SCOUTING REPORT JAKOB PELLETIER

THE LEFT WINGER HAD a solid season. The 26th overall pick by Calgary in 2019 was top 10 in QMJHL scoring with 82 points in 57 games for Moncton and ranked No. 74 in Future Watch. He’s only 5-foot-9, 167 pounds, but has an intriguing skill set. We talked to Flames assistant coach and director of player development Ray Edwards about Pelletier’s game.

HOCKEY IQ

“IT’S ELITE AND THAT goes back to his playmaking, he sees things way before they happen. He has the ability to slow the game down, he understands concepts and has the ability to be ahead of the play. He grasps adjustments quickly.”

SKATING

“HE’S BEEN WORKING WITH skating coach Dawn Braid all year, both in Moncton and when we had him in Calgary after the draft. There are some details and nuances, but it’s not about breaking him down and rebuilding him. A big part will be his strength. As he gets stronger in his core and his legs, some of those nuances will come very easily. Jakob has quickness and the ability to separate. What we’re looking for is power and the ability to hold off bigger players and small-area quickness.”

COMPETE LEVEL

“THAT’S ANOTHER ELITE PIECE of his repertoire. As his body matures and he gets stronger, he’ll be able to emphasize that more. At the junior level, he has to be a bit smarter and pick his situations. At the NHL level, it’s a way different ballgame, the players will be bigger, faster, stronger. The key for Jakob will be the off-season. Hopefully he can make real strides in terms of muscle mass, power and strength, so his willingness to compete can equate to results.”

DEFENSE

“OVERALL, IT’S ABOUT WORKING without the puck. That’s our focus with Jakob. If you don’t have the puck, what are you doing to get it back? A lot of it is moving your feet, getting to pucks first and understanding his body type is different than a 6-foot-4, 220-pound guy. How is he going to get a puck back from that guy? He’s committed to playing without the puck, it’s just a matter of understanding how important that aspect is.”

PLAYMAKING

“AT THE JUNIOR LEVEL, it’s elite. He has the confidence and patience to see the next play. He can see past the first defender and he knows the layers he needs to get the puck through. The other aspect that’s incredible with Jakob is that if he makes a mistake it doesn’t bother him. He has confidence in his abilities, and if he doesn’t make a play, he’s not afraid to try again, which is a tough thing to master.”

SHOT

“I’D LIKE TO SEE him shoot more, but in terms of the actual skill, he’s going to get stronger as he works on it. Like a lot of prospects, it’s about getting it away quicker, being able to go from a tough shooting position to getting it away, getting it from his skate to his stick and the accuracy aspect.”