Quote:
Originally Posted by J epworth kendal
Problem with Jones is he doesn't play hard, because he always gets injured when he is playing a style that equals success for him. It's so frustrating watching him play timid after coming back from injury. I would rather him play 30 games playing his heart out than 70 games with him floating around.
|
This has been the book on him from his Colorado days according to their fans. I think we have definitely been seeing this as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan
I thought he's played pretty hard since coming back, he's one of the few forwards that will drive to the net with the puck. I don't think he's been timid at all, in fact, this is some of the more aggressive hockey he's played since coming to Calgary.
Plus, he might miss tonight because of the flu, not because he's injured.
|
100% right - Jones has been fairly effective this season (though I think he wasn't so in the first segment of games). He is driving the net hard, trying to get garbage goals, and he is providing the Flames with a lot of size/grit, speed and checking ability (back-checking pressure and he is great on the fore-check).
Though it does seem like he is battling the flu, he does have a history of getting injured playing this way, and then coming back a different player - just stops driving to the net as hard, and you see him become less effective offensively. I think this has been very noticeable with him since his time in Calgary (and apparently, was known for this in Colorado as well).
What I do like seeing from him even when he does become the player I just described above, is that he is always a good fore-checker and is always defensively responsible. He doesn't become a 'useless' player out there, just fades away offensively and doesn't make it difficult for opposing teams to contain him in their zone. I think he undeservedly becomes the whipping boy, but that salary does bring in a certain level of expectations and I can understand why fans will turn on him somewhat. His possession numbers last year were fantastic from what I remember, and I am guessing (didn't check) his possession numbers this season are decent at least.
I think Jones is a very similar player to Bourque in terms of PFD type that plays very well until an injury, and then stops being a PFD. However, he plays with a much higher IQ and a much better work ethic defensively in the 'down times'.