally, on both sides of the ice. Since drafted, they’ve let him dominate Juniors and be a Top AHL dman before letting him make his debut. Watch how much more seemless his transition is over Jiricek.
Good bet he’s a pillar on their blue line by this time next season. It’s gonna make letting Provorov walk, if that’s what they choose to do, much easier.
He a big reason they were so willing to let Jiricek go too.
