Prospect Info: Anders Bjork -Update - signed ELC May 30th

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Which raises the question "Why is he only getting one shift per period ?"
I have not been watching these games, but it makes you wonder if he can step
right into a nhl lineup as top 6 or even 9. If he could, wouldn't he be very
noticeable, and coach would have to play him. Again I have not seen him play.

Would think the plan was never for a few of the NCAA players to play prominent roles or get much ice time in general.

The first game was a very tight one goal game that on paper should be a win. They rolled the more experienced/proven players pressing for the win, or minimally to tie to get in to OT.

Secong game was well in hand and his ice time increased.

Third game was with a fellow tournament favorite in Sweden. They trailed most of the games and again pressed with the more notable players on the roster to overcome the deficit and win.

Would anticipate that pattern continuing. The other unknown would be more NHL'ers eliminated from the play offs joining the team. That may force one or more of those players out of the line up.

All in all, have to think it is still a good environment for him to be for guaging what life as a pro would be.

 

[ashnathan]

I`m not so sure it is the "same deal" as Vesey. Once the news broke about Vesey not signing with the Preds, I began to read quite a bit about the situation and I wish I had of bookmarked some of the articles because my takeaway from more than a few of them was it appeared like the Preds (specifically Paul Fenton) were too aggressive with Vesey and his family.

I got the impression (again, "impression") that Vesey felt the Preds were putting too much pressure on him to make a decision. We know this, from what Poile said, there was a spot for Vesey in the top 9, on a competitive team, in an interesting and what looks like a fun hockey market and he still said no.

My belief, the Preds did NOT give Vesey and his family the space they wanted come decision time, I felt reading these articles like they just never let up the pressure to sign

I`m reading about how the Bjork situation is progressing and I don`t see that at all, I see DS and his crew respecting Bjork and his families space, I would imagine they have let them know they are very impressed with his game, believe he has a long future in Boston and he`ll have every opportunity to make the big club when he and his family feels he`s ready to go

Thing that pissed me off the most about the Vesey situation was his end comment "They wanted me more" which is absolute BS. Rangers came late to the party with a ****ing BS video montage with celebrities who didnt even know his name until it was written on a piece of paper for them to read off. Corniest **** I have ever seen.

 

[riverhawkey91]

Which raises the question "Why is he only getting one shift per period ?"
I have not been watching these games, but it makes you wonder if he can step
right into a nhl lineup as top 6 or even 9. If he could, wouldn't he be very
noticeable, and coach would have to play him. Again I have not seen him play.

Lack of experience really. He's looked better/more comfortable over the past two games now that he's gotten a bit more time, but having no experience at a comparable level is definitely working against him. McAvoy and Keller (who looks like a legit stud) at least grabbed a handful of games in the NHL and it looks like it's helped prepare them for this...the guys without pro experience (Bjork, Greenway and Brickley) have all played sparingly. Which was kind of my point...with just college experience, are any of them really going to prepared for the Olympics if that's their goal?

Bjork right now reminds me of Heinen to start the year this past season. You can see what he brings to the table, but it's a big adjustment all at once for guys that aren't supremely skilled like Eichel/Matthews/Keller. I think it'll take some time for his game to step up to the NHL level...he might be able to work into that 3rd line LW spot through camp, but I suspect he'd benefit from a half season in the AHL like Pastrnak before coming up. And I really think if his goal is the Olympics, another year in college isn't going to get him there.

 

[riverhawkey91]

I agree with a lot of what you say, but generally I would hesitate to put too much stock into how Bjork is playing when he's getting such limited minutes. It's extremely difficult to play with any sort of consistency when you are getting roughly one shift per period.

That's fair. They've used him a bit more lately and he looks much better than his first game (not surprising), but I think it's still pretty clear he's got some work to do before he'll succeed at this level. A lot of his issues (positioning, neutral zone play) can definitely be attributed to lack of experience and limited play/rust, but there are few areas like one-on-one battles and pace of play where he'll need to step it up. I saw a ton of him in the NCAA and I know his game fairly well, and at least right now I haven't seen him be able to do any of what made him so good there at this level. I'm plenty convinced that'll all come in time though.

I don't ever read too much into that in tournaments like the WC's. A lot has to do with coaches and their preferences. From what I have seen, McAvoy has been better than a guy like DeKeyser, but was getting less TOI. Hellebucyk looked much better IMO than Howard, but has played less.

Bjork was one of the best players in Div 1 college hockey this year. His stats were on par with Clayton Keller's (who is obviously 2 years younger), who doesn't seem to be having issues scoring in the WC's while playing more minutes with better linemates. Won't happen, but would love to see Bjork and Keller switch places in the US lineup and see what happens.

Honestly I like Bjork but Keller is on a whole different level from him. I'm not surprised his game has transferred over as well as it has...I think the kid is going to be seriously good. But as I mentioned to whatsbruin, I definitely think that handful of games in the NHL to work out some of the immediate kinks did wonders for guys like McAvoy and Keller.

It is funny you mention those two though. While I don't think either has been particularly bad, I'm fairly convinced there are more than a few guys on Team USA solely because Blashill is coaching. For as good as USA Hockey is with their junior-level teams, they make some seriously weird choices with their pro level teams.

 

[reffree]

That's fair. They've used him a bit more lately and he looks much better than his first game (not surprising), but I think it's still pretty clear he's got some work to do before he'll succeed at this level. A lot of his issues (positioning, neutral zone play) can definitely be attributed to lack of experience and limited play/rust, but there are few areas like one-on-one battles and pace of play where he'll need to step it up. I saw a ton of him in the NCAA and I know his game fairly well, and at least right now I haven't seen him be able to do any of what made him so good there at this level. I'm plenty convinced that'll all come in time though.



Honestly I like Bjork but Keller is on a whole different level from him. I'm not surprised his game has transferred over as well as it has...I think the kid is going to be seriously good. But as I mentioned to whatsbruin, I definitely think that handful of games in the NHL to work out some of the immediate kinks did wonders for guys like McAvoy and Keller.

It is funny you mention those two though. While I don't think either has been particularly bad, I'm fairly convinced there are more than a few guys on Team USA solely because Blashill is coaching. For as good as USA Hockey is with their junior-level teams, they make some seriously weird choices with their pro level teams.

Guys like McAvoy and Keller have that upper level poise with the puck, even when going at a higher level, everything look smooth. That's not the case for Bjork right now, thing seems bo be a little fast for him. He his blazing fast, but I'm talking about time to make his decision, he struggle with the pace right now. He totally gave the puck away in the Ozone a couple time when he still had time, throwing a back past to nobody, when he could have just continue with the possession. There was absolutely nobody even semi-close to the area he throw the puck, so he just clearly throw it there without looking when he still had time. So he's defenetly not at ease right now, be it with his own confidence or the pace, but I'm sure he wasn't doing those kind of thing in the Ncaa.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

It's all fine and dandy for us to play amateur scout on Bjork, but the only thing that really matters is what the Bruins think. And apparently, based on their comments, they think that he can contribute in the NHL as soon as next year, possibly in a Top 6 role.

Part of it could be that they are willing to live with the growing pains for a year in order to get him in the fold and keep him away to free agency?

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

yes

 

[JRull86]

yes

Was just coming here to post this.

Great news.

 

[TMac21]

Excellent!

 

[PB37]

Finally, the hand wringers can go back to worrying about other things that aren't really problems.

 

[wintersej]

Did not see that coming. Great job Sweeney. So many young wingers to break in next season now.

 

[PB37]

Another left shot/RW. I'd love to see him get time with Bergeron/Marchand

 

[smack66]

Another left shot/RW. I'd love to see him get time with Bergeron/Marchand

agreed. really intrigued to see our prospects development over the next few years.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Well, things just got more interesting for next year. Lots of young talent breaking in on wing, training camp can't get here fast enough!

 

[northeastern]

Good stuff glad he's signed on hopefully he's excited for the chances.

 

[Gee Wally]

niiiiiccccceee !

 

[kdog82]

I am very surprised and ultra impressed with Sweeney!

I thought Bjork was going the Vesey route for sure. Great job by Sweeney!!

Welcome to Boston Anders Bjork!

 

[Midship]

Awesome!

Good on Donny and the organization. Things are definitely pointing up.

 

[Baddkarma]

Front office win. I am so glad this will not linger and does it validate the Bruins taking NCAA talent and getting them into the organization.

Lets hope he pans out!

 

[Ratty]

Must say I'm shocked! Thought for sure, with all his family, Irish connection, he'd return to South Bend.

This will change a lot of prognostications. Not a sure bet to make the roster, but it could alter Sweeney's off season strategy.

 

[Gee Wally]

BOSTON - Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, May 30, that the team has signed forward Anders ‪Bjork to a three-year entry-level contract, beginning with the 2017-18 season.

‪Bjork served as an alternate captain for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2016-17, finishing the year with 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points - all career highs - with 16 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound forward helped lead Notre Dame to a Frozen Four appearance for the first time since 2011. At the conclusion of the season, ‪Bjork was selected to the Hockey East First All-Star Team and was named a Hobey Baker Award (NCAA Top Collegiate Player) finalist. As a sophomore in 2015-16, the forward was selected to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team after posting 12 goals and 23 assists for a team-high 35 points with eight penalty minutes and a career-high plus-28 rating in 35 games. ‪Bjork appeared in 41 games with Notre Dame as a freshman in 2014-15, tallying seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points with 14 penalty minutes.

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bru...rk-to-3-year-entry-level-contract/c-289669254


Fluto:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/b...-level-deal/WMCPhpbTtPBCux5nE47amI/story.html

 

[World of Wardlow]

Can he play RW?

 

[Ratty]

Can he play RW?

See post #812 above.

 

[PB37]

Can he play RW?

Yes. He was primarily a RW last year.

 

[Bad Puck Bounce]

Welcome to Boston officially Anders.