NHL Prospect Profile: Blade Jenkins

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Jenkins plays a power forward style of game. He is quick to get in on the forecheck and can hammer a defenceman into the boards. He pressures defenders into mistakes, and can pounce when they do. He is willing to aggressively drive to the front of the net both with and without the puck. Jenkins uses his body to protect the puck down low on the cycle game and make plays. He is willing to try a number of creative passes, through tight areas. However, Jenkins has a tendency to try and do too much, and can often give the puck away on a play that is not there.

Jenkins started the season at centre but was later moved to the wing. This resulted in an increase in production. It allowed him to simplify his game and focus on the things that he does well. While there is some versatility, Jenkins projects as a winger at the pro level. The skating and defensive concerns are likely to push him to that spot. He could be a bit of a project, but Jenkins could be a middle six contributor with good size and skill. – Last Word on Hockey

AJ’s Thoughts

There’s a lot you want to like about Jenkins’ game but the more I saw of him the less impressed I ended up. He’s a big body who should be playing more of a traditional power forward game but he’s not quite that guy. He has some serious skill and if you just watch the YouTube clips below you’ll think this is a kid knocking down the door of the first two rounds of the draft. Unfortunately, that’s not actually the case as he’s a far more passive player than the sizzle reel would suggest.

He has good hands and some creativity but his meat and potatoes approach helped with his switch from the wing to center halfway during the year. He can get frustrated during games and it causes him to become far too mistake prone, especially offensively when he’s trying to do it all by himself. He has the skill to impress but he doesn’t seem to fit well into a team concept and he’s a guy that just left me wanting more. His skating needs plenty of work and while it’s decent there’s still a long way to go in that area for it to be a true weapon. I think he has the ability but will he ever reach his potential?

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

This is entirely dependent on where teams rank him. For Colorado, their needs are significant at the forward position and there’s far more talent available early on that won’t leave you frustrated and wondering what’s wrong with the kid. He’s exactly the kind of guy I wouldn’t personally take before about the fourth round. That’s the area when his risk-reward starts to line up nicely because you’re not talking about using a top-1oo selection on a kid that you honestly may not even sign after two years. As a power forward archetype, he’s a natural in a Colorado system sorely lacking in those kinds of players but this one is all about the value of when he’s selected.

Rankings

#71 Future Considerations
#69 McKeen’s Hockey