Hello guys first post here =) Couldn't watch the game (live in NY) and can't post on that topic, however I would like to weigh in and agree that Jurco could use some time back with the Griffs. In my opinion, that is not a bad thing at all. Should that happen I wish that those surrounding him, be it team mates or coaches, would explain that to him. Others before him have experienced this. This is his test.
In regard to his play, I will comment based on the very limited amount of times I have been able to watch the Wings due to the NHL center ice free preview. First thing I noticed is that it has been hard for him to handle the puck in a few manners such as accepting passes, handling the puck and carrying the puck through the zone. If sent to the AHL, assign him the task to try and improve on it. Secondly, as a branch from carrying the puck into the zone, comes the somewhat polar style of how he enters it. From what I have seen (again very limited and maybe even coincidental) he tries to stick handle his way (deke/dangle etc) his way past the D-men. In such a young season I don't mind this because I view this as Jurco thinking to himself, "what type of skills will give me and advantage". A very normal process of adaptation. However through this short sample size, it has not worked for him and obvious to say 90%+ of all other players in the NHL. Fancy stick work as a means to enter the zone often does not work and is limited to the sucess of very few players. Do I want Jurco to drop that aspect of his game completely? No, as I believe it would have a domino effect on other aspects of his game since it is something he personally takes pride in. However just like any other player, he needs to find a middle ground and know when to use it. Also I believe he needs to work on his balance with the puck a bit more because far too often has he been manhandled be it along the boards or entering the zone on the wing. He's simply quite easy to knock off the puck. There are a few players who are exceptionally well at being with the puck with very agressive pressure on them, Zetterberg/Datsyuk and Nyquist . Everyone has different skill sets, but if he can manage to work on this then it will be another dimension to his game that others must defend against. Lastly, try to be a bit more patient and allow himself to read the plays a bit better.
I do believe that Jurco does have skill, but just as many others have been saying, he's trying to find out how put it into a complete package to model his game.
I don't get to see the Wings all that much so my perception may be heavily uninformed, however this is what I think from what little I have been able to see. I am more than glad to hear the opinions of others as I'm always trying to learn more and get closer to my team as possible not only in fandom but in evaluation as well.
