C Jacob Perreault - Sarnia Sting, OHL (2020, 27th, ANA, traded to MTL)

[DrSense]

You often hear the term heavy skater used, and it’s usually just another word for slow. But I think it has a more focused meaning, and applies really well to Perreault. I think he skates with a lot of power and once he gets going, his speed is good. I think that’s why he did so well on those skating tests. The biggest problem I see with his skating is that he doesn’t have good quickness in his skating in small areas. He might test well and be good over longer distances, but sidestepping a player or pivoting in traffic are the types of areas he needs to work on. He needs to get quicker.

He also is pretty strong for a player his size, and I think having a father who played in the NHL helps that. He might only be 5’11, but he plays a little bigger, which is why I think he might be a better fit for center. If he can become a little more consistent in his work-ethic, I think it’s a possibility. He’s probably always going to be an offensively-minded forward, but his game fits center.

Perreault is the fastest skater in the CHL based on the testing, which includes his start time. Both with the puck and without. This includes "off the mark" as he was #1 in Reaction, and he was also #2 in the weave drill. He is not a heavy skater at all, and there is clearly no aspect of his skating that is slow when he is inclined to move. Acceleration and top gear are elite, no matter how you try and interpret the skills results.

To your point though, it surprised so many people to see him beat people like Foudy, Drsydale and Mercer, mostly because those who watch him don't see the speed enough. In game times, his skating doesn't stand out nearly enough to explain the results.

And that goes to the legit question on Perreault in terms of motor and effort, and perhaps how to use his speed. The guy can obviously fly anyway you cut it based on the testing. His shot might be the best in the draft. He has the upside to challenge top 10 players as an elite winger. And the thing is, his production is also elite with 40+ goal pace on a bad team.

The best comparison I've heard is Mike Hoffman. Great shot and skating, and scores a lot of goals, but so many other challenges with the guy that he'll end up moving around a lot in his career because he's never the sum of his parts. You always want more, but he still produces even when you are somewhat underwhelmed.

 

[emptyNedder]

I am glad there is a discussion about what skating/fast skating/quick skating means. This is the second year where one of the top skaters in terms of speed at the CHL showcase was widely considered an "average" skater.

Last year McMichael tested either third for speed and first for speed carrying the puck. Yet even this preseason Pronman described him as an average skater. Steve K in the draft profiles thread considers Perreault's "straight-line speed average."

There is obviously something that makes skating in games significantly different from skating as the only player on the ice. This is a perfect example (McMichael produce like an elite skating center this season) where the eye-test and analytics—not even that advanced—form a better picture than either alone.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Perreault is the fastest skater in the CHL based on the testing, which includes his start time. Both with the puck and without. This includes "off the mark" as he was #1 in Reaction, and he was also #2 in the weave drill. He is not a heavy skater at all, and there is clearly no aspect of his skating that is slow when he is inclined to move. Acceleration and top gear are elite, no matter how you try and interpret the skills results.

To your point though, it surprised so many people to see him beat people like Foudy, Drsydale and Mercer, mostly because those who watch him don't see the speed enough. In game times, his skating doesn't stand out nearly enough to explain the results.

And that goes to the legit question on Perreault in terms of motor and effort, and perhaps how to use his speed. The guy can obviously fly anyway you cut it based on the testing. His shot might be the best in the draft. He has the upside to challenge top 10 players as an elite winger. And the thing is, his production is also elite with 40+ goal pace on a bad team.

The best comparison I've heard is Mike Hoffman. Great shot and skating, and scores a lot of goals, but so many other challenges with the guy that he'll end up moving around a lot in his career because he's never the sum of his parts. You always want more, but he still produces even when you are somewhat underwhelmed.

If that’s what the skating test results said, then they are completely bogus, in my estimation because that’s what I’ve seen from his game. I was trying to incorporate the skating test results, but I don’t see a good East to West skater in his game.

 

[Brock]

Perreault is the fastest skater in the CHL based on the testing, which includes his start time. Both with the puck and without. This includes "off the mark" as he was #1 in Reaction, and he was also #2 in the weave drill. He is not a heavy skater at all, and there is clearly no aspect of his skating that is slow when he is inclined to move. Acceleration and top gear are elite, no matter how you try and interpret the skills results.

To your point though, it surprised so many people to see him beat people like Foudy, Drsydale and Mercer, mostly because those who watch him don't see the speed enough. In game times, his skating doesn't stand out nearly enough to explain the results.

And that goes to the legit question on Perreault in terms of motor and effort, and perhaps how to use his speed. The guy can obviously fly anyway you cut it based on the testing. His shot might be the best in the draft. He has the upside to challenge top 10 players as an elite winger. And the thing is, his production is also elite with 40+ goal pace on a bad team.

The best comparison I've heard is Mike Hoffman. Great shot and skating, and scores a lot of goals, but so many other challenges with the guy that he'll end up moving around a lot in his career because he's never the sum of his parts. You always want more, but he still produces even when you are somewhat underwhelmed.

I've spoken to a few scouts who feel that his conditioning is not great. This would certainly explain why his speed is not always on display in games. Obviously something that can be improved though.

 

[Goldenhands]

His father is one of the best faceoff men of all-time. Can't hurt.

Too bad he was a liability once the draws were done, espcially in his own zone...

 

[Goldenhands]

Apple didnt fall far from the tree, he basically is a copy paste of what his father used to be.. Jacob is a better skater but his compete is very low, defensive duites and game away from the puck, really bad... When I see this kid play, I see his father, awsome shooter, but so frustrating to watch as his game is overall pretty flawed...

 

[Dominance]

Apple didnt fall far from the tree, he basically is a copy paste of what his father used to be.. Jacob is a better skater but his compete is very low, defensive duites and game away from the puck, really bad... When I see this kid play, I see his father, awsome shooter, but so frustrating to watch as his game is overall pretty flawed...

I completely disagree.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Our look at Perreault

Jacob Perreault Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #25

 

[McGilliScout]

Apple didnt fall far from the tree, he basically is a copy paste of what his father used to be.. Jacob is a better skater but his compete is very low, defensive duites and game away from the puck, really bad... When I see this kid play, I see his father, awsome shooter, but so frustrating to watch as his game is overall pretty flawed...

I'm not sure if I can say that's an adequate description of how his father played.

 

[Goldenhands]

I'm not sure if I can say that's an adequate description of how his father played.

Yannick Perreault was a floater, his game away from the puck, positioning, forechecking work ethic ect were all deficient, he was so erased from the play that it was the way he was scoring most of his goals, being at the right spot all of sudden coming from nowhere, was constantly cheating on the wrong side of the puck... Guys like Perreault and Savage couldnt even play at the NHL level the way the game is played these days... Prior lock-0ut, the league was filled with very bad players...

 

[57special]

If his conditioning is sub par, that might explain his apparent lack of speed, or "compete". Hard to skate when you are sucking wind. That IS something that can be improved, whereas disinterest cannot.

 

[TheWhiskeyThief]

If his conditioning is sub par, that might explain his apparent lack of speed, or "compete". Hard to skate when you are sucking wind. That IS something that can be improved, whereas disinterest cannot.

When I saw him(pre-season) it wasn’t like he faded in shifts, he skated hard enough to get position. He’ll get a wake up call the 1st day of prospect camp. For his size, doesn’t have the outsized production to go with it. He’s already got meat on the frame, so there isn’t the upside in the aging curve you’ll normally expect.

 

[Draft Dynasty]

I've spoken to a few scouts who feel that his conditioning is not great. This would certainly explain why his speed is not always on display in games. Obviously something that can be improved though.

5'11" and 198lbs very good chance he's a little overweight/not in the best shape possible.

With proper training, he could lose easily 10lbs for next year and be even quicker. MacKinnon had his breakout year after losing 15-20lbs during one summer.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

5'11" and 198lbs very good chance he's a little overweight/not in the best shape possible.

With proper training, he could lose easily 10lbs for next year and be even quicker. MacKinnon had his breakout year after losing 15-20lbs during one summer.

198 on its face is not a bad playing weight for a 5'11 NHL'er. Is he in great shape or does that weight include a lot of fat? We don't know.

 

[Draft Dynasty]

Yes but it takes time to build quality muscle. I really doubt he's 198 and very lean.
Crosby is about the same height and weight and he's been training hard for the past 15 years.

Anyways we will never know, no combine this year

 

[IronMarshal]

Yes but it takes time to build quality muscle. I really doubt he's 198 and very lean.
Crosby is about the same height and weight and he's been training hard for the past 15 years.

Anyways we will never know, no combine this year

The combine would have been key for him.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Kids a great shooter and looks to be one of the better ones judging from YouTube highlights. I know he has things to work on but this player seems like a good pick in the late first round. Looks to.be a good trigger man on the power play too.

 

[57special]

would be a nice pick in the 20's

 

[HOPE]

Yes but it takes time to build quality muscle. I really doubt he's 198 and very lean.
Crosby is about the same height and weight and he's been training hard for the past 15 years.

Anyways we will never know, no combine this year

we might have different opinion of lean. but of course he's not very lean. 5'11 @ 198 is HUGE if you're bellow 15%bf

 

[PuckProspects]

Jacob Perreault is a great shooter that knows how to score. Easy first round talent level but is inconsistent in his compete level. I think a team takes him late in the 1st round.

 

[57special]

Does he love hockey, or does he do it because his father did?

He looks pretty sturdy out there. Hard to knock off the puck.

Wonder if he can play top 6C in the NHL? If so, he'll be a steal in the mid 20's, but there are a lot of guys like him in the late teens/20's. Talented, but questions about their ability to play the pivot. Mysak, Reichel, Lapierre, Bourque, Foerster, Mercer, Holloway....maybe even Zary and Jarvis.

My team is picking 23-25, and is desperate for C's, and to a lesser extent, RHS forwards. Would have to think about taking him there. I guess his downside would be as a less defensively responsible Kunin.

 

[HOPE]

this guy is being massively underrated, he's gonna be a steal.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

this guy is being massively underrated, he's gonna be a steal.

a couple of issues around working and conditioning .. Has everything you want in a top 6 forward. Love to get him at 20-25 with the Isles pick.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

He fixed a lot of the concerns towards the end of the year. I heard that lots of scouts checked him off in November and then came back in February and were forced to put him back on their radar. Has steal potential, but I think there’s still a lot of question marks. If you get him outside of the top 20, that’s great value

 

[majormajor]

He's one of those kids where you hope his pace issue was that he was just fat or some other fixable problem, anything other than "IDGAF". Imagine if a team has rare intel that Perreault was carrying around ten lbs of extra fat all season, that he has since fixed. They'd move Perreault much higher on their list, perhaps closer to #10.