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

[Juxtaposer]

Curious who people think would be his closest comparable in recent NHL?

Maybe John Marino?

I have this guy as my third favorite defensemen in this draft and my highest ranked Swedish D. Don’t think he has real #1D upside, but I think his floor is really high and he could be a good two-way #2-3 who can handle the puck well and play shutdown minutes.

 

[NTDP]

Maybe John Marino?

I have this guy as my third favorite defensemen in this draft and my highest ranked Swedish D. Don’t think he has real #1D upside, but I think his floor is really high and he could be a good two-way #2-3 who can handle the puck well and play shutdown minutes.

The bolded part I think is a perfect way to describe this guy. He just has pro written all over him the way he plays the game.

 

[Castle8130]

We need a shift by shift video on this guy asap. Him and Juraj are the last two high level talents that aren't on youtube videos.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm honestly wondering if in my final rankings I'll have him above ASP.

I think his growth runway is even larger.

 

[GoBoltz56]

A bit of Stralman in his game I think.

 

[Mrb1p]

Maybe John Marino?

I have this guy as my third favorite defensemen in this draft and my highest ranked Swedish D. Don’t think he has real #1D upside, but I think his floor is really high and he could be a good two-way #2-3 who can handle the puck well and play shutdown minutes.

Same. Not Marino though, tool-wise he's similar to a Sergachev, he just doesn't have the killer mentality that Serge has. I'd say he ends up around a Pesce type.

I have him third too behind Rienbacher and Morin.

 

[Juxtaposer]

A bit of Stralman in his game I think.

Oh, I like this comparison the most.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

A bit of Stralman in his game I think.

Maybe a little bit.

I think Willander turns into that 25-35 point, quiet and not super physical but very solid defensive defender in the NHL. The best #4 a team could ask for.

I hope he falls to Detroit in the 2nd but wouldn't be surprised to see the Wings take him with the NYI pick.

 

[Eye of Ra]

A bit of Stralman in his game I think.

spot on

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Awesome U18's so far.

 

[tomd]

Sounds like he is everything that Jacob Larsson was supposed to be.

 

[G0bias]

He really flies out there. Beautiful stride and use of his edges to create distance

 

[NotProkofievian]

Beautiful skater, his goal yesterday was basically everything you want to see in this genre of prospect. Elite edges leading to a nice zone entry, keeping his head in the game to see Bjarnason was off his post.

 

[Preds666]

Thought he was Sweden's top defenseman in the tournament. So confident thanks to his brilliant skating and elite IQ. Good at both ends. Shocked if he is not a first rounder.

 

[Chainshot]

Thought he was Sweden's top defenseman in the tournament. So confident thanks to his brilliant skating and elite IQ. Good at both ends. Shocked if he is not a first rounder.

I had hopes he'd be around in the late 30's prior to this tournament. He's so going in the first round now.

 

[Realgud]

Thought he was Sweden's top defenseman in the tournament. So confident thanks to his brilliant skating and elite IQ. Good at both ends. Shocked if he is not a first rounder.

I thought he was the tournament's best defenseman, period. Borderline unbeatable on defense and showcased his great offensive ability.

 

[95snipes]

I haven't seen a ton of Reinbacher so of the guys I've seen a lot of, Willander's been my favorite defenseman of the draft since February. I will say he showed a lot better offensively at the U18 tournament than he did with Rogle.

If it is true that he is going to BU, then Hutson and Willander is going to be an absolutely dominant pairing next year. They should compliment each other perfectly.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I haven’t posted my updated rankings in a while, but I did a personal ranking last month and I had this kid as my #2 defender just ahead of Simishev and Dragcevic.

 

[SantosHalper]

If it is true that he is going to BU, then Hutson and Willander is going to be an absolutely dominant pairing next year. They should compliment each other perfectly.

Willander has played pro games already.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Flames need to draft this guy if Leonard, ASP, Perreault, Wood, and Danielson are gone by their pick (Reinbacher is definitely going to be gone by then).

 

[Henkka]

Liked really his play at U18.

 

[wingerdinger]

Willander has played pro games already.

Yes but he has always been on an amateur contract. Which keeps him NCAA eligible.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Better than ASP and yes I'm prepared to fight.

 

[Garl]

Better than ASP and yes I'm prepared to fight.

Not better now, but has more upside

 

[theslatcher]

Willander has played pro games already.

If you count riding the pine for two entire games, sure.