The Boston Bruins Season Forecast - Jiri Jakes

Like Pierre-Luc Edmond, Jiri Jakes is another twenty-four year old center packing a U-Haul for the trip from Providence to Boston. Jakes had a slightly better performance with the junior club, though, (19-24-43 in eighty-two games, +2) and is perceived by many as a slightly superior prospect.

Jakes, too, faces a long shot at making the nightly line-up, for the same reasons - it is not a criticism against Jakes, but instead, the result of the muddling of talent available for the fourth line position. At this time, Jakes appears to be the fifth man based on talent, though his inexperience and lesser leadership skills also hurt him.

Jakes has the edge, though, over some of his competition due to his improved passing and puck control skills - he may be the best passer outside the Big Three - and is on par with the other contenders in scoring touch. A penchant for undisciplined play (127 pims in Providence last season), though, earns frowns in the eyes of GM Joshua Anderson.

Again, don't look for much this year. He may start for the junior varsity team, and may see a handful of games as an inury/weariness fill-in, but that is the best his mother should expect.

Prediction - 10 games played; 1-3-4