C Anton Wahlberg - Malmö Redhawks J20, J20 Nationell (2023, 39th, BUF)

[95snipes]

Think Wahlberg's been solid so far. Great against Canada and Slovakia, but had some bozo moments against Czech. Turnovers and two offensive zone penalties. I think he's a winger in the NHL and like his upside as a goal scoring power forward.

Some Wahlberg moments - I love this play here. Strength to win the board battle, immediately takes it to the net, hands to create space, and then vision to feed Dower Nilsson.

Maybe not the greatest play, but showing good speed here -

This is somewhat of a signature play of his. Cuts between the gap of the defenseman and the winger off the halfwall. He's done this multiple times a game.

Game winner against Slovakia -

 

[WeThreeKings]

He's been good - I agree, I think he's a winger as he goes up levels.

Probably a 2nd round pick with his size, inside game and some offensive skill.

 

[Petes2424]

Wahlberg should go early today sometime. He’s a little bit of a project but has size and a crazy compete level. 6’3” Cs don’t grow on trees.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Buffalo

 

[Frk It]

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

 

[Chainshot]

Set to make his AHL debut this weekend, will not play tonight against Syracuse but it sounds like he'll draw into the lineup against the Monsters on Saturday.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

3pts in 4 games in the AHL.

 

[theslatcher]

Malmö's not expecting him back next year.

 

[Chainshot]

His AHL coaching has regularly praised his play since arriving. The highest praise though is getting use late in tight games and in important 5-on-5 situations. He's fit right in and plays up to his size which is refreshing for a team that is mostly on the smaller side.

 

[Chainshot]

10th AHL game, first in the playoffs, first shift...

 

[Beerz]

Beast.

 

[BKarchitect]

If the Sabres don’t turn this group of high end prospects and young players into a true championship core it will be one of the biggest fail jobs of franchise management this century, and I say that with no hyperbole and with full knowledge that this has been the Sabres MO for a better part of two decades.

Absolute embarrassment of riches and yet somehow I am still not convinced it will translate into some super team down the road.

Honestly, I can see a guy like Wahlberg becoming a more important piece down the road than some of the Sabres prospects who currently have a lot more name recognition and hype because of the physical package and play style he offers.

 

[CowbellConray]

If the Sabres don’t turn this group of high end prospects and young players into a true championship core it will be one of the biggest fail jobs of franchise management this century, and I say that with no hyperbole and with full knowledge that this has been the Sabres MO for a better part of two decades.

Absolute embarrassment of riches and yet somehow I am still not convinced it will translate into some super team down the road.

Honestly, I can see a guy like Wahlberg becoming a more important piece down the road than some of the Sabres prospects who currently have a lot more name recognition and hype because of the physical package and play style he offers.

Wahlberg has top 6 two way center written all over him. That is incredibly valuable in this new league. Speed, size, tenacity? Yes please

 

[FriarChill]

He was really good in the U18 finals vs the US last year. I really liked him. Great pick in the 2nd round imo. I wanted to keep an eye on him and seems like he is doing just fine in the AHL. Great combo of size, speed and skill imo

 

[ZYXWVUT]

If the Sabres don’t turn this group of high end prospects and young players into a true championship core it will be one of the biggest fail jobs of franchise management this century, and I say that with no hyperbole and with full knowledge that this has been the Sabres MO for a better part of two decades.

Absolute embarrassment of riches and yet somehow I am still not convinced it will translate into some super team down the road.

Honestly, I can see a guy like Wahlberg becoming a more important piece down the road than some of the Sabres prospects who currently have a lot more name recognition and hype because of the physical package and play style he offers.

When you miss the playoffs so many consecutive years and are downright terrible for most, I’m not about to call it an accomplishment to have a good pipeline.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

He's playing well, getting a regular shift. Racked up some points, goes hard to the net, very much an atypical Sabres prospect.

As for next year, he's most likely headed back to Sweden, get more seasoning and play a big role on the WJC

 

[theslatcher]

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

Any updates on him in the AHL playoffs? Is the plan for him to play with Rochester next.year, return to Sweden, or is there a possibility of him making the Sabres out of camp?

Malmö's not expecting him back.

 

[BKarchitect]

It seems Buffalo has a trend of keeping their younger Euro prospects close by in Rochester…it feels like much more so than most other NHL teams. Rosen and Kulich were definitely still teenagers in their first full AHL seasons, which Wahlberg would be as well. And then lots of Euro 20-year olds. Kisakov last year. Neuchev, Novikov this year. Ostlund I’m assuming for next season?

I have no idea if this is actually true and a systematic approach that organization has or just me making up something in my head…but it feels that way to me. Somebody feel free to correct me lol.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

It seems Buffalo has a trend of keeping their younger Euro prospects close by in Rochester…it feels like much more so than most other NHL teams. Rosen and Kulich were definitely still teenagers in their first full AHL seasons, which Wahlberg would be as well. And then lots of Euro 20-year olds. Kisakov last year. Neuchev, Novikov this year. Ostlund I’m assuming for next season?

I have no idea if this is actually true and a systematic approach that organization has or just me making up something in my head…but it feels that way to me. Somebody feel free to correct me lol.

You have to look at it situationally. Kulich came over at 18 as the AHL is better than Czech league. Rosen at 19 as he was bouncing in SEL. They let Ostlund stay in SEL to develop but he's coming over as a 20yo. The Russians weren't under contract so it was better to get them then have them sign KHL extensions.