Claimed:Jakub Pastrnak: Rookie Profile

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Jakub Pastrnak - Rookie Profile

 

Most Czechs are pegged into the fleet foot role when they enter the professional scene, and Jakub Pastrnak is absolutely no exception. A 6'2" 187 pound long-man from Vyskov, a few miles outside Brno, Jakub has been following the light foot of NHL pros like Ales Hemsky and trying to mimic the scoring capabilities of the greatness that is Jaromir Jagr. Fortunately for the international community, Jakub is going to the VHL, and thus has to go through the likes of Arcturus Mengsk in Cologne and other speedy wingers that rack up the points in the VHFL teams across the globe. Looking at this profile, scouts have identified a few key strengths and weaknesses to Pastrnak's game that will make him a great player, but maybe not an immediate starter.

 

Pastrnak shows off his handles and skating prowess on this goal scoring opportunity

 

STRENGTHS

Scoring - The left wing is known sometimes as a two-role position: either you have your bruiser that enforces the play on this side, or you have a light guy that can whizz by others and make the "fast break" for the score. Pastrnak fits into the latter role, racking up goals with his juniors league in the Czech Republic playing top line minutes. His eye for the net and gaps is like that of a running back in football, finding the slightest weakness in the fault lines of the goalie shield and utilizing them with his quick stick and feet. Jakub still has a ways to go mentally in the game of hockey, but this is one area where his mind is already sharp as a knife.

Skating - In that break-out play above, you see Jakub fly past the defender on the left side. Fans in Brno and the surrounding burbs are used to this scene with Jakub, as he skates on another level This helps him in multiple aspects, including his pet project of the penalty shot. Having jets removes reaction time from the goalie standpoint and from the defender standpoint, making the rounds in the offensive end and intercepting pucks in the defensive end (when he pays attention, more on that later). His feet cannot be ignored, and they won't be by the VHLM and eventually the big boys of the VHL.

Puck Handling - The last component of a great scorer is possession. Unlike the playmaker, the scorer has to hold the puck to create at times, and Jakub plays more like a dangler than a true point and click sniper. This means that he holds the puck more than others, and this practice with the puck on his stick gives him a decided advantage in the shootout. Dangles, puck possession, and the ability to maneuver with control are all important aspects of the complete shootout god, and Jakub looks to place himself amongst the best in the league in that regard. His current training trajectory suggests he has the ability to make it happen.

 

It doesn't look like it, but Pastrnak takes a nasty hit on this assist

 

WEAKNESSES

Checking - Jakub is a lover, not a fighter, that's definitely a fact. In the 3 seasons Pastrnak has been in the Czech systems, he's registered a grand total 100 hits, and at 50 games per season, that's 2 hits every 3 games, a terrible stat line for anyone that wants to be a physical force. This isn't that bad for the dangler, but it's going to have some teams that need the power forward or grinder need filled turned off toward the young Czech.

Penalty Shot - This is one of the things that Pastrnak has decidedly forced into his repertoire, and he refuses to give up his mandated hourly shootout practices. The ability to dangle in the breakaway makes some in the minors ok with his focus on something so auxiliary, but others in the VHL will be wary of that one Czech that can't stop practicing complicated dekes and handles on the break. This is one of his strengths, but the strength itsels is a red flag for the maturity of this player and one hopes he can develop his past-time while being an effective player during even strength.

Strength - Again, Pastrnak is not the strongest player in the lineup, but that's nothing a professional weight room can't fix. Starting out, he'll be a bolt of lightning, but with veteran experience comes a certain job strength. Pastrnak will need to develop his strength to make shots actually go past goaltenders in the majors, but for now, his weakling arms can manage the goalie fodder in the minors. Expect this weakness to become a strength in the future, but it will be a developing process.

Edited November 19, 2016 by Guest

[Jericho 917]

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