I’ve seen some players cost their teams with discipline over the years but I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a more undisciplined, immature player than Eliasson. His lack of control in his decisions with/without the puck during the actual play but also more pressingly with his body and his decisions after whistles has been a talking point all year. He has shown no ability to read the room (and the game clock) and rein it in, even on the international stage where it really counts. I could not believe how many times he cost the Swedes with a bone-headed penalty of frustration and rage during their international schedule this season and you came to expect it at the J20 level. It’s one thing to want to be tough and mean when you’re a 6-foot-6 defenseman. It’s another thing altogether when your team gives you one chance after another to cool it and you never get the message, resulting in benchings because you can’t be trusted to be on your best behaviour. With his size and fine-to-decent mobility, Eliasson could be a real force. He’s a lock to get picked and could even surprise some people with how high he goes because of his size, presence and decent mobility. Brady Cleveland was a second-round pick last year and Eliasson’s a better prospect than him on makeup. But I don’t trust him between the ears and I’d probably steer clear, frankly.
-ep.jpg)
www.eliteprospects.com
