Let the verbal attacks begin! Some might say it's too early to predict Jake Neighbours as a future NHL All-Star.
However, once you analyze his statistics and observe his play, which is centered on competitiveness, passion, and aggressiveness, you will realize his future is great.
Jake Neighbours shined in 2023-24
Shined with only 38 points? Yes, Jake Neighbours stole the show.
In stats alone, he ranked third on the team with 27 goals.
His time on the ice was limited at 15:42. Making 145 shot attempts, his shooting percentage was 18.6%. His 18.6% has him ranked No. 16 in the league. Note the stars above him, notably Sam Reinhart, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Auston Matthews.
Neighbours finished with 138 hits, highlighting his aggressive play, ranking No. 4 on the St. Louis Blues in total hits.
A quick observation shows that he's a talented scorer and plays an aggressive game of hockey. Even though he had great stats, he didn't spend much time on the ice.
The 2023-24 season was a breakout season for Neighbours, and we might not truly appreciate it until we learn such stats.
His presence was known on the ice, attacking the net. He ranked fourth on the team in power-play goals with 8. The three players above him also had 8. He ranked fifth on game-winning goals with 4, only behind Brandon Saad's 7 and Pavel Buchnevich's 5. Colton Parayko and Jordan Kyrou each had 4.
The future is bright for Jake Neighbours
Neighbours will see more ice time come 2024-25; there's simply no other way to put it. He not only proved himself capable of scoring but also emerged as a dependable scorer in crucial game moments.
Neighbours, although lagging behind his draft class of 2020 in terms of play opportunities, had a breakout season in 2023-24, playing the most games of his young career and demonstrating significant progress and development.
While he played in 43 games in 2022-23, he only played in 9 games in 2021-22 and never saw NHL action in the 2020-21 season.
Sure, some will say it's premature to declare him a future All-Star. I'd answer by saying, have you seen him play? His presence might have been the most obvious of any player on the ice.
Not only do his stats showcase his potential, but also his success. Expect Neighbours to become even better. His personality and drive to succeed will not allow anything short of excellence to occur.