According to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s director of amateur scouting, Al Murray, there are not any “A+” prospects in this years draft. But, Murray believes that there are five to ten “A” or “A-” players available.
That being said, with the third overall pick, Tampa Bay will be selecting a very special player in the June 30 draft.
This is the fifth and last in a series of scouting reports on the top choices in this year’s NHL entry level draft. We look to the prospect guru’s to introduce you to the next Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick.
Today we focus on the NHL ready defenseman and almost certain number one pick Seth Jones.
Al Murray, via TampaBayLightning.com:
“On a lot of lists, he’s the number-one prospect. He’s a very good player and you see the comparisons to Nicklas Lidstrom or Chris Pronger, but I don’t think those are even close. Pronger is much more vicious and much harder to play against than Seth, and Lidstrom’s hockey sense was at a level that not too many, or maybe even none, have ever played at. Seth is an easy skater and he’s a big right-handed shot defenseman. He can play a lot of minutes, he can lug the puck out of his zone and take it end to end, he can make plays, make quick passes or hit guys at the far blue line or run the power play. He’s both a shooter and a playmaker. He’s a very skilled player and he’s going to be a terrific addition to any team.”
Caveat: “He needs some work at his own end, as far as his defensive positioning and his commitment defensively.”
Alex Muscat, JuniorHockey.com, LightningShout:
“Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones will likely be the first player to walk to the podium in next month’s NHL Draft. Jones had an impressive 2012-13 in the WHL as he recorded 14 goals and 42 assists for 56 points in 61 games with a plus/minus rating of +46 for the Winterhawks. Jones was also a key contributor for Team USA, who won the Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia this past winter.
The son of former NBA player and current Brooklyn Nets’ assistant coach Popeye Jones, Seth has the size (6’4, 205 lbs), skill set and maturity to step in immediately and play in the NHL. With the Colorado Avalanche holding the first pick, it would be a homecoming of sorts for Jones (who was born in Texas and raised in Denver) if they do take him. Jones has “It” factor to anchor a blueline for an NHL team for the next 15 years.“
Corey Pronman, Hockey Prospectus:
“If Seth Jones has a weakness in his game, I do not see it. He is a special defense prospect, and as I outlined in the previous section, he nearly made me break my tendency of preferring an elite forward to a defenseman. Jones is a high-end (arguably an elite) skater, who moves at a unique and unusual level for such a large man. With his very large wingspan and mobility, Jones closes gaps with high efficiency, and he can be difficult to get around. His best trait is his clearly elite hockey sense. Jones was making pro-level reads when he was 16, showing he was, and still is, advanced way beyond his years. He makes a multitude of good defensive plays with positioning, stick work and anticipation. He seems to always to be a step ahead of everyone else. This is evident in his offensive ability as well. He knows when to pinch, and he can exhibit high levels of offensive skill, creativity and vision. Jones has a cannon from the point, which can make him a very dangerous player on the power play. He is a big man with a ton of weapons. Finally, his size is a tremendous asset. He stands around 6’4”, and while he isn’t a mean player, he takes his checks with the body. He projects as a top-end physical player.“
Jr. Hockey Recruit:
“Born in Plano, Texas and son of former basketball star “Popeye” Jones, Seth Jones doesn’t exactly have the roots traditionally associated with a potential 1st overall NHL draft pick. However, after two standout seasons with the USNTDP and 17 points through his first 24 WHL games with the Portland Winterhawks, he is proving to be just that.
Jones is an extremely rare blend of size, mobility, skill and raw athletic ability. He already has an NHL frame, standing 6’4 205 lbs, and despite his size, has exceptional mobility and a very smooth skating stride. He uses this high-end skating ability in Portland to carry the puck out of his own end and through the neutral zone with relative ease. When he isn’t given room to skate, Seth’s superb vision allows him to identify the appropriate outlet and make a crisp first pass out of the zone to start the play up ice. His calm demeanour and high hockey IQ means he seldom makes mistakes and turnovers in his own end are rare.
On the power play, Jones is capable of playing a quarterback role, but appears more comfortable as a shooter. He possesses an extremely heavy slapshot that he is not afraid to let go from anywhere in the offensive zone. His mobility allows him to fake, move laterally and create lanes to get his shot through which makes a very dangerous weapon at the point on the man advantage.
One of the most unique skill sets Jones possesses are his silky smooth hands; a very rare quality for a defensemen his size. He has the ability to stick handle his way out of trouble in small spaces and has excellent control of the puck at top speed.
In the defensive zone, Jones plays a more passive style of defense than one would expect from a player of his physical stature. He possesses a good active stick and his long reach provides him the ability poke pucks away, take away passing lanes and quickly clear loose pucks while his skating allows him to maintain body position and keep up with even the quickest opponents as they try to drive wide. However, Jones could benefit from adding some more grit to his game and perhaps becoming more physically aggressive in the defensive zone. He is already a physically imposing figure; he just needs to make the most of it. He will need to continue to develop the physical side of his game if he is to live up to the NHL comparisons he is drawing such as Chris Pronger and Rob Blake.”
“A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones’ athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an assett on the powerplay thanks to his mobility, puck-handling and a very dangerous slapshot.“
NHL player comparison: Chris Pronger.
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