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Skating: |
Elite. Sale can fly through the neutral zone. He should be able to create plays purely through pushing the pace in transition, a valuable skill for a winger in today's NHL. |
Passing/Handling: |
He's a great cross-ice passer, able to thread the needle and make seemingly impossible passes. |
Shooting: |
I was surprised in a good way by his shot. I expected to see a passive pass-first guy, but he is a lethal finisher in close. He's not going to be the rush shooter or one timer guy, but from the slot down he can pick his spot. |
IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise): |
Another high-end skill, he's great at waiting until the last second to draw defenders to him and create openings. |
Forechecking: |
Sale is not an aggressive forechecker, and prefers to play the high third man. I don't expect he'll excel at creating turnovers. |
Defense: |
His transitional speed helps him on the backcheck, although I'd like to see him use his frame better defensively to control opponents. |
Best Asset: |
Passing/Vision |
Biggest Concern: |
I've heard consistency concerns about him. Although I didn't see him disappear in the few games I watched, I'll defer to industry scouts who've seen 10-20 games of him here. |
Top Tier/Role Potential: |
Top line assist-heavy winger |
Justification for Top Tier Assessment: |
He's got the speed, passing, and vision to be an elite playmaker in this league, just a matter if he's able to find consistency and not frustrate coaches. |
50th Percentile Tier/Role: |
Mostly invisible mid-six guy who bounces from team to team. |
Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment: |
If he can't find his consistency and effort, he won't be more than a 13-15 minute a night guy. |
Stylistic Comparable: |
Jeff Skinner |
Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info: |
The Kraken have reinforcements coming with Firkus, Rehkopf and Sale. If even 2/3 turn into everyday top-6 players next to Wright and Beniers they'll be in good shape for the next 5-7 years. |
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