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

[Reverend Mayhem]

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

Oooh yeah that’s a better one considering Hammer was a better skater than Ohlund. I thought.

I think the game has changed so much in 20 years, even 10 honestly, that you kind of have to take some liberties with player comparisons. I mean 2 line pass, hybrid icing, I can think of so many changes that came bc this product is what the NHL has wanted since 2004.

 

[MS]

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.

Ohlund was huge, mean, and slow.

Willander is like a smaller Hanifin. Elite skater, high defensive IQ, probably not a PP1 guy but skilled enough to be a decent point producer and quality transition defender.

Brodin is also a decent comparable. So is Hamhuis.

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

Ohlund was huge, mean, and slow.

Willander is like a smaller Hanifin. Elite skater, high defensive IQ, probably not a PP1 guy but skilled enough to be a decent point producer and quality transition defender.

Brodin is also a decent comparable. So is Hamhuis.

Yeah nah, when I think of an all-around, two-way, generally good defenseman for some reason that’s who I think of. I like Hamhuis and Brodin! as better options.

 

[oceanchild]

Yeah nah, when I think of an all-around, two-way, generally good defenseman for some reason that’s who I think of. I like Hamhuis and Brodin! as better options.

If he is as good as Hamhuis, it will be a huge win for this organization.

 

[Oak]

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

smallish

Wilander is 6'1 an inch bigger than Hronek so I guess if you put Willander with Hughes we will have two smallish defenders.

 

[Raistlin]

smallish

Wilander is 6'1 an inch bigger than Hronek so I guess if you put Willander with Hughes we will have two smallish defenders.

When you compare him with the other minute munching defensive pillars out there, he is lacking weight. Ideal playing weight is probably closer to 200lbs. I compare him with Brodin because he was drafted very slight also... 170? And now his playing weight is 195.

 

[Oak]

When you compare him with the other minute munching defensive pillars out there, he is lacking weight. Ideal playing weight is probably closer to 200lbs. I compare him with Brodin because he was drafted very slight also... 170? And now his playing weight is 195.

He also just turned 19 and is atleast 2 years away from the NHl. I'd expect to see another 10-15 pounds of muscle added easily before then.

Regardless, as much as I love Willanders 2 way game and believe he would be able to qb a pp1 I don't think he will ever get that chance in Vancuver and will only be a complimentary player to Q. Hughes, similar to what they will do to Nemec in NJ.

 

[Hansen]

I for one think he is a Mike Weaver but taller, faster, and better

 

[Knight53]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

He also just turned 19 and is atleast 2 years away from the NHl. I'd expect to see another 10-15 pounds of muscle added easily before then.

Regardless, as much as I love Willanders 2 way game and believe he would be able to qb a pp1 I don't think he will ever get that chance in Vancuver and will only be a complimentary player to Q. Hughes, similar to what they will do to Nemec in NJ.

Not to take the focus of Willander, but your Nemec reference is flawed. Nemec, who just turned 20, is playing a significant role in the NHL already and that role will only grow as he matures physically and develops his tactical game.

Willander may very well have similar potential but to this point he is playing at a lower level of competition on a dominant team.

 

[De Montreal]

Not to take the focus of Willander, but your Nemec reference is flawed. Nemec, who just turned 20, is playing a significant role in the NHL already and that role will only grow as he matures physically and develops his tactical game.

Willander may very well have similar potential but to this point he is playing at a lower level of competition on a dominant team.

I think what he meant is complimentary offensive role. Nemec will play second fiddle to Hughes on the PP for as long as they are both in NJ.

 

[Bobby9]

His skill set reminds me of Dan Boyle.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I think what he meant is complimentary offensive role. Nemec will play second fiddle to Hughes on the PP for as long as they are both in NJ.

Which is sad since Nemec is the far better player.

 

[De Montreal]

Which is sad since Nemec is the far better player.

I agree but I believe Hughes to be the better QB

 

[Raistlin]

I agree but I believe Hughes to be the better QB

its not a bad situation to be in for your future. 1A/1B.

That is what Canuck fans hope Hughes/Willander to be for them one day.

 

[Warh1ppy]

So he apparently put up good numbers in BU. Comparable to McAvoy or better.

what's the word for this guy? is he in my pool next year or is he still college bound?

 

[Killer Orcas]

His skill set reminds me of Dan Boyle.

If he's anything close to Boyle we've hit a home run !

 

[Szechwan]

So he apparently put up good numbers in BU. Comparable to McAvoy or better.

what's the word for this guy? is he in my pool next year or is he still college bound?

Still needs at least 1 more year in college to round out his game. Likely signs at the end of next year but may still need a little seasoning in the AHL.

 

[Warh1ppy]

Still needs at least 1 more year in college to round out his game. Likely signs at the end of next year but may still need a little seasoning in the AHL.

So he actually has potential then?

 

[95snipes]

Forsling is what Canuck fans should be hoping for,

 

[Raistlin]

Forsling is what Canuck fans should be hoping for,

2022 Forsling or the guy that we traded for Adam Clendening?

So he actually has potential then?

he has loads of potential. but until he plays in vancouver, thats all that is. McAvoy is the absolute ceiling IMO. Next year without Hutson Canucks can really see what his offensive upside is.

 

[95snipes]

2022 Forsling or the guy that we traded for Adam Clendening?

he has loads of potential. but until he plays in vancouver, thats all that is. McAvoy is the absolute ceiling IMO. Next year without Hutson Canucks can really see what his offensive upside is.

I know that comment was in jest, but the Forsling that's been a stud in the playoffs.

I wouldn't expect McAvoy. He's running about 60 points / 82 games over the past three years. It's unlikely Willander touches those kind of totals. If you can get a Forsling type of player - ~40 points and high end defense, that's the rough upside with Willander and would be a win for the Canucks. Pretty ideal partner for Quinn Hughes on paper.

Also Cole Hutson likely steps onto the PP1 unit for BU from day 1 next year.

 

[Raistlin]

I know that comment was in jest, but the Forsling that's been a stud in the playoffs.

I wouldn't expect McAvoy. He's running about 60 points / 82 games over the past three years. It's unlikely Willander touches those guy kind of totals. If you can get a Forsling type of player - ~40 points and high end defense, that's the rough upside with Willander and would be a win for the Canucks. Pretty ideal partner for Quinn Hughes on paper.

Also Cole Hutson likely steps onto the PP1 unit for BU from day 1 next year.

Is Cole as puck dominant as his brother?

I agree, I do not expect WIllander to approach anywhere close to 40 in his first few years. I will remind others that he is still considerably new to his position compared to other prospects, and is very much still learning its nuances. My lofty expectation is he will likely end up something like Brodin defensively. His upside points wise is anyone's guess right now.

he could be a pretty ideal partner for Hughes, which factors into how much Allvin is willing to give to Hronek for how long this off season.

 

[95snipes]

Is Cole as puck dominant as his brother?

I agree, I do not expect WIllander to approach anywhere close to 40 in his first few years. I will remind others that he is still considerably new to his position compared to other prospects, and is very much still learning its nuances. My lofty expectation is he will likely end up something like Brodin defensively. His upside points wise is anyone's guess right now.

he could be a pretty ideal partner for Hughes, which factors into how much Allvin is willing to give to Hronek for how long this off season.

Cole and Lane are similar. Cole is more cerebral and has a better shot where Lane has better feet and better escapability. Both have great hockey sense and are elite at making plays with the puck at the blueline and across the seam.