What do you guys think of his hockey IQ? I think it's been a little hard to tell whether or not he's a purely physical specimen or if he has some cerebral play to him. It's especially hard to tell since he doesn't like to do much playmaking as everyone has mentioned.
As an analogy, he's a pure fastball pitcher that could use a change up to be more effective. I think long term success or shortcomings will hinge on how hard he works to develop more variety within his offensive arsenal. I like that he does seem to have right attitude/passion that should only help spur along his development. When/if that skill development melds into a more mature frame, we
should be collectively licking our chops.
I don't know that we ever see playmaking or a cerebral style out of him other than when he has increased time and space on the powerplay. Personally, I feel like we'd have to redefine playmaking or look at the word playmaking in a different context to consider Nuke a playmaker. Can he be the team's best playmaker eventually? Yes. Will he be Adam Oates? I have my doubts. If he hones his assets we might one day be the team's go to playmaker.
The 'Nuke juke' breakaway goal on Jake Allen this preseason tells me he's has legitimate hockey sense and a slick pair of mitts. Sincerely that was such a 'heady' play on a really quality young goalie where he just flat out beat him. That said, he has ALOT of learning to do... the language, systems, utilizing linemates/vision... plenty of areas we can all see need improvement. But wow, he's 18 and has his entire career in front of him to show us what he can do.
For now, I will stay excited about what he should bring to the table in 3 to 5 years of development, maturity and learning the North American game. If 3-5 turns to 1-2 years, well then great but realistically if he stays healthy and keep his spot in the top 9 this season, that's all I ask. He's big, skilled and hungry, the numbers will take care of themselves.