The best way to start off this article is by with this clip, and this clip, and then this one too. Winged Pride wants to establish his playmaking ability first and foremost. This guy is a wizard with the puck. He stands at 6'2" and weighs 212 pounds. For him to have that kind of size and also possess elite hands make him a unique player with a lot of upside. His hands are so advanced and developed that often times people overlook his other skills. Click the jump to find out what makes him unique in comparison to the others.
Jurco was the first player selected by the Wings (35th overall) in the 2011 draft. Scouts who watched Jurco saw the immense skill he possessed but were worried about his perimeter play and consistency. Scouts universally applauded his individual abilities and he was a consensus first round pick, but somehow he fell to the Red Wings in the second round.This is most likely due to him playing on a stacked junior team, playing in the Q with the St. John Sea Dogs, he wasn't a first liner and was often overlooked because of it.
We at Winged Pride would say Jurco is more of a power forward, despite his obvious finesse and grace. He is a big body at 6'2" and is physical. Jurco has deceptive consistent speed, similar. In simpler terms; a lot of players have one speed with the puck and another speed without the puck, this isn't the case with Jurco. His speed with the puck is consistent when compared to his free skate, which makes him very good on odd man rushes as well as breakouts since he keeps up with the play instead of out skating it or getting left behind.
Jurco is an extremely complete player these days. He is a guy that is definitely a product of the Wings system as he is always around the puck. He has a high compete level, relentlessly on the puck in both the defensive and neutral zone. He presses opposing defenseman effectively which creates opportunities and gives Jurco space, a spot in which he thrives. Flat out, Jurco causes goals. He can set up goals as well as he can finish. Jurco is a good finisher. He isn't a player who will waste chances, if he can see the back of the net he will put it there.
Jurco is a unique prospect because, unlike most players he doesn't really have any weaknesses. This isn't to be confused with us claiming he is a perfect prospect. He needs to improve just like every other player but with Jurco his skills are pretty much NHL ready as this is being written. When he came to the AHL last year he needed to be quicker, make quicker decisions, shoot quicker, he had to make every aspect of his game faster. He also needed to be get bigger and stronger as well as play more responsible defense. However in the last year Jurco has done all those things. Obviously you can always get bigger and stronger, but this is a guy who is ready for the NHL, let him polish the last parts of his game this year and see what he can give this team next year out of camp. But with the recent injury bug around the Red Wings he may see some more time with the Wings as the season ends and if he does well maybe even the playoffs. The Red Wings are in the unique position of having a lot of extremely capable players who can step in and make an impact at the NHL level (Sheahan, Tootoo, and Emmerton) he may not be the first player called up come the next round of player call ups, but he will be wearing a Wings jersey soon enough.
Jurco should be considered to develop into a top 6 forward for the Wings and will look to stay atop the Wings prospect list as his progression continues throughout the next year.
We at Winged Pride would say Jurco is more of a power forward, despite his obvious finesse and grace. He is a big body at 6'2" and is physical. Jurco has deceptive consistent speed, similar. In simpler terms; a lot of players have one speed with the puck and another speed without the puck, this isn't the case with Jurco. His speed with the puck is consistent when compared to his free skate, which makes him very good on odd man rushes as well as breakouts since he keeps up with the play instead of out skating it or getting left behind.
Jurco is an extremely complete player these days. He is a guy that is definitely a product of the Wings system as he is always around the puck. He has a high compete level, relentlessly on the puck in both the defensive and neutral zone. He presses opposing defenseman effectively which creates opportunities and gives Jurco space, a spot in which he thrives. Flat out, Jurco causes goals. He can set up goals as well as he can finish. Jurco is a good finisher. He isn't a player who will waste chances, if he can see the back of the net he will put it there.
Jurco is a unique prospect because, unlike most players he doesn't really have any weaknesses. This isn't to be confused with us claiming he is a perfect prospect. He needs to improve just like every other player but with Jurco his skills are pretty much NHL ready as this is being written. When he came to the AHL last year he needed to be quicker, make quicker decisions, shoot quicker, he had to make every aspect of his game faster. He also needed to be get bigger and stronger as well as play more responsible defense. However in the last year Jurco has done all those things. Obviously you can always get bigger and stronger, but this is a guy who is ready for the NHL, let him polish the last parts of his game this year and see what he can give this team next year out of camp. But with the recent injury bug around the Red Wings he may see some more time with the Wings as the season ends and if he does well maybe even the playoffs. The Red Wings are in the unique position of having a lot of extremely capable players who can step in and make an impact at the NHL level (Sheahan, Tootoo, and Emmerton) he may not be the first player called up come the next round of player call ups, but he will be wearing a Wings jersey soon enough.
Jurco should be considered to develop into a top 6 forward for the Wings and will look to stay atop the Wings prospect list as his progression continues throughout the next year.