All the interviews I've read, coaches/scouts/teammates praise his work ethic and drive to get better. He was pretty disappointed not being a first round pick so that seemed to have lit a fire in his belly. His skating, +/- and offensive improvement, which you mentioned, are a clear indicator of this will to be a complete 200 ft player
His nose for the net is incredible, once he gets a step on you, it's hard to get the puck back off him, he protects the biscuit well.
I'd love if Ekblad and others would work more with figure skaters. The edgework, starts/stops and agility are clearly evident with Noel and others like Jeff Skinner and Dylan Larkin who are two of the quicker skaters in the NHL
Part of me still wishes he was a defenseman. He'd be a smooth skating RD with size, grit and two ability on offense and defense. A blend of Seth Jones and Dustin Byfuglien.
But I'll take a Blake Wheeler/Wayne Simmonds RW just as much too. Either way, he looks to be a top 9 RW at worst. I'm gonna say great 2nd liner if he keeps up the hard work, on and off the ice.
