Player Discussion Nick Jensen (D)

[Xspyrit]

Nice bounce back game

I was a bit worried after the Tampa game, 34 y/o is an age you're at risk of a steep decline. David Savard is 34 and looks to be taking a dive right now.

Oduya also took a nose dive around that age (35 actually) despite playing 24:45 per game on the Stanley Cup champs at 33 y/o

The NHL is a hard league, it can change really fast for any player

 

[zenator]

When old-ish players have a steep decline, it's usually because they were average to below-average skaters that lost speed and mobility and became glacially slow and can't keep up anymore. Heatley, Cheechoo, Redden (Rangers), etc. for Sens examples.

Jensen is a fast skater for a defensemen, so he has to lose a lot more speed / mobility than most guys to become useless. I think having him for 2 years is the perfect amount of time.


Edit: what we need from Jensen is for him to be an average or even a little below-average NHL defenseman, which would make a serviceable #4. So far so good.

 

[BankStreetParade]

He had an excellent game against Utah. Doesn't change the fact that he wasn't great in the first 5 games, and, sometimes, was downright shit. However, it's still very early in the season so hopefully he starts getting even in the good game-bad game ledger.

 

[PlayersLtd]

When old-ish players have a steep decline, it's usually because they were average to below-average skaters that lost speed and mobility and became glacially slow and can't keep up anymore. Heatley, Cheechoo, Redden (Rangers), etc. for Sens examples.

Jensen is a fast skater for a defensemen, so he has to lose a lot more speed / mobility than most guys to become useless. I think having him for 2 years is the perfect amount of time.


Edit: what we need from Jensen is for him to be an average or even a little below-average NHL defenseman, which would make a serviceable #4. So far so good.

100% except he is more than just a fast skater, he is an incredibly fluid skater. I would put him as one of the best skaters on the team right now.

That makes a big deference in career longevity, as you said. Evidently the comparisons to average 34 year old stay at home D men were misplaced when people were criticizing the move.

 

[Silky Johnson]

He had an excellent game against Utah. Doesn't change the fact that he wasn't great in the first 5 games, and, sometimes, was downright shit. However, it's still very early in the season so hopefully he starts getting even in the good game-bad game ledger.

What games were you watching? He has been fine.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

He had an excellent game against Utah. Doesn't change the fact that he wasn't great in the first 5 games, and, sometimes, was downright shit. However, it's still very early in the season so hopefully he starts getting even in the good game-bad game ledger.

He's never been shit at any point. He's been pretty solid all season so far. Him and Chabot are the only pairing on the team that are playing with a new partner, that's going to take some time for them to learn each other's games. A few mistakes are bound to happen to start.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

He had an excellent game against Utah. Doesn't change the fact that he wasn't great in the first 5 games, and, sometimes, was downright shit. However, it's still very early in the season so hopefully he starts getting even in the good game-bad game ledger.

He's been much closer to excellent than shit in almost every game, lol.

Last game he was spectacular.

Think of it this way, Chabot hasn't been under heat last 2-3 games since Jensen been paired with him. It isn't a coincidence, Jensen is a very calming presence with great defense and skating.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Can't imagine taking issue with his game so far this year. Seems fine to me, and above my own expectations.

 

[Micklebot]

Can't imagine taking issue with his game so far this year. Seems fine to me, and above my own expectations.

He had a few giveaways and plays where he wasn't showing enough urgency in the earlier games, but nothing glaringly bad imo.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

He had a few giveaways and plays where he wasn't showing enough urgency in the earlier games, but nothing glaringly bad imo.

That I would agree with. There were some moments, but overall I'm pretty happy.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Nice bounce back game

I was a bit worried after the Tampa game, 34 y/o is an age you're at risk of a steep decline. David Savard is 34 and looks to be taking a dive right now.

Oduya also took a nose dive around that age (35 actually) despite playing 24:45 per game on the Stanley Cup champs at 33 y/o

The NHL is a hard league, it can change really fast for any player

Jensen is still a great skater though. I feel like that alone could prolong a decent career as a defensive d-man. He was really known for his physicality either.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

The biggest strength with Jensen is his smarts. Even if he loses his speed, he can still be an effective bottom pairing dman off of smarts alone.

 

[Icelevel]

He was amazing last game. What a first period.
He’s been good and solid like I was expecting but that was offensive awareness and skill I didn’t know he could bring.

 

[Cosmix]

Nice bounce back game

I was a bit worried after the Tampa game, 34 y/o is an age you're at risk of a steep decline. David Savard is 34 and looks to be taking a dive right now.

Oduya also took a nose dive around that age (35 actually) despite playing 24:45 per game on the Stanley Cup champs at 33 y/o

The NHL is a hard league, it can change really fast for any player

Yes, losing just a fraction of a second in speed or acceleration could make a player vulnerable to being beat or caught or hit.

 

[Cosmix]

The biggest strength with Jensen is his smarts. Even if he loses his speed, he can still be an effective bottom pairing dman off of smarts alone.

He seems to be playing a very solid defensive game. I like how he sometimes charges a player who has the puck near the blue line and pushes him and the puck outside the D zone. Our other D almost never do that.

I used to like the way Jason Smith used straight-arming to knock opposing forwards off kilter and down. I have not seen any of our D do that either.

 

[Cosmix]

Exactly as advertised. A stabilizer Methot-type without bone-crushing hits.

Really solid and already counted on in big moments and has risen to the occasion. I think we should keep him with Sanderson and Zub with Chabot. Chabot needs Zub.

Chabot needs coaching.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Chabot needs coaching.

He needs a psychologist honestly.