Jake Neighbours is entering into what is possibly the most important season of his young career. Heading into the final season of his contract before becoming a restricted free agent (RFA), the 24-year-old winger finds himself in an interesting spot with the St. Louis Blues. He has already established himself as a reliable 40-to-50 point player while bringing a relentless, physical net-front game each and every single night.
However, as the season approaches, Neighbours is projected to be one of the middle-six forwards, likely anchoring a third-line role, instead of one locking down a top-six spot.
For a young forward who is aiming for the big, long-term contract extension, playing on a third line could be a bit of a setback. While his 5-on-5 deployment may be a third liner, his recent naming as an alternate captain shows the Blues coaching staff views both he and his role as a massive asset to the organization moving forward.
Balancing the financial stakes and middle-six deployment
Starting the season as the third line left wing adds an interesting layer to the coming contract negotiations. Playing fewer total minutes could naturally reduce a player's chances of scoring goals and overall point totals, giving him and his agent less leverage when negotiating his next contract. This is where a player like Neighbours separates himself from those who rely purely on ice time to make a difference.
Over his career, he has shot at a high 17.1% shooting rate and consistently dishes out more than two hits per game. He is a player who does his best work in the dirty areas in front of the net. If he keeps bringing secondary scoring while getting time on the power play, his overall on-ice efficiency will stay among the top on the team. This provides St. Louis with an interesting luxury of a third line heavy forechecker capable of playing and scoring like he's playing top-six minutes.
For Neighbours though, he will need to maximize his 5-on-5 production to show he deserves a sizeable pay raise regardless of the line assignments.
Setting a new culture
Putting an 'A' on Neighbours' sweater while playing on him on the third line speaks volumes about the status and character of the young forward in the locker room. Wearing a letter should reinforce his role as an identity player within the organization. One who can set a standard with a heavy forecheck, physical play, and give non-stop energy every shift.
While the lines have yet to be officially set, Neighbours has the potential to anchor a line alongside rising talent like Dalibor Dvorsky. His physical presence can open up ice for his linemates and make life difficult for opposing defensemen. Plus, his history with top playmakers like Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich makes him an invaluable plug-and-play option when his team needs a spark. Balancing his new leadership role and a huge contract year makes this one of the most exciting seasons for fans of Jake Neighbours.
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