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

[Raistlin]

Button yesterday unprompted, compares him to Charlie Mcavoy.

him and Chris Peters thinks he is the best 18 year old D, over Reinbacher and Simashev. Its Button though, I'll take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Juxtaposer]

McAvoy is such a stupid comparison for Willander, but that’s Button for you. And this is coming from someone who actually liked the Willander pick and don’t think it was a reach at all.

 

[LemonSauceD]

McAvoy is such a stupid comparison for Willander, but that’s Button for you. And this is coming from someone who actually liked the Willander pick and don’t think it was a reach at all.

It’s really not.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Button like most Prospect Experts have their hits and misses. However he was bang on about Virtanen and Juolevi being busts. Only Canuck prospect I think that he was really high on that busted was Hunter Shinkaruk.

 

[beachcomber]

McAvoy is such a stupid comparison for Willander, but that’s Button for you. And this is coming from someone who actually liked the Willander pick and don’t think it was a reach at all.

Agreed, this kid is at least a tier below McAvoy.

 

[Hansen]

Wrong thread

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It’s really not.

So you think it’s likely that an 11th overall pick becomes a top 5 defenseman in the NHL?

Fully with @Juxtaposer on this. I liked the pick and don’t say that about all picks. I think Willander will be good, but it’s very unlikely he’ll be as good as McAvoy.

 

[LemonSauceD]

So you think it’s likely that an 11th overall pick becomes a top 5 defenseman in the NHL?

Fully with @Juxtaposer on this. I liked the pick and don’t say that about all picks. I think Willander will be good, but it’s very unlikely he’ll be as good as McAvoy.

Being compared to a player doesn’t mean they’ll be as good as them. Play style, draft selection/projection, production, etc are some things that are used to compare prospects to current NHL’ers. McAvoy certainly wasn’t projected to be a top 10 defenseman in the NHL but rather a sure bet #4 guy who could very well become a top 3 defenseman. Obviously we know how that turned out.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Agreed, this kid is at least a tier below McAvoy.

Sure. He most likely ends up a tier below.
But let’s not pretend that McAvoy was a sure thing when he was drafted in the 14th spot either. If he was he would have gone in the top 3 at worst.

 

[beachcomber]

Sure. He most likely ends up a tier below.
But let’s not pretend that McAvoy was a sure thing when he was drafted in the 14th spot either. If he was he would have gone in the top 3 at worst.

All good, at least we got Juolevi in that draft.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Continues to impress. It only took 13 games but it seems he has adjusted to the North American Ice. He has now been promoted to TOP-DPairing for BU and will be partnered with Lane Hutson. Great opportunity to learn for Willander here as he is penciled in to be Q Hughes partner whenever he makes the show.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Watching a few of their games, he’s been one of their best overall defenseman.

Hutson’s play should elevate considerably playing with Willander. Hopefully he leeches off some points.

 

[wetcoast]

Continues to impress. It only took 13 games but it seems he has adjusted to the North American Ice. He has now been promoted to TOP-DPairing for BU and will be partnered with Lane Hutson. Great opportunity to learn for Willander here as he is penciled in to be Q Hughes partner whenever he makes the show.

They really need to play Case and Gavin McCarthy together right?

I really like the Willander pick BTW, very impressive physical skills and skating and still learning to play defense after switching from forward.

I don't mind the McAvoy comparison (except not as physical) at the same time in their careers but who knows how it turns out.

 

[UrbanImpact]

BU Coach and Stanley Cup Champ Jay Pandolfo on his scouting on Tom. (Starts at 2min 30 sec)

- Very Competitive and Athletic
-Very Good defensively
-Elite skater
-Ends opposing offensive plays quickly
- Went through adjustment period for North American Rink size
- North American ice suits Tom's game more with how fast he closes defensively and how he transitions the puck
-Super coachable and always trying to get better
-He has not been outmatched or outmuscled by anyone up to this point even the 23-24 yr olds that they face in College Hockey

Asked to compare Tom with any current or former NHLer. Pandolfo replies:

- He is the type that will log a ton of minutes and play against the other teams best forwards.
-His elite skating will allow him to be on the ice for 25 min a night and he wont get tired
-He could be a top pair guy that compliments a top offensive player or he can be on the 2nd pairing and be used as a shut down guy and face the other teams top player.

 

[M2Beezy]

Button yesterday unprompted, compares him to Charlie Mcavoy.

For Canucks fans hopefully like McAvoy but with more physicality and offense

 

[wetcoast]

For Canucks fans hopefully like McAvoy but with more physicality and offense

Like usual you have it bass akwards but to be fair you are always unbiased so there is that.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Willander vs Wallinder who ya got?

 

[TLEH]

I'll be at the game tonight @ Gallant Arena. Looking forward to watching Greene, Celebrini, Hutson and Willander.

 

[wetcoast]

Willander vs Wallinder who ya got?

I like Wallinder but this isn't close IMO.

 

[sting101]

I'll be at the game tonight @ Gallant Arena. Looking forward to watching Greene, Celebrini, Hutson and Willander.

full scouting report expected lol

 

[TLEH]

full scouting report expected lol

I've got my notebook ready.

 

[TLEH]

Been a chippy game. Lots of shit talking and pushing and shoving.

 

[TLEH]

So far I’ve thought that it was smart to put Hutson and WILLANDER together. WILLANDER did get ran a bit tonight .. but thought he responded well. Played a steady game. Not sure he is dynamic offensively but he’s very good defensively and a great skater. Good stick. I liked him a lot tonight. He’s tough too.

He’s quick in closing gaps and has good burst. Also one thing I noticed was that he was always talking to his teammates and always talking to his coaches after like.. every shift.

It was a slog of a game. Games like tonight were NHL style games.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Been a chippy game. Lots of shit talking and pushing and shoving.

Must've been alot of fun when that alarm was going off lol

Glad to see Willander wasn't shaken up after that hit to the head. Hopefully he stays with Hutson, good first season for him thus-far.

 

[TLEH]

Must've been alot of fun when that alarm was going off lol

Glad to see Willander wasn't shaken up after that hit to the head. Hopefully he stays with Hutson, good first season for him thus-far.

I pulled it brother I had to shit and didn't want to miss a shift.