Prospect Info: 17OA: Axel Sandin Pellikka

[RRhoads]

When most people say "elite" skating, they don't mean best skating. They mean like the top 5-10 percentile.

If we are talking top 3 skating, we have to do the same with players, and there would only be 3 elite players.

 

[Gniwder]

When most people say "elite" skating, they don't mean best skating. They mean like the top 5-10 percentile.

If we are talking top 3 skating, we have to do the same with players, and there would only be 3 elite players.

When you talk about wealth and the "elite", it's usually top 1%. The word is just overused here, it just means better than average, lol.

As for ASP, if he's got quick feet and can avoid checks, that's probably more important than straight speed. Makar is generational talent, it's unfair to compare anyone to him.

 

[Oddbob]

Is Larkin's skating elite?

In my opinion, yes! Slower than he was 3-4 years ago, but still tremendous skater.

 

[Astyanax]

When you talk about wealth and the "elite", it's usually top 1%. The word is just overused here, it just means better than average, lol.

As for ASP, if he's got quick feet and can avoid checks, that's probably more important than straight speed. Makar is generational talent, it's unfair to compare anyone to him.

While that is true, but when talking about the "1%" it's referencing the entire population so your are talking about millions of people. There is less then 1000 in the NHL, so I think we need to adjust your percentages appropriately.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Yup, they are elite

Well. It's like saying "Gretzky was an elite passer". Yeah.. he was. But if that's the bar, there are zero elite passers in the NHL right now (or ever since Gretzky retired). Elite in my eyes is a much lower bar, the term you're looking for is probably generational.

 

[HisNoodliness]

Another day, another HF argument about how to define "elite" vs "generational" etc.

Do you think, with reasonable development, that he'll be among the top 10-15% of skaters in the league? I do. Certainly for agility and maneuverability, maybe not for top speed.

Do you think he is likely to be one of the best skaters of all time? I don't.

Do you think ASP, with reasonable development, skates well enough to be an effective offensive or two-way defenseman in the NHL? More than well enough IMO.

Beyond answering these questions, I don't care what anyone thinks elite means.

 

[Hen Kolland]

Another day, another HF argument about how to define "elite" vs "generational" etc.

Do you think, with reasonable development, that he'll be among the top 10-15% of skaters in the league? I do. Certainly for agility and maneuverability, maybe not for top speed.

Do you think he is likely to be one of the best skaters of all time? I don't.

Do you think ASP, with reasonable development, skates well enough to be an effective offensive or two-way defenseman in the NHL? More than well enough IMO.

Beyond answering these questions, I don't care what anyone thinks elite means.

I think that he is a bad skater. And of course I won't inform you that I am using the slang version of "bad" which actually means good. And then I will chastise you for not knowing that the way I am using the word "bad" is different than the way other people use the word "bad" and we can argue over semantics instead of realizing we both agree that skating is an asset for him.

 

[Roomba With a Bauer]

Another day, another HF argument about how to define "elite" vs "generational" etc.

Do you think, with reasonable development, that he'll be among the top 10-15% of skaters in the league? I do. Certainly for agility and maneuverability, maybe not for top speed.

Do you think he is likely to be one of the best skaters of all time? I don't.

Do you think ASP, with reasonable development, skates well enough to be an effective offensive or two-way defenseman in the NHL? More than well enough IMO.

Beyond answering these questions, I don't care what anyone thinks elite means.

I think the issue is more that some people are butthurt that ASP is going to be better than Edvinsson and less on the nomenclature used.

 

[jkutswings]

I think the issue is more that some people are butthurt that ASP is going to be better than Edvinsson and less on the nomenclature used.

I think "better" is a very vague and subjective term.

Could ASP be a better NHL skater than Edvinsson? Sure. Better shot? Probably. But overall impact of each player is still very much up in the air.

The only thing I'm 100 percent confident in at the moment is that I'm very glad both prospects are in the system and playing well.

 

[newfy]

I think the issue is more that some people are butthurt that ASP is going to be better than Edvinsson and less on the nomenclature used.

You think wings fans would be butt hurt about this after seeing how good Edvinsson has been?

 

[Frk It]

I think the issue is more that some people are butthurt that ASP is going to be better than Edvinsson and less on the nomenclature used.

I think a few years from now when Edvinsson is on the team everyone will think it’s silly there was ever a time he wasn’t the clear cut #1 prospect in everyone’s eyes.

 

[Gniwder]

While that is true, but when talking about the "1%" it's referencing the entire population so your are talking about millions of people. There is less then 1000 in the NHL, so I think we need to adjust your percentages appropriately.

All NHLers are elite hockey players when compared to the general public, but when you limit the population to just NHLer's by saying elite NHLer, then the same criteria should still hold. Basically, I wouldn't use the word unless they're top 10 in that category.

But to each his own, at least you said top 5-10%, where most people here use that word for better than average. Worse yet is using it referring to second line forwards, lol.

 

[jaster]

Another day, another HF argument about how to define "elite" vs "generational" etc.

Do you think, with reasonable development, that he'll be among the top 10-15% of skaters in the league? I do. Certainly for agility and maneuverability, maybe not for top speed.

Do you think he is likely to be one of the best skaters of all time? I don't.

Do you think ASP, with reasonable development, skates well enough to be an effective offensive or two-way defenseman in the NHL? More than well enough IMO.

Beyond answering these questions, I don't care what anyone thinks elite means.

This. Arguing these pointless semantics is exhausting to read lol. I agree with your answers above.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

when i hear the word elite the first name that comes to mind is of course, brady cleveland. his talent and abilities set the bar for the term 'elite', and that should clarify where all other hockey players rank in my opinion.

 

[ricky0034]

when i hear the word elite the first name that comes to mind is of course, brady cleveland. his talent and abilities set the bar for the term 'elite', and that should clarify where all other hockey players rank in my opinion.

my brother's friend's wife's boyfriend is the janitor at Wisconsin's arena and he said that the NCAA is heavily pressuring them not to play him on the powerplay because the students at the other school's moms kept saying it isn't fair

 

[Realgud]

I think a few years from now when Edvinsson is on the team everyone will think it’s silly there was ever a time he wasn’t the clear cut #1 prospect in everyone’s eyes.

I think a few years from now when Cossa is on the team everyone will think it’s silly there was ever a time he wasn’t the clear cut #1 prospect in everyone’s eyes.

 

[jkutswings]

I think a few years from now when Cossa is on the team everyone will think it’s silly there was ever a time he wasn’t the clear cut #1 prospect in everyone’s eyes.

I think a few years from now Brady Cleveland will remind everybody that we need his permission to have any feelings whatsoever about any prospects.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

I think a few years from now Brady Cleveland will remind everybody that we need his permission to have any feelings whatsoever about any prospects.

i think in a few years when brady is the #1d and captain of the team and he finds out that i am the founder and ceo of the brady cleveland forever fan club, he and i are going to be kickin it on the daily playing fortnight and scoring babes by the boatload

 

[Detroit Knights]

my brother's friend's wife's boyfriend is the janitor at Wisconsin's arena and he said that the NCAA is heavily pressuring them not to play him on the powerplay because the students at the other school's moms kept saying it isn't fair

I have absolutely no reason to refute this testimony. Cleveland is a baaaaaaad man

 

[lilidk]

2017 draft was so many talks about who is the best Nico or Nolan . Now we know neither .

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

ASP has elite skating traits, particularly his 4 way mobility and edge work. His top speed is not quite yet elite but he picks up speed with little effort. With time in the gym and more development I believe he will get there.

This.

ASP’s skating isn’t a weakness but it’s not a major strength either. His speed is just ok to gud. His edgework is realgud, but not really realgud.

I don’t like Erik Karlsson as a comp for that reason. ASP controls the pace of play when he gets the puck on his stick on the power play by slowing things down or getting the puck to quiet spaces, not dynamic plays. Even strength there’s still a lot of work to do, especially on a smaller rink when his space is taken away.

I love the offense and hope his possession improves to make him another #1 guy but am expecting an offensive #3 at best. Hronek, Ghost, Barrie, D’Angelo as a type. Still a hell of a player. Not a hall of famer though.

 

[heyfolks]

Makar makes up for mistakes with his feet, he's always been solid defensively. Nobody is saying he's an elite defender in his own zone, but he's not a complete liability like Ghost. Makar has been better defensively than Mo has this season. When Mo gets caught up ice, he's been slow to get back into position. (Yeah, the other D on this team are even slower, but it doesn't excuse Mo.)

I doubt you find any majority, outside of Colorado, who would take Maker over Seider strictly for D zone only play. The opposite is also true for the O zone. In the other thread, the All Three Zone (skating uphill with Seider) shows a stat where he far exceeds all other D'man when it comes to the quality of the opponent. Over-all, sure you take Maker over Mo.

Not sure why this focus on ASP has devolved into other prospect comparisons. Comparing Edvinsson to ASP is like comparing Seider to Maker. Distinct styles but both are desirable.

Simon is on the same path as Mo. Two years in top pro leagues and then on to the NHL, which is where Simon will be next season. He will also be a Calder candidate. First, let him stay in GR and compete for the other Calder trophy. What he will NEVER do is skate or score like ASP.

ASP - I am with the it is too early to tell crowd. Breaking an U19 record in the SHL is nice, but not really a stake in the sand moment. Winning D'man of the year in the SHL is noteworthy (Seider did just that and still spent a full year in the AHL). Axel does not turn 19 until next month (The 22nd). He is likely playing one more year in the SHL and 2 in the AHL away form the show. Will he hit, body up and play as well in his own zone as Simon? Nope.

I do still see him breaking the U 19 goal record as a personal achievement of note, but seeing him lead Skelleftea on a deep run in the post season would be a better indication of his development for the Wings faithful.

 

[ricky0034]

I doubt you find any majority, outside of Colorado, who would take Maker over Seider strictly for D zone only play. The opposite is also true for the O zone. In the other thread, the All Three Zone (skating uphill with Seider) shows a stat where he far exceeds all other D'man when it comes to the quality of the opponent. Over-all, sure you take Maker over Mo.

Not sure why this focus on ASP has devolved into other prospect comparisons. Comparing Edvinsson to ASP is like comparing Seider to Maker. Distinct styles but both are desirable.

Simon is on the same path as Mo. Two years in top pro leagues and then on to the NHL, which is where Simon will be next season. He will also be a Calder candidate. First, let him stay in GR and compete for the other Calder trophy. What he will NEVER do is skate or score like ASP.

ASP - I am with the it is too early to tell crowd. Breaking an U19 record in the SHL is nice, but not really a stake in the sand moment. Winning D'man of the year in the SHL is noteworthy (Seider did just that and still spent a full year in the AHL). Axel does not turn 19 until next month (The 22nd). He is likely playing one more year in the SHL and 2 in the AHL away form the show. Will he hit, body up and play as well in his own zone as Simon? Nope.

I do still see him breaking the U 19 goal record as a personal achievement of note, but seeing him lead Skelleftea on a deep run in the post season would be a better indication of his development for the Wings faithful.

the....AHL Sophomore Calder trophy?

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

This.

ASP’s skating isn’t a weakness but it’s not a major strength either. His speed is just ok to gud. His edgework is realgud, but not really realgud.

I don’t like Erik Karlsson as a comp for that reason. ASP controls the pace of play when he gets the puck on his stick on the power play by slowing things down or getting the puck to quiet spaces, not dynamic plays. Even strength there’s still a lot of work to do, especially on a smaller rink when his space is taken away.

I love the offense and hope his possession improves to make him another #1 guy but am expecting an offensive #3 at best. Hronek, Ghost, Barrie, D’Angelo as a type. Still a hell of a player. Not a hall of famer though.

Does anyone besides roomba think he could be anymore than a second pairing guy for Detroit?

 

[norrisnick]

the....AHL Sophomore Calder trophy?

I think they meant the Calder Cup rather than trophy.