I feel like it's more that he hasn't earned either, He's 6'2 and 200 pounds, mature sure, but grow his body?
To me he's a 3C, maybe 2C eventually that the Habs bet high on and shouldn't have. If that isn't underwhelming for a 3rd OA pick I don't know what is.
He was almost young enough to have been a 2019 eligible player, and he'd have likely gone high in 2019. He's been more than sheltered. He's been buried. In virtually every chance he's been given with the teams best forwards, he's produced. When given pp time, he produced. There's only a small list of guys with more playoff goals by the same age. He and Suzuki haven't been treated near the same. Nick had his down stretches in each of the last two regular seasons. When he did, he was allowed to work out of it on his existing line. He wasn't moved down. He wasn't moved to the wing. He wasn't scratched.
I'm not saying Jesperi can't be better. Between 19-20 and 20-21 he worked on a big weakness and improved his skating. It might not be a graceful stride, but he's a lot faster than he was in either of his first two years. He needs to get stronger on his feet and in his balance to improve his play along the boards. This isn't unique to kids his height who came into the league under 200lbs. He's getting better, and stronger, but there's a ways to go.
Fact is, he hasn't been given a full year - or even a MONTH - with bona fide offensive talent. He's consistently been sent out with Leks and Armia - two offensive black holes. It's tiresome to see a guy thrown into virtually every trade proposal before he's been given a legit chance with legit talent. He's barely 21. How's about we give him the year with Hoffman and Toffoli and see what he can do before with throw him out with the bath water?
