14-15 Report/15-16 Outlook: Former Ducks 1st round selection in 2009 (15th overall) produced at a 3rd line rate (1.63 Pts/60) at 5v5 and 2nd liner for goals (0.77 Gls/60) .. missed 20 games, evenly split between upper body injury in January and 10 games lower body in March .. scored his first goal eight games into the season, seeing the ice sparingly on the 4th line before a 4-goal outburst in six games (6-4-2-6) when hooked up with Mike Santorelli and Leo Komarov (50 GF% & 43.8 CF%) on a wildly high 13.04 on-ice shooting percentage – his most productive period of the season .. went 14 games without a shot on goal .. positive trend is an increase on points earned in on-ice goals (63.3) every season since breaking into the NHL, with career highs in virtually across the board .. smooth, fast and rangy on his feet – displays good athleticism .. nifty stickhandler able to make quick, skilled plays in traffic .. protects the puck exploiting a tall, lanky frame and wingspan .. shooting arsenal includes a crisp wristshot and snapshot unload in top gear .. textbook smart while still prone to mental lapses .. Jekyll-and-Hyde at times – dominating one shift and reluctant to compete the next – must continue to upgrade battle intensity and overall focus – idles defensively and passes up opportunities to finish checks .. still adapting to utilize his brawny frame and stick in proper positioning .. an effective checker capable of winning 1-on-1 duels with his skill, quickness, and strength .. depth winger that can add more up front.
Rewarded with a spot on the opening roster and a brief NHL stay before returning to Norfolk where he had flourished over the lockout (34-12-19-31) .. earned two subsequent call-ups, the second a month-long stint that stretched into April...
14-15 Report/15-16 Outlook: Former Ducks 1st round selection in 2009 (15th overall) produced at a 3rd line rate (1.63 Pts/60) at 5v5 and 2nd liner for goals (0.77 Gls/60) .. missed 20 games, evenly split between upper body injury in January and 10 games lower body in March .. scored his first goal eight games into the season, seeing the ice sparingly on the 4th line before a 4-goal outburst in six games (6-4-2-6) when hooked up with Mike Santorelli and Leo Komarov (50 GF% & 43.8 CF%) on a wildly high 13.04 on-ice shooting percentage – his most productive period of the season .. went 14 games without a shot on goal .. positive trend is an increase on points earned in on-ice goals (63.3) every season since breaking into the NHL, with career highs in virtually across the board .. smooth, fast and rangy on his feet – displays good athleticism .. nifty stickhandler able to make quick, skilled plays in traffic .. protects the puck exploiting a tall, lanky frame and wingspan .. shooting arsenal includes a crisp wristshot and snapshot unload in top gear .. textbook smart while still prone to mental lapses .. Jekyll-and-Hyde at times – dominating one shift and reluctant to compete the next – must continue to upgrade battle intensity and overall focus – idles defensively and passes up opportunities to finish checks .. still adapting to utilize his brawny frame and stick in proper positioning .. an effective checker capable of winning 1-on-1 duels with his skill, quickness, and strength .. depth winger that can add more up front.
Rewarded with a spot on the opening roster and a brief NHL stay before returning to Norfolk where he had flourished over the lockout (34-12-19-31) .. earned two subsequent call-ups, the second a month-long stint that stretched into April and included a top-six audition centering Teemu Selanne .. fired goals in consecutive games in March, but quickly faded and was dispatched to the AHL for the stretch run .. wound up finishing second on the Admirals with 19 goals - in 45 games .. continues to flash attractive 'high-end' skills - and is being groomed for an offensive role .. however, finding a steady compete level holds the key to advancing full-time .. still tends to go in bursts and stops moving his feet after making plays .. this natural 'let up' makes it appear as if others are working harder on the ice - an area that is magnified at the NHL level .. these lags can also leave him a step late reacting to changes on the ice, particularly on the defensive side .. may always be a player who scores in spurts - while otherwise flirting with the coaches doghouse .. will be facing higher expectations entering the final year of his entry-level contract.
Scouting: Smooth, fast and rangy on his feet - displays good athleticism .. nifty stickhandler able to make quick, skilled plays in traffic .. protects the puck exploiting a tall, lanky frame .. best weapon is a crisp wristshot and snapshot that he can unload in top gear .. textbook smart yet prone to lapses in decision making .. can be Jekyll-and-Hyde at times - dominating one shift and reluctant to compete the next .. must continue to upgrade his battle intensity and overall focus - idles defensively and passes up opportunities to finish checks .. doesn’t yet utilize his stick and body productively, albeit can develop as an effective checker capable of winning 1-on-1 duels with his skill, quickness, and strength.
2011-12 Report: Progressed well in his first pro season, buoyed by a four-game NHL debut in November in which his first goal was a game-winner .. finished second in scoring on Syracuse with 60 points - and fourth among AHL rookies - but missed the playoffs to a concussion .. took his game to 'eye-catching' levels during an eight-game surge in March (8-4-10-14), landing AHL 'Rookie of the Month' honours.
