D Tom Willander - Boston University, NCAA (2023, 11th, VAN)

[Raistlin]

his demeanor.... and poise in front of the rabid reporters... behaves like hes 28. also, hard to believe english is not his first language. Really hope he turns into a star.

 

[nergish]

his demeanor.... and poise in front of the rabid reporters... behaves like hes 28. also, hard to believe english is not his first language. Really hope he turns into a star.

Man, this pick is making more and more sense every day. This kid is already 100x more confident public speaking than EP40 lol

What an incredibly smart, well-spoken young man. He is going to have an excellent year of development at BU.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

his demeanor.... and poise in front of the rabid reporters... behaves like hes 28. also, hard to believe english is not his first language. Really hope he turns into a star.

A ton of Scandinavians can speak fluent English, some even with an American accent lel, like my best friend.

 

[Raistlin]

A ton of Scandinavians can speak fluent English, some even with an American accent lel, like my best friend.

Its true, I was just expecting a swedish accent. I guess like most big cities, those that come from more cosmopolitan areas like Stockholm or Gothenburg would have more chance to practice english. I remember Karlsson's early interviews where you can tell its not natural to speak english for him.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Its true, I was just expecting a swedish accent. I guess like most big cities, those that come from more cosmopolitan areas like Stockholm or Gothenburg would have more chance to practice english. I remember Karlsson's early interviews where you can tell its not natural to speak english for him.

Well Gen Z vs Millenial plays a factor as well. Willander, my friend, and I are all Gen Z. Gen Z Scandinavians even from small towns (My friend is from a small town in Norway) are far more exposed to American media and can speak fluent English even without an accent.

 

[Icebreakers]

his demeanor.... and poise in front of the rabid reporters... behaves like hes 28. also, hard to believe english is not his first language. Really hope he turns into a star.

He lived briefly in Alberta when he was younger. He played for them in the Brick Tournament in like 2014 lol. His dad is a youth skills coach so he probably travelled a lot and had to converse in English.

 

[Canucks LB]

Kid sounds and skates like a star man

 

[VictorLustig]

A ton of Scandinavians can speak fluent English, some even with an American accent lel, like my best friend.

Well they sure know all the hockey clichés but try asking guys like Willander or Landeskog about arts or politics and you will notice immediately the lack of vocabulary compared to an average native English speaker.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Cool story, bro...
My sister-in-law married a Swede and his family spoke impeccable English, almost to a fault.
They were kind of baffled by slang and did not know the easy way of saying things.
At one point, after the wedding ceremony, his father came up to me and rather than asking something along the lines of "so, what's up now?" instead asked, "what is the correct procedure at this juncture?"

 

[D0ctorCool]

Well they sure know all the hockey clichés but try asking guys like Willander or Landeskog about arts or politics and you will notice immediately the lack of vocabulary compared to an average native English speaker.

Try asking most NHL'ers about arts or politics and you'll immediately notice their lack of vocabulary too.

 

[Knight53]

Unreal skater. Has everything you want in an all around #1D.

 

[Riggins]

Unreal skater. Has everything you want in an all around #1D.

Slow down the hype train, yeesh. You should be happy if he's a low offense second pairing guy in 5 years.

 

[UrbanImpact]

I mentioned it pre-draft but this guy oozes 'Captain Matertial' Reports out of the interviews at the combine is some teams regarded Willander as the best interview theyve had in a long time and compared his leadership and maturity to the likes of Gabriel Landeskog when he was going through the draft process.


also intriguing to note, in a press interview over the weekend, Wallinder mentioned that this season was his only his 2nd full time season as a defender. Its impressive to see that he is very detailed and reliable on the defenive end. Most forwards that transition to defence have a hard time with the defensive aspect of the game but flourish witht he offensive side.

Willander's skating is mesmerizing to watch and his IQ can keep up.

I think he will be a one and done in BU and will mostly be focusing on strength developing and the details of playing in a smaller rink. 2 years is the max i can see him being at BU.

 

[sting101]

I doubt he's 1 and done and he still has lots to learn and clean up defensively as well as add muscle. As reported by scouts that watched more than a tournament with 2 decent teams that could actually compete with Sweden he has lots to work on

It's ike some of you watch a U18 and see a couple interviews and expect he's the next prime Nick Lidstrom or Erik Karlsson at 19. Have you ever watched a U18 at ice level and then a NHL game right after? Massive gulf to clear.

Would be nice to play 2 yrs in BU and then come to camp at 20 with the intention of being a every day NHLer at closer to 200lbs than 190 with a mountain of expectations heaped on his shoulders.

He even gets it himself when he discussed choosing BU to get the development he thinks would be best for him and as mentioned he's only 2yrs as a full time D. It's not like he was absolutely destroying the Swedish junior league either. SLOW DOWN take a breath realize we have an excellent prospect with a good head on his shoulders and let him grow. Patrick Alvin even discussed that he needs time to develop. Just came short of saying it's a marathon not a sprint but you could tell what he means.

 

[UrbanImpact]

I doubt he's 1 and done and he still has lots to learn and clean up defensively as well as add muscle. As reported by scouts that watched more than a tournament with 2 decent teams that could actually compete with Sweden he has lots to work on

It's ike some of you watch a U18 and see a couple interviews and expect he's the next prime Nick Lidstrom or Erik Karlsson at 19. Have you ever watched a U18 at ice level and then a NHL game right after? Massive gulf to clear.

Would be nice to play 2 yrs in BU and then come to camp at 20 with the intention of being a every day NHLer at closer to 200lbs than 190 with a mountain of expectations heaped on his shoulders.

He even gets it himself when he discussed choosing BU to get the development he thinks would be best for him and as mentioned he's only 2yrs as a full time D. It's not like he was absolutely destroying the Swedish junior league either. SLOW DOWN take a breath realize we have an excellent prospect with a good head on his shoulders and let him grow. Patrick Alvin even discussed that he needs time to develop. Just came short of saying it's a marathon not a sprint but you could tell what he means.

1 and done at BU then handful of games with NHL next spring then 1-2 years full time with Abootsford Canucks. This is the timeline i see for him.

I think he will be a full time NHLer within 3 years. 3 years between NCAA and AHL, could see it going 1+2 or 2+1, regardless i think he is already very detailed in his game. Strengthening and getting used to NA ice will be priority.

 

[sting101]

1 and done at BU then handful of games with NHL next spring then 1-2 years full time with Abootsford Canucks. This is the timeline i see for him.

I think he will be a full time NHLer within 3 years. 3 years between NCAA and AHL, could see it going 1+2 or 2+1, regardless i think he is already very detailed in his game. Strengthening and getting used to NA ice will be priority.

i think your expecting too much and asking him to play beyond where he can grow his confidence and strength. He's 6'1 180lbs with 2 full time yrs on defense and was a reach by the Canucks (was mostly rated 20-40 3 months before the draft) who are gambling (a good gamble) that his rapid progression continues. He's coming off a good year in Swedish junior and a excellent U18s where his team was dominant on big ice.

The GM and Willander have even stated the plan and it's extremely rare for a D to be put into the NHL as a teenager. He didn't go to BU to be 1 and done he likely would have just played SEL this year then gone to the NHL if that's the case. I can almost guarantee you he will spend 2yrs at BU even Cale Makar Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy spent 2yrs in the NCAA before coming out

 

[UrbanImpact]

i think your expecting too much and asking him to play beyond where he can grow his confidence and strength. He's 6'1 180lbs with 2 full time yrs on defense and was a reach by the Canucks (was mostly rated 20-40 3 months before the draft) who are gambling (a good gamble) that his rapid progression continues. He's coming off a good year in Swedish junior and a excellent U18s where his team was dominant on big ice.

The GM and Willander have even stated the plan and it's extremely rare for a D to be put into the NHL as a teenager. He didn't go to BU to be 1 and done he likely would have just played SEL this year then gone to the NHL if that's the case. I can almost guarantee you he will spend 2yrs at BU even Cale Makar Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy spent 2yrs in the NCAA before coming out

I dont know why you keep saying im expecting too much when i have at least 3 years before he is a full time NHLer.

Makar, Hughes and Mcavoy didnt spend time in the AHL, where as I have Wallinder spending at least 1 or 2 season with the AHL farm team.

So where do you keep getting at that I have too high of expectations?

 

[sting101]

I dont know why you keep saying im expecting too much when i have at least 3 years before he is a full time NHLer.

Makar, Hughes and Mcavoy didnt spend time in the AHL, where as I have Wallinder spending at least 1 or 2 season with the AHL farm team.

So where do you keep getting at that I have too high of expectations?

it's pretty simple you think he's one and done at BU. Not happening

Tell me why he would come from Sweden to BU to then go to the AHL at 19? makes zero sense.

Why do you think this is a reasonable path? You do realize your creating an expectation that doesn't even exist within the player or the GM.....im all ears

 

[Raistlin]

It's always a good idea to slow cook defencemen if you can. Esp when we have Colliton. I won't mind him cutting his teeth in the A for a year, ideally dominate down there.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Got to see the last couple of days at Van camp.

-Smooth as butter at skating. Edging, turning, power, agility. All there when it comes to skating.
- Slapper needs more meat on it
- Violent and aggressive when it comes to board battles and clearing the crease.
-Intelligent: makes simple plays but also is thinking 2-3 steps ahead

Hes been paired up alot with Elias Pettersson during drills, could be a very good D-pairing for Team Sweden at the WJC.. He has also had lots of great battles with fellow first round Swede, Jonathan Lekkerimaki

Havent seen too much of his offence, but stylistically on defence , he really reminds me of Pesce/Tanev type of defender that skates likes Heiskanen

He says he compares and models his game to Heiskanen so that would make sense.

 

[Knight53]

 

[Canucks LB]

Tom looks absolutely unbelievable, what a snipe

 

[Jay26]

About as good a start for him as you could ask for. Apparently he's also been promoted already from the 3rd pairing to the 1st pairing.

 

[Raistlin]

About as good a start for him as you could ask for. Apparently he's also been promoted already from the 3rd pairing to the 1st pairing.

staple him to Hudson (stand-in for QH).

 

[Knight53]

Tom looks absolutely unbelievable, what a snipe

His offensive toolkit is impressive. Scary thing is he’s known for his defence. Such an exciting prospect. Aiden Celebrini with a strong debut as well.