D Stian Solberg - Vålerenga, Norway (2024, 23rd, ANA)

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Goal and an assist today.

 

[Joka12]

If he continue like this I think he has a fair chance of getting drafted in 1st round.

 

[IslesNorway]

Another excellent showing yesterday against Czechia. I've no doubt scouts take note.

 

[lilidk]

Another excellent showing yesterday against Czechia. I've no doubt scouts take note.

Yesterday was my first time seeing him, waw. How is hot top 15 in this draft?

 

[Boonk]

Looks like hes gotten even better since his WJC a few months ago.

 

[Castle8130]

It'd be funny if this entire time we thought MBN was for sure going to break the record for the highest drafted Norwegian player and it ends up being Solberg

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

It'd be funny if this entire time we thought MBN was for sure going to break the record for the highest drafted Norwegian player and it ends up being Solberg

They may both go in 1st.

 

[Realgud]

Looks like hes gotten even better since his WJC a few months ago.

Exactly my thoughts. I thought his play with the puck was so-so at best at the WJC but it seems like his game has exploded recently and he is the complete package now. Offense, defense, physicality, puck-moving, leadership, skating... easily the best Norwegian player after 2 games imo. We'll see if he keeps it up.

 

[Boonk]

Exactly my thoughts. I thought his play with the puck was so-so at best at the WJC but it seems like his game has exploded recently and he is the complete package now. Offense, defense, physicality, puck-moving, leadership, skating... easily the best Norwegian player after 2 games imo. We'll see if he keeps it up.

Against pro men & NHLers too, higher level than the World Juniors. Ill be interested to see how he holds up against the stronger teams later in the group stage and how much his draft stock rises. Reinbacher had a similar showing with Austria last year and it all but solidified his place in the top 10.

 

[Realgud]

Against pro men & NHLers too, higher level than the World Juniors. Ill be interested to see how he holds up against the stronger teams later in the group stage and how much his draft stock rises. Reinbacher had a similar showing with Austria last year and it all but solidified his place in the top 10.

Seider too

 

[stl76]

Loved Solberg’s game at the WJC. Caught the game against Czechia at the WC’s and was blown away.

This kid has a very intriguing size/skill/skating combo. Ceiling is sky high, not sure there will be a better player available for the Blues pick at 16th OA in the 2024 draft…

 

[lilidk]

Loved Solberg’s game at the WJC. Caught the game against Czechia at the WC’s and was blown away.

This kid has a very intriguing size/skill/skating combo. Ceiling is sky high, not sure there will be a better player available for the Blues pick at 16th OA in the 2024 draft…

He is my first choice for wings at 15

Seider Edvinsson
Solberg ASP

 

[GermanSpitfire]

My final draft rankings will be out soon, and Solberg really jumped up my rankings. I think he’ll be the top Norwegian drafted and has top-4 written all over him. I have seen a switch flip on after the WJC where he had a horrendous event if I must be blunt. Since then though, he has been tremendous, his decision making has been excellent, he has gotten super comfortable against men in Norway and really started to take over games. Simply put, he is one of the most improved players in the second half of the season.

 

[WeThreeKings]

My final draft rankings will be out soon, and Solberg really jumped up my rankings. I think he’ll be the top Norwegian drafted and has top-4 written all over him. I have seen a switch flip on after the WJC where he had a horrendous event if I must be blunt. Since then though, he has been tremendous, his decision making has been excellent, he has gotten super comfortable against men in Norway and really started to take over games. Simply put, he is one of the most improved players in the second half of the season.

I actually thought he had a good event until he was obviously run down and exhausted. Most of the brutal errors he did commit (and he did have some terrible blunders, which is what I believe you're referring to) but he was playing an insane amount of ice time.

If they had the ability to manage his minutes better at the WJC he might have come out looking even better.

I love this kid, he's the playoff style defender every team wants.

 

[JiricekSaveUs]

Every time I watch Nygard I leave impressed with Solberg as well. Very good player.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Pronman 'mocked' him at 16th overall to the Blues today and Pronman is usually bang on when there is a late riser.

 

[lilidk]

Pronman 'mocked' him at 16th overall to the Blues today and Pronman is usually bang on when there is a late riser.

Nice

 

[STL fan in MN]

I actually thought he had a good event until he was obviously run down and exhausted. Most of the brutal errors he did commit (and he did have some terrible blunders, which is what I believe you're referring to) but he was playing an insane amount of ice time.

If they had the ability to manage his minutes better at the WJC he might have come out looking even better.

I love this kid, he's the playoff style defender every team wants.

I recall him looking good at times and others he looked really rough. But he also averaged over 25 min/game. 25 min/game is doable in the NHL but the international games seem to go at a faster pace. Less/shorter tv timeouts so I could certainly see why exhaustion could at least partially explain his uneven play.

As could Norway’s team was just a mess this year. Or maybe I’m just trying to come up with explanations for his uneven WJC with what I’m seeing now. Because what I’m seeing now is quite impressive for an 18 year old d-man.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I recall him looking good at times and others he looked really rough. But he also averaged over 25 min/game. 25 min/game is doable in the NHL but the international games seem to go at a faster pace. Less/shorter tv timeouts so I could certainly see why exhaustion could at least partially explain his uneven play.

As could Norway’s team was just a mess this year. Or maybe I’m just trying to come up with explanations for his uneven WJC with what I’m seeing now. Because what I’m seeing now is quite impressive for an 18 year old d-man.

I think it was more that they had a very heavy schedule, like the back to backs, playing 25+ minutes and if you see him he hasn't really learned to manage his energy levels so he goes hard for the entirety of his shift.

That lead to sloppy puck play and brutal turnovers. I think you can find a reason why he had some moments like that in that situation vs just having poor hockey sense like Charlie Elick demonstrates with the puck on his stick.

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

You can see his good hockey sense, he is a clear outlier on the backend for Norway in that regard. I think evaluating him in the WC situation is challenging though. Unique situation and role, but very good to see him running with it. I haven’t personally seen enough of his play to make a statement beyond he impressed me and the potential seems to be there.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Just realised that Norway could have 2 players drafted before the first swede this year ...

 

[IslesNorway]

The mere thought that Norway could have two players drafted in the first round reads like science fiction to most of us. And they get no press in this country.

 

[FinPanda]

The mere thought that Norway could have two players drafted in the first round reads like science fiction to most of us. And they get no press in this country.

Excellent for Norwegian hockey and its future though

 

[Realgud]

Just realised that Norway could have 2 players drafted before the first swede this year ...

Eye of Ra vindicated

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Yesterday was my first time seeing him, waw. How is hot top 15 in this draft?

Draft seems to be loaded with high end defenseman. I'd imagine playing in Norway as opposed to Sweden or North America has given some pause as to how his game will translate.