Jon Gleed-Cornell

[HockeyfanDan]

Anyone seen this kid play, what are some opinions of him?

[Un_Poco_Lento]

Gleed's a solid defenseman. Not as good defensively as Brian McMeekin was when he graduated, but I think they're similar players. They've got decent shots from the point and are the kind of guys you only really notice 3-4 times a year unless you're looking for them - which is a good thing. Gleed does lots of little things right.

Gleed's steady defensively, doesn't make too many mistakes (an area where he's dramatically improved from his freshman season), and has the ability to jump into the play on offense. He's got good size and agility, and although he's not the fastest guy on the ice he positions himself well, and he's a pretty good open ice hitter.

I'd say his NHL potential is not that good at this point. If you're an NHL caliber defenseman, you should be scoring in college - even if you're just going to be a defensive D-man. OTOH, Gleed's just entering his junior year, and if he continues his dramatic improvement he could find his way to the NHL. Assuming there is an NHL. His draft position was surprising, but the Montreal scouts obviously saw something they liked, and took a flyer on a kid who needs some work in the later rounds.

Regardless of his NHL potential, if he continues to improve he'll be a heck of a college defenseman during his last two years. He's already good enough to be a solid first or second shift defenseman on most teams.

[jmh]

Gleed's offensive-end play, IMO, improved by leaps and bounds right around New Year's this past season... it was like something clicked in his mind and he gained a whole level of confidence with the puck that he never seemed to have before. If he continues improving like that, he'll definitely contribute to the offense in the next two seasons.

[HockeyfanDan]

Thanks.

[Un_Poco_Lento]

JMH is probably right about Gleed's offensive play post January - I didn't see many games in 2004, but there was a noticeable improvement in his offensive play after the Harvard game at Lynah (moderated somewhat by a broken jaw or something like that).