Winnipeg Jets' 2016 Top 25 Under 25: #24, Scott Kosmachuk

Overview

Last year's Top 25 Under 25, Kossy came in at 19, but drops down to 24 on our rankings this year.  The addition of a few key prospects (Laine, Stanley & Dano to name a few) were brought in over the past season, and placed ahead of him in the rankings. However to be fair, Kosmachuk had a better season than his rookie campaign, and saw some time with the Jets, notching 3 assists in 8 contests (one of which was a nifty pass to Adam Lowry against the Colorado Avalanche, which I witnessed in person as I was seated just behind the TV camera along the boards. Here's my view...)

HNIC/Rogers Sportsnet/ Winnipeg Jets

The pass resulted in this great photo below. In all, Kosmachuk gained a bit, but given the competition for ice time, he slid back rather than moved forward.

John Woods/ The Canadian Press

Scoring Statistics

Kosmachuk seemed to pick up the pace a little, as his scoring rate in the AHL this past season was higher than the season before...5 more goals and 3 more assists in 3 less games.  Kosmachuk's penalty minutes were down too.

Advanced Statistics

hockey-reference.com

AIH Authors' Thoughts:

Truck:

Kosmachuk came out of junior with a ton of hype. He was a goal scorer with grit. Neither the scoring or the grit have appeared regularly at the pro level. This is Kossy's last season prior to waiver eligibility so this is likely a make or break year.

Andy:

Kosmachuk can be lumped in with the Lipons and Copps of the Winnipeg Jets. Kossy played a handful of games with the Jets last year, and assisted on a nifty goal scored by Lowry. Kossy has a scoring upside and will be in deep with other players for bottom 6 time.

Ian:

Kosmachuk found the net plenty of times in his sophomore season with the Moose. Come training camp, he will be one of many players battling for a spot on the Jets bottom six.

Arby:

Yet another winger in a system full of them, Kosmachuk at least had some scoring pedigree during his time in junior. Whether or not he can find a place to be a productive full-time NHLer here or elsewhere remains to be seen, but he'll be a pro hockey player for a long time thanks to his scoring touch. Too bad Shayne Gostisbehere was still on the board when he was picked...

Summary

Kosmachuk is slowly building his game, and will see alot of ice time with the Manitoba Moose this season, given the talent that will be competing for bottom 6 roles on the Winnipeg Jets this year.  That is not a bad thing, as Kosmachuk can build upon his past two seasons, as the experience in his game is evident. Kosmachuk is a more patient and defined player than his first season with the St. John's Icecaps, and his leadership will show thru as he takes on larger roles with the Moose entering his 3rd year of professional hockey.