Seems he likes CHL play. GW in the SO, goal in the second period. Hunting around on my phone for some highlights.
Were they playing hockey on those ads?
You must be new to seeing Liiga rinks. That's pretty common.
Those in the know, talk to me about this guy.
We still thinking he's a NHL player?
He's playing 3C behind 2 seasoned pros so is making the most of his minutes. He's developing very nicely. It'll be intriguing to see him as Sweden's 1C playing a huge role against his peers.From strictly a stat-watching perspective - I hoped for a bit more SHL production to this point. Looking forward to watching him get big minutes in the WJC though
Bakes said the same thing a few days ago (unless the Ducks decide to send Leo Carlsson to WJC for some reason).Wheeler and Pronman both picked Ostlund as the presumptive 1st line center for Sweden at the WJC in an article on The Athletic yesterday.
What was the reasoning for him not getting used to NA ice and Sabres' "systems" in Rochester this season? Getting stuck behind veteran players because an SEL team is rightfully trying to win games instead of develop young players seems to happen a lot.He's playing 3C behind 2 seasoned pros so is making the most of his minutes. He's developing very nicely. It'll be intriguing to see him as Sweden's 1C playing a huge role against his peers.
It's also nice seeing Wahlberg is slated for a top 6 role
They gave him the choice as they knew he'd still get quality minutes to develop his defensive game while having tons of opportunities with the U20. He was going to be stuck behind people in Rochester also so it wasn't like he was going to be gifted 1C role while trying to develop Kulich and Kozak as CWhat was the reasoning for him not getting used to NA ice and Sabres' "systems" in Rochester this season? Getting stuck behind veteran players because an SEL team is rightfully trying to win games instead of develop young players seems to happen a lot.
Winning SHL is often the highlight of a players career if they don't win the olympics or stanley cup. Depending on the team you play for it might even be olympics level.What was the reasoning for him not getting used to NA ice and Sabres' "systems" in Rochester this season? Getting stuck behind veteran players because an SEL team is rightfully trying to win games instead of develop young players seems to happen a lot.
Wahlberg and Ostlund have the potential to be key missing pieces for this team. I still view them as long shots to reach their potential, but this team is starved for anyone to go to the front of the net, and for a defensively minded 2C/3C. Everyone says that it is near impossible to trade for these players, and that no UFA of value would come here. They need to take some more swings on these types of players.With the 2023 WJC ongoing, Kris Baker had a lot of nice things to say about Ostlund recently as a guest on a local podcast. It might have been on Straight Up Sabres.
Baker was asked to compare the three 2022 first round picks and basically said that Ostlund is a true center who embraces all aspects of the position. That means a 200 foot game and defensive responsibilities in addition to offense. So, in the sense that Ostlund recognizes all of what it means to be a center - he's "complete" and would fill a gap in that aspect of play on the Sabres
Baker noted that Ostlund has worked hard on his shooting with notable improvement. He excellent defensively. In response to a comment that Ostlund might be traded bait, he said that as he is out of sight, out of mind "you don't know what you don't know about him". But because of how he plays - smart and shifty as mentioned above, thinks fast, plays with pace, excellent with the puck, nice shot and defensively responsible - Ostlund is his personal favorite among the three 2022 first round picks. And that's not nothing given what we've seen from Kulich in the AHL and in the 23 WJC and Savoie's scoring rate in the W. He thought Ostlund might make a nice future 3rd line defensive center with offensive ability in the NHL. Baker also did say that like anyone who is 5'10" and 19 years - he's going to need to add muscle and strength to be successful going forward, basically saying give him a couple of years and 15 pounds and he'll be ready.
Baker had some nice things to say about Wahlberg as well - many for the reasons you cited. I posted those in the Wahlberg thread.Wahlberg and Ostlund have the potential to be key missing pieces for this team. I still view them as long shots to reach their potential, but this team is starved for anyone to go to the front of the net, and for a defensively minded 2C/3C. Everyone says that it is near impossible to trade for these players, and that no UFA of value would come here. They need to take some more swings on these types of players.
I'm not trying to be a smart-Alec, but of our current roster of forwards which ones came into the NHL with reputations for not being willing to go to the front of the net? Is our current problem with players playing on the perimeter because we lack guys who naturally go to the net? Or is it that nobody demands it of them?Wahlberg and Ostlund have the potential to be key missing pieces for this team. I still view them as long shots to reach their potential, but this team is starved for anyone to go to the front of the net, and for a defensively minded 2C/3C. Everyone says that it is near impossible to trade for these players, and that no UFA of value would come here. They need to take some more swings on these types of players.