http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUyxPRa4Vt0[/youtube]Analysis
Knight isn't known for his size but he is bigger then most think. He stands 5'11 and he weighed about 185lbs when he was drafted but now weighs in at a respectable 202lbs. Knight is also not known for his body work but his "toughness" is another story. He will not back down from going into the corners, going right at bigger defensemen, playing in front of the net on the PP, or going to the "tough" spots on the ice. Although he only has 27 points in 26 games thus far (playing tonight) and just 11 goals in the season Jared Knight's effort level and compete is, and has always been one of the best in the OHL. He is considered the player that goes to the net harder then anyone else in junior hockey. Now, I'm not making a 100% comparison here but Knight, around the net, is a lot like Jon Tavares. Great hands in tight. He just has a nose for getting his stick on the puck and creating scoring chances out of scrambles and loose pucks. Knight will shoot the puck from anywhere, off either foot and 99% of the time get it through and on net. Knight has above average speed, a very heavy wrist shot and loves to get off that one-timer. On the power-play he loves to shift sides and really can be found anywhere on the ice, but I contribute that more to Dale Hunter's power-play style. If Knight had his way, he would play down low off the wall like Steven Stamkos or in front of the net like Ryan Smyth. The kid loves to shoot and it seems in loves punishment. Jared Knight loves to score goals and is known as a shoot first type of kid but his play-making this season has been a lot better than expected. He's buying in to the "team" game and using his line-mates. He's turning into a real leader. Also, Jared Knight is a gym rat and is always in great shape.
A few weaknesses I see in Knight's game is his knack for taking bad penalties but that could be because of his hockey fire and the way he plays. His defensive game, although improving isn't where Dale Hunter or the Boston Bruins would like it. He's given a lot of opportunities to improve, playing on the PK and it is coming along. Last season his effort was there defensively but was found out of position semi-regularly and it was well known that he needed to improve this part of his game.
NHL player comparison - Dustin Brown
The kid can score goals.. great hands.
I hope that helps Shiv..
