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Jagger Firkus Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #39

Jagger Firkus Scouting Report

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2022 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Jagger Firkus Scouting Report. 

The MVP of the CHL Top Prospects Game, Jagger Firkus had one goal and one assist in the 3-1 victory for Team White. Firkus also had a big season for the Moose Jaw Warriors. He put up 36 goals and 44 assists for 80 points in 66 regular-season games. Firkus also added six goals and six assists for 12 points in 10 playoff games. The Warriors defeated the Saskatoon Blades in five games in the first round of the WHL Playoffs. However, they would fall in the second round to the Winnipeg Ice, also in five games.

The 2020-21 WHL season was cut short due to the COVID Pandemic. Firkus was limited to just 23 games played. He put up six goals and eight assists for 14 points. The Moose Jaw Warriors fourth-round pick, 82nd overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Firkus made his WHL debut as a 15-year-old in 2019-20. He had limited ice time that season and put up one goal and one assist in 12 games played. Firkus, who was born and raised in Alberta, played his minor hockey for the Lloydminster Bobcats.

Jagger Firkus Scouting Report

Right Wing/Centre — shoots Right
Born April 29th, 2004 — Irma, Alberta
Height 5’10” — Weight 151 lbs [178 cm/69 kg]

Skating

As an undersized forward, one would like to see Firkus show dynamic skating ability in order to overcome the disadvantages associated with his lack of size. He is not a bad skater by any means, but he lacks the truly dynamic skating that helps a lot of undersized skaters succeed at the next level. Firkus stride is a bit choppy. As a result, his acceleration is decent, but his top-end speed is merely average. This can be a bit of a liability as Firkus has issues getting past a defender and creating separation on the rush. However, his edgework and agility are near elite. Firkus ability to change directions and make quick cuts allow him to open up passing and shooting lanes in the offensive zone.

While Firkus works hard, his lack of size and strength is an issue in working along the boards and fighting for loose pucks. He can also be pushed off the puck as well as have trouble establishing position in front of the net. At just 151 pounds, there is plenty of room to add muscle to his 5-foot-10 frame.

Offensive Game

Firkus is an absolute sniper. He has a tremendous array of shots. Firkus shows excellent power and accuracy with his wrist shot and snapshot. He also has very good hands. He can toe-drag and change the angle of his release just before letting the shot go. This creates issues for goalies as they have trouble picking up the shot off his stick and setting up to make the save. He also has a very good one-timer. Firkus has a knack for finding soft spots in the defence and positioning himself to take a pass from a teammate and fire it on the net. With his soft hands, he can also make a quick move to create a shooting lane and get off his own shot. He can even score with his backhand. Firkus also scores in tight to the net, with his soft hands and ability to beat goalies.

Firkus can also be a playmaker. His ability to move laterally and his soft hands can shake defenders and open up passing lanes. He is very good at setting up on the half boards on the power play. Firkus controls the puck and can set up his teammates when they get open. One issue though is his lack of size and strength. He can be pushed off the puck when defenders catch him. He also has issues in winning battles on the boards and in getting to the dirty areas of the ice. Firkus is competitive and is not afraid to play in these areas, but the lack of strength is a bit of a liability.

Defensive Game

Firkus struggles in the defensive zone. He doesn’t bring the same commitment to his work in his end of the ice as he does in the offensive end. Firkus can get caught looking to fly the zone and create offence before his team has control of a loose puck. He also tries so hard to create offensively that he can get caught deep in the offensive end. He is often the last man back defensively. Even when he does get back and supports the defence, his lack of size and strength is an issue. He will need to work on improving his defensive game as things he can get away with in junior won’t be accepted by professional coaches.

Projection and Comparison

Firkus is a real boom or bust prospect. He has high-end offensive skills and if those translate to the pro game, he can become a top-line winger at the next level. While he has played both right-wing and centre in the WHL, the lack of dynamic speed and the limits of his size mean that he projects as a winger at the pro level. Firkus will need to work on improving his skating and his strength over the next couple of years. Expect him to spend that time in the WHL, and perhaps to have some AHL time as well. One issue is that if his offence doesn’t translate to the pro game, Firkus won’t be able to play a bottom-line role. His game is reminiscent of Johnny Gaudreau. This is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Jagger Firkus that are available on youtube and Twitter.

 

Check back later for our next article on the 2022 NHL Draft.

 

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