Jacob Lagace
Image: QMJHL

Jacob Lagace

Hometown:

Beloeil Quebec

Team:

Buffalo Sabres

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1990-01-09
Position:

LW
Eligible for draft:

2008
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2008
Height:

5-11
Acquired:

5th round (134th overall), 2008
Weight:

195 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
6.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2007-08: In his first season with Chicoutimi (QMJHL), Jacob Lagace netted 23 goals and 62 points in 67 appearances as a rookie. He was nominated to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team for his efforts. He also appeared in seven games with the Canadian National U18 squad, scoring a goal and three points while taking home the Gold Medal.

2008-09: Lagace appeared in 64 games in his second QMJHL season with Chicoutimi. He led the Sagueneens in goals (32) and points (69) and was +2 on a team that finished with a losing record. In the four-game playoff series with Rimouski he scored 1 goal with two assists and was -1 with 4 PMs.

2009-10: Lagace went on an absolute tear to open the season; scoring 30 goals including 8 power play goals in 35 games with Chicoutimi. He also had 23 assists and a +2 plus/minus  before being traded to Cape Breton for defensemen Eric Gelinas (NJ) and two draft picks. Lagace's offensive numbers tailed off a bit with the Screaming Eagles; he scored 5 goals with 15 assists and was +9 in  25 games and had just 3 assists and was -4 in the five-game playoff series with Moncton. Lagace made his AHL debut with Portland, appearing in one playoff game, and was signed to an entry-level contract by Buffalo in June 2010.

2010-11: Lagace opened his first pro season with Portland, spent a month with ECHL Greenville  in mid-season, then re-joined the AHL Pirates in February and finishing the season in Portland. In 58 games with the Pirates, he scored 10 goals with 13 assists and was +4 with 34 PMs. He skated in 3 of the Pirates' 12 playoff games and was scoreless and -1 in a limited role. In 13 ECHL games with the Road Warriors he had 6 assists and was +3.

2011-12: Lagace skated for Sabres' AHL affiliate Rochester in his second pro season — showing some scoring ability mid-season and solid two-way play before being slowed by a wrist injury late in the year. He scored 10 goals with 10 assists and was plus-two with 25 penalty minutes in 58 games. Lagace had just one point, an assist, after January 25th for the Amerks and did not play in the three-game playoff series against the Toronto Marlies.

 

Talent Analysis
Lagace was a scorer in the QMJHL, but his role has changed at the pro level. He does not have enough offensive talent to be a scoring threat in the NHL, but plays with enough passion and tenacity to become a very good checking-line player. Lagace suffers from bouts of inconsistent play, but some scouts think that will change once Lagace becomes more comfortable with his new role.
 
Future

Lagace will stick with Rochester for most of the season, and if he plays well, he might earn a call-up or two. Lagace can be a useful, energy player down the road.

 

2008 Draft produced two key players for Buffalo Sabres

by Jason Chen
on

Tyler Ennis and Tyler Myers - Buffalo Sabres

Photo: Forward Tyler Ennis (left) and defenseman Tyler Myers (right) were both selected in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft. Both are considered key components of Buffalo's young core. (courtesy of Jerome Davis/Icon SMI)

It was clear by the end of the 2007-08 season that the Buffalo Sabres needed to reload. The team missed the playoffs after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals the year before and finished fourth in the Northeast Division, their lowest finish since the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

Read more»

Buffalo Sabres have talented, experienced group at minor-league level

by Jason Chen
on

Mark Pysyk - Buffalo Sabres

Photo: Mark Pysyk is one of several talented defensive prospects the Buffalo Sabres have at the AHL level. (Abelimages/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the NHL lockout. Though Cody Hodgson, Marcus Foligno, Brayden McNabb, and T.J. Brennan have, for the most part, been pillars for head coach Ron Rolston, the Amerks are currently sitting just out of playoff position. Hurting the Amerks is overall consistency and a lack of quality depth up front.

Read more»

Patient approach at player development paying off for Buffalo Sabres

by Jason Chen
on

Brayden McNabb - Buffalo Sabres

Photo: Defenseman Brayden McNabb (81) is one of several Buffalo Sabres prospects who would be competing for a spot in the NHL right now if not for the ongoing lockout. (Bill Streicher/Icon SMI)

The Buffalo Sabres have traditionally taken the long and steady approach to developing their projects, giving their prospects as much time as needed to develop into an NHL player. That patience has paid off, with many players drafted in the past five years making contributions at the NHL level last year, and are ready to this year, if or when the NHL lockout ends. Corey Tropp, Luke Adam, Brayden McNabb, Marcus Foligno, and a few others are among those who have proven that they can play in the NHL.

Read more»

Grigorenko, McCabe among Buffalo Sabres prospects expected to have big 2012-13 seasons

by Jason Chen
on

Jake McCabe - Buffalo Sabres

Photo: Headed into his sophomore season with the University of Wisconsin, Jake McCabe will be relied on heavily to provide offense from the blue line. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres addressed their biggest organizational need by selecting two marquee centers, Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons, at the 2012 Draft. Both have signed entry-level contracts and it is now a waiting game for the Sabres, as they continue to reap the benefits from the continuing development of their young players.

Read more»
More News & Features
HF Boards