C Noah Östlund - Djurgardens IF J20, J20 Nationell (2022, 16th, BUF)

[majormajor]

backlund

Östlund is a waay more skilled player than Backlund ever was. I see Jesper Bratt as a decent comparison.

A silkier version of Backlund would be like Alex Wennberg. I think Ostlund is smarter offensively but similar in that he isn't going to shoot much.

I'm not implying that Wennberg is as elite defensively as Backlund, but only a few centers are. Wennberg is excellent defensively, we shouldn't ever expect a prospect to be one of the most elite defensive centers, that's too unpredictable.

 

[theslatcher]

First SHL playoffs goal, goalie with a nice deflection.

 

[VictorLustig]

A silkier version of Backlund would be like Alex Wennberg. I think Ostlund is smarter offensively but similar in that he isn't going to shoot much.

I'm not implying that Wennberg is as elite defensively as Backlund, but only a few centers are. Wennberg is excellent defensively, we shouldn't ever expect a prospect to be one of the most elite defensive centers, that's too unpredictable.

I remenber when people compared Elias Pettersson to Alex Wennberg… Comparing Östlund to Wennberrg is just as bad. They have no similarities at all.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

I think Bratt is not a bad comparison actually. Although I would say Ostlund is a better playmaker potnentially…but may not be as fast.

 

[Chainshot]

First point in the AHL today -



That's him taking the hit to get the puck out of the zone to his breaking teammate Rosen who winds up finishing the play.

 

[TLEH]

Sabres have an embarrassment of riches.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He's gonna be a whale of a player. Crazy how good that 2022 draft was for Buffalo - all 3 guys project to be legit top 6+ scorers.

I see a lot of Barzal in Ostlund, especially in their neutral zone puck carrying tendencies (though he'll never be as powerful of a skater). In the offensive zone, he might be a bit more creative than Barzal - more like a Zegras. Maybe a Barzal / Zegras hybrid?

I think Bratt is not a bad comparison actually. Although I would say Ostlund is a better playmaker potnentially…but may not be as fast.

I'm a big fan of Ostlund, but I don't know if he has the potential to be a better playmaker than Bratt. Bratt led all LW's in 5v5 assists this year, and he trails only Gaudreau, M Tkachuk, and Panarin in 5v5 assists over the last 3 years.

I do agree with the sentiment that Ostlund relies more on cerebral ability than skating ability as compared to Bratt. Ostlund is going to be a very quick skater, but Bratt is maybe the quickest winger in the league.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Beerz]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840210955214430464

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839489327488795120

 

[Chainshot]

Some ink on his positive camp and preseason performance:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841267549193043988

 

[Gabrielor]

He's really exploded in NA in the last few months...excited to see him in Roch.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

12 GP, 1 PT. What is going on?

 

[SECRET SQUIRREL]

12 GP, 1 PT. What is going on?

Was hurt for 2 months

 

[SoundAndFury]

Albeit he was younger but didn't Isak Rosen have a very similar start in Rochester?

 

[Chainshot]

Albeit he was younger but didn't Isak Rosen have a very similar start in Rochester?

Rosen didn't have to deal with having surgery on his hand - probably going to take a while to get back to Ostlund's ability to handle, but in Rosen's first season prior to the U20's Isak had 3-12-15 in 25 AHL games. Ostlund looked okay before the injury but only had an assist. Since returning, the hands aren't there yet.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Rosen didn't have to deal with having surgery on his hand - probably going to take a while to get back to Ostlund's ability to handle, but in Rosen's first season prior to the U20's Isak had 3-12-15 in 25 AHL games.

Must be remembering his D+1 in the SHL where he finished the season with 4 points. Apples to oranges comparison.

 

[Chainshot]

Must be remembering his D+1 in the SHL where he finished the season with 4 points. Apples to oranges comparison.

Could be. Rosen's had a nice progression in the AHL, hoping Ostlund follows suit. But Ostlund is so slightly built, it's going to be a bit to get meat on him honestly.

 

[hockeyprospects9]

Östlund is the most talented Swedish 04, he’ll work it out