Scout's notebook: The questions around Brad Lambert's development

Brad Lambert wasn't supposed to dominate offensively this season in Liiga, but we thought he would at least improve on his previous campaign in the league, his 15 points in 46 games with JYP. A point every other game seemed perfectly attainable for him. That rate would have placed his name next to many NHLers on Liiga's draft-year leaderboard.

But instead, Lambert ranks 54th overall in total points. Despite getting relatively consistent ice-time and a role on the powerplay, he only scored six points in 24 games with JYP to start the season and then four in 25 games after a mid-season switch to the Pelicans.

There are more important elements to evaluate than production when looking at a junior-aged prospect playing in a professional league, but the goal and assist columns still have a way of shaping the narrative around a season. The lack of improvement on the scoresheet inevitably raises questions about Lambert's overall development. 

Numbers on their own, however, aren't an explanation. They're just the results, and not even the full results, just a part of the whole appraisal of a season. 

It's important to identify why Lambert might not have scored up to his potential this season, to see if the problems might continue to limit him going forward or if they might be solved by development and a change of context.