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

[Eye of Ra]

Young Tom Willander, RHD, will always be compared to RHD Axel Sandin Pellikka.

Hopefully the argument goes like, "Would you rather have a RHD Miro Heiskanen or a RHD Quinn Hughes?"

I see Wilander more as a Öhlund type, and he looks like Dolph Lundgren, the kid is as Alpha as it gets

 

[Gstank]

What are the chances he gets into the top six at WJC competing against ASP, Mattias Havelid, and Anton Johansson?

Probably very good considering all those guys cant defend

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I see Wilander more as a Öhlund type, and he looks like Dolph Lundgren, the kid is as Alpha as it gets

The Canucks have had such a good run of drafting Swedes and Americans but are just dreadful at drafting Canucks. We may need a name change soon!

 

[wetcoast]

Young Tom Willander, RHD, will always be compared to RHD Axel Sandin Pellikka.

Hopefully the argument goes like, "Would you rather have a RHD Miro Heiskanen or a RHD Quinn Hughes?"

I think Willander will be closer to Miro than ASP to Quinn and I love Miro.

 

[Russian_fanatic]

He has been absolutely elite so far. He just doesn't make any mistakes defensively. Obviously we knew his skating was his best traits, but his gap control, stick work, and positioning is so good, he just erases plays, reminds me of Dan Hamhuis. All the tools to be a top pairing defender are there.

 

[BCNate]

Willander has looked really good. I wasn;t sold on taking him as high as we did, but he has certainly looked the part at BU and in the WJC so far.

All 3 Canucks on Team Sweden have been impressive in the tournament, hope they can keep it up for 2 more games.

 

[Fatass]

He has been absolutely elite so far. He just doesn't make any mistakes defensively. Obviously we knew his skating was his best traits, but his gap control, stick work, and positioning is so good, he just erases plays, reminds me of Dan Hamhuis. All the tools to be a top pairing defender are there.

Isn’t Willander still transitioning to D from centre? The NCAA coaching is helping him a lot with focussing of being a defensive player first. Once he’s got that part of the game fully under control, which it looks like he certainly does, then he will start jumping up into the offensive play more.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Hasn’t been on the ice all tournament for a goal against and is still eligible for next years WJC. He’s looking like a human eraser defending the rush.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Super excited for this prospect. As well as Lekkerimaki played at the WJC i came away more impressed and intrigued with what Willander can contribute in the NHL.

Superior skater especially in defensive transition. Battles hard on the boards and in front of the net. Excellent transition outlet passes.

I also see that he has alot of untapped offensive potential that he isnt utilizing yet both at BC and for Team Sweden at WJC.


I see him as a top line pairing Dman in the NHL that QBs the 2nd unit PP and scoring 50ish points a year while shutting down the other teams top player.

Pandolfo , BC coach raved about Willander's skating and strength before the tournament and it was just such an eye openner to see what he was talking about.

Probably 1 more year of College Hockey and WJC next year then he makes his pro debut for the Canucks in the spring of 2025.

 

[Raistlin]

So 4 points in 4 games since he came back from the silver medal, leading BU in +/-, the defensive conscience in a formidable pair with Lane Hudson. With all the talk of Canucks going all in, they better not entertain any thoughts of moving him. He's the only untouchable prospect in my opinion, even over Lekkerimaki and his WJC MVP title.

Cannot wait for next game against BC and their team USA line.

 

[Knight53]

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Skates really well. Has some aspects of Faber in his game. Projects well to pro as a top 4 guy with offense, but even better defensively

 

[Oak]

Nice to see the offensive numbers racking up. I have always loved the kid because of his 2 way play and I was surprised to see him going #11 overall considering he hasn't shown elite offense.

Good luck to TW. Looking forward to watching him continue to develop.

 

[Oak]

If Willander wants to play his role in the top pair, I do believe he needs to gain 15-20 Lbs in the next 2 years. Esp if he's earmarked to play with Quinn Hughes.

Using WIllander as Quinns baby sitter would be a waste. Kid has more to give in my opinion.

 

[Oak]

He is already 6'2 - 190 lbs

20 lbs? Why does he have to be 210lbs?

Though i dont doubt he will naturally be around 200lbs as his playing weight in the pros, I dont agree that he has to be 210 lbs or more to be a top pairing.

Hronek is killing it with Q Hughes and Willander is already bigger and heavier than Hronek who is 6'0 190 lbs.

others that have excelled with Q Hughes. Chris Tanev 6'2- 190 lbs.

EP and BU have him listed at 6'1. Considering Hutsons numbers are inflated a bit he might not even be 6'1 but it's hard for me to tell standing next to him with his skates on.

 

[Preposterone]

I see Wilander more as a Öhlund type, and he looks like Dolph Lundgren, the kid is as Alpha as it gets

Ohlund is like 7-8 cm taller than Willander though. Bigger reach difference between Tom and Mattias than Asd and Tom.

I may be getting a little bullish here, but Willander reminds me a ton of young Ryan Suter

 

[Petey O]

Using WIllander as Quinns baby sitter would be a waste. Kid has more to give in my opinion.

Implying Quinn needs a 'baby sitter'. Have you watched the guy play?

 

[lawrence]

I see Wilander more as a Öhlund type, and he looks like Dolph Lundgren, the kid is as Alpha as it gets

wow.... ohlund was a beast. I don't see the same in Willander. Willander doesn't look that big either.

 

[Szechwan]

Using WIllander as Quinns baby sitter would be a waste. Kid has more to give in my opinion.

Do you consider Hronek to be Quinn's babysitter too?

 

[Oak]

Implying Quinn needs a 'baby sitter'. Have you watched the guy play?

I know Canucks fanboys always tense up when that term is brought up but in order to play Quinns style of hockey you need a partner who is more defensively responsible. Playing that way would limit Willanders potential.

To answer your question though, I have only seen a few Canucks games this season but Quinns style of play in the dzone has not changed from what I saw last year.

 

[MS]

I know Canucks fanboys always tense up when that term is brought up but in order to play Quinns style of hockey you need a partner who is more defensively responsible. Playing that way would limit Willanders potential.

To answer your question though, I have only seen a few Canucks games this season but Quinns style of play in the dzone has not changed from what I saw last year.

Hughes plays with another smallish offense-oriented skill defender in Filip Hronek and that pairing has been the best in the NHL this year.

 

[lawrence]

I may be getting a little bullish here, but Willander reminds me a ton of young Ryan Suter

woah woah woah, thats extremely bullish bro. He's nothing like him in my opinion. 2nd pairining reliable dman, Travis hamonic level dman.

 

[MS]

woah woah woah, thats extremely bullish bro. He's nothing like him in my opinion. 2nd pairining reliable dman, Travis hamonic level dman.

Travis Hamonic - a slowish, physical pure defensive defender - is a very strange comparison for Willander who is probably the best-skating prospect D in the world right now.

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

Travis Hamonic - a slowish, physical pure defensive defender - is a very strange comparison for Willander who is probably the best-skating prospect D in the world right now.

From what I’ve seen Ohlund has been the best comparison thus far. Kinda good at everything, kinda bad at nothing. Skates better though, as you’d expect.

I think Salo with better wheels and a much worse shot was too wordy.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

Ohlund's physical play is too much for Willander he can play the body but he will not crush people like Ohlund did . He's more like Dan Hamhuis