Joe Hicketts

[burrythebiscuit*]

I've been to quite a few Griffins game as I get free tickets front row where the Griffins shoot twice. One player that sticks out every single game and almost every shift is Joe Hicketts. Laid a huge hit every game I've seen this year and plays twice the size he is. His compete level is off the charts and I think his skating is elite and has a heck of a shot too. Ive known about him since most hardcore wings fans have and never really caught my attention till this year

I have no idea if this was expected of him but I'm pleased.

Thoughts?

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[Frk It]

I definitely would not call his skating elite. It's pretty good, but not elite by any means. His positioning/gap is fantastic. For a guy his height that is not an elite skater, this allows him to not get beat like you think he might. Not sure if that will hold up at the next level. But he seems to have held up to the transition to the AHL well so far.

 

[newfy]

 

[Tatar]

He's got the heart of of a guy who's 6'6. There have been one or two instances where his height has held him back but I've been presently surprised with him so far.

That said the NHL is a different beast. Guys are muuuuuch stronger and the transition from the AHL to the NHL will be his biggest challenge yet. Luckily he's not disappointed yet, and he's hitting the gym, 175 right now. Krug is 185 so if he can put on 10-15 more pounds he should be ready

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

He's got the heart of of a guy who's 6'6. There have been one or two instances where his height has held him back but I've been presently surprised with him so far.

That said the NHL is a different beast. Guys are muuuuuch stronger and the transition from the AHL to the NHL will be his biggest challenge yet. Luckily he's not disappointed yet, and he's hitting the gym, 175 right now. Krug is 185 so if he can put on 10-15 more pounds he should be ready

He has actually cut weight over the last two seasons. I don't think strength will be the make or break characteristic for him. I worry about his reach given his skating more than anything. He has looked much better than I ever expected in GR.

 

[SirloinUB]

I definitely would not call his skating elite. It's pretty good, but not elite by any means. His positioning/gap is fantastic. For a guy his height that is not an elite skater, this allows him to not get beat like you think he might. Not sure if that will hold up at the next level. But he seems to have held up to the transition to the AHL well so far.

He doesn't have Larkin speed but I think he is a great skater. His edge work and lateral movement is very strong giving him a fantastic ability to walk the blue line in the offensive zone and (as you pointed out) control gaps. But he also has good speed and a powerful stride. Take a look at this video most of which shows of his footwork along the blue, but if you make note of the 1:25 mark, he enters the neutral zone in stride and takes 3 explosive strides, accelerating through the zone while caring the puck.





Like Rzombo, I am more concerned about reach than strength. He has always been stronger than his size would indicate and can hold his own in a higher a weight class. However, his skating combined with his intelligence gets him in positions to mitigate his shortcomings in reach.

 

[burrythebiscuit*]

Was at that game and you can see me and my buddy pounding the glass after the first goal lol

I definitely would not call his skating elite. It's pretty good, but not elite by any means. His positioning/gap is fantastic. For a guy his height that is not an elite skater, this allows him to not get beat like you think he might. Not sure if that will hold up at the next level. But he seems to have held up to the transition to the AHL well so far.

Something about his skating is elite. Whether it's the explosiveness or the top speed etc. I meant for more of his level right now I think his skating is fantastic. Love the kids game

He's got the heart of of a guy who's 6'6. There have been one or two instances where his height has held him back but I've been presently surprised with him so far.

That said the NHL is a different beast. Guys are muuuuuch stronger and the transition from the AHL to the NHL will be his biggest challenge yet. Luckily he's not disappointed yet, and he's hitting the gym, 175 right now. Krug is 185 so if he can put on 10-15 more pounds he should be ready

Imagine if the Detroit Red wings played with that intensity. He seems pretty damn strong for his size too

 

[Wood Stick]

He's got the heart of of a guy who's 6'6. There have been one or two instances where his height has held him back but I've been presently surprised with him so far.

That said the NHL is a different beast. Guys are muuuuuch stronger and the transition from the AHL to the NHL will be his biggest challenge yet. Luckily he's not disappointed yet, and he's hitting the gym, 175 right now. Krug is 185 so if he can put on 10-15 more pounds he should be ready

So sick of the whole add weight he'll be good thing. Joe Hicketts is a thick, thick kid who seems to be really strong. Adding weight isn't needed. He was listed at like 185 lbs I think in past years.

 

[Frk It]

So sick of the whole add weight he'll be good thing. Joe Hicketts is a thick, thick kid who seems to be really strong. Adding weight isn't needed. He was listed at like 185 lbs I think in past years.

Yeah, at his height he probably is playing at a good weight. I'd bet in actuality Krug has like 2 inches or so on Hicketts. 175-180 is probably a good weight for him at his height. Gerbe is 175 lbs and squats 500 lbs. You can be that weight and make it work.

I'm not concerned with his weight or strength holding him back.

 

[Wood Stick]

Yeah, at his height he probably is playing at a good weight. I'd bet in actuality Krug has like 2 inches or so on Hicketts. 175-180 is probably a good weight for him at his height. Gerbe is175 lbs and squats 500 lbs. You can be that weight and make it work.

I'm not concerned with his weight or strength holding him back.

Wait, what?

 

[Frk It]

Wait, what?

https://instagram.com/p/pyxac_mcyS/

 

[Ezekial]

Wait, what?

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1705025

Dude is a tank, a tiny tiny tank.

 

[Gyldenlove]

Look at Datsyuk, he was never huge but there are fewer players who were stronger on their skates because he understood leverage so well. Size is great, but it can be compensated for.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

It's really tough to be a defenseman that small without elite offensive talent (although he's no slouch). I've always seen Hicketts to make his money on the defensive end of the puck, and that's going to be tougher and tougher for him at every level. It's tough to essentially not have a pokecheck you can use. Here's hoping, though. I could see him as a more offensive version of Frankie Bouillon, which would be a useful player. Like 20-25 points and solid defensive play.

 

[Pavels Dog]

What I like about him is that he seems to be playing with a pretty long stick. So he doesn't look as small out there as he otherwise would. For example Nyquist seems to play with a short stick so he just doesn't have much reach at all. Stickwork and positioning can make up for a big size disadvantage. Rooting for the kid.

 

[Flowah]

Look at Datsyuk, he was never huge but there are fewer players who were stronger on their skates because he understood leverage so well. Size is great, but it can be compensated for.

Datsyuk was 5'11. He was "smaller" but not small.

Hicketts is actually small. It will be a different story for him. Maybe he can do it. But it's a bigger problem for him than Datsyuk. Plus Datsyuk was literally a superstar elite talent.

 

[TheMule93]

This guy is very good. Seems to follow the puck around, great stickwork defensively and has the well documented offensive talent. Just played what was probably the best game of his career.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

This guy is very good. Seems to follow the puck around, great stickwork defensively and has the well documented offensive talent. Just played what was probably the best game of his career.

Hicketts played a very flashy game, but he made a lot of mistakes and his inexperience showed (Which is to be expected). He won't make the team this year, but the future looks bright for him to be a top 4 defensmen. He will make an impact, and soon.

 

[Mijatovic]

Because we have so many solid options ahead of him? I laugh.

Let him makes mistakes at the NHL level. God knows I'd rather him learning than Ericcson/Oulette out there.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Loved Hicketts hits on Gardiner and Bozak he'd probably be our best hitter if he made the team.

 

[Hammettf2b]

Loved Hicketts hits on Gardiner and Bozak he'd probably be our best hitter if he made the team.

That's pretty sad tbh but in saying that, I would rather have him in the lineup over guys like Big E and XO.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

That's pretty sad tbh but in saying that, I would rather have him in the lineup over guys like Big E and XO.

Same here that little guys has tons of heart.

 

[Konnan511]

That's pretty sad tbh but in saying that, I would rather have him in the lineup over guys like Big E and XO.

Why would it be sad? He was regarded as the best hitter and most physical on the Griffins last season.

 

[Winger98]

Why would it be sad? He was regarded as the best hitter and most physical on the Griffins last season.

well, his height legally qualifies him for disability and one of those swanky handicap parking placards for one.

 

[Mijatovic]

Did not make opening night roster. Was sent down to GRG