This time of the year is full of hope and big goals for hockey teams and their fans. A young, prospect always provides those two elements to an organization, especially during training camp when the player gets to show off their skill set to the coaching staff. The Carolina Hurricanes have a roster that could see a prospect or two make a case for themselves to join. Jackson Blake would be a great candidate to make the opening night roster.
Having already registered a point in the opening preseason match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Blake is off to a great start in training camp both on and off the ice. The reviews of the 21-year-old's growth in physique have been well documented after adding 10 pounds of muscle.
The consistent knock on Blake throughout his young career has been the lack of size to take the next step to the NHL. Blake, like his father, Jason, plays at a 5'10 stature. Jason overcame the height of concern to play in parts of 13 NHL seasons and finishing shy of 1,000 games played. His best year was on Long Island for the Islanders where he notched 40 goals in the 2006 season.
Jackson has a strong example of overcoming the size concern in his father, but unlike his father, Jackson was drafted and appeared to have a much higher ceiling. The University of North Dakota product has been around successful programs like the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Ironically, Blake would end up back in Chicago with the Wolves if he does not crack the Canes lineup.
The fourth-round draft choice in the 2021 NHL Draft by Carolina, Blake already possesses NHL-caliber skills that could pay dividends for the Canes immediately, especially on the man advantage.
Many NHL scouts have reveled in Blake's passing ability. However, other characteristics will transfer to the NHL and have provided Blake with better opportunities to succeed with his creativity in setting up his teammates. Having solid speed is a good trait for Blake, but he is incredible in tight spaces with exemplary deke and dangle ability. In college, this has allowed him far more open looks at the net and brought multiple defenders to him, leaving his linemates open for a pass. With great hockey sense and vision, Blake is extremely dangerous on the power play.
The two underrated parts of Blake's game are his compete level and shot. He has a strong shot that is very accurate on open looks from anywhere in the offensive zone. Like his father, Jackson hustles and never gives up on a play, which will allow him to play well in every zone. Rod Brind'Amour loves this attribute and will strengthen the trust in the youngster.
The summer loss of veterans to the free agent market combined with the quality at the forward depth gives any player like Blake a better shot at making the opening night roster with a strong training camp. The fact that Blake is 2 years older than fellow prospect, Bradly Nadeau, may give him a leg up in the race to winning a spot.
Even if Blake starts with Chicago, I believe he will tear up the AHL and catch the attention of Brind'Amour and Eric Tulsky quickly.