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

[Jersey Fan 12]

Kids off to a great start

1 goal, 2 assists, +2 in 3 games so far

Tough to draw conclusions from the early season playing Holy Cross, Union, UConn and Harvard.

BU and Willander should be tested next weekend against the Fighting Sioux.

 

[sting101]

Who was making conclusions? And he's +4 which just adds to his on ice goal differential which is now a staggering +50 in 57 games in NCAA and international U20 play since being drafted. And his production in those games is 7 - 28 - 35pts

He has some puckhandling and decision making things to sort out so it's not a slam dunk but he's tracking extremely well. Lots to be determined

 

[Russian_fanatic]

Kid is the most underrated defensive prospect. He was names defensive prospect of the week.

5 games
2 goal
3 assists
+4

His IQ and defensive play was already NHL level, but the fact he has added a one timer to his repertoire is impressive. Willander is untouchable as far as Canucks prospects go. He's no longer a RHD with top 4 potential. He's a RHD who can carry a pairing, and has legit top pairing potential.

 

[M2Beezy]

He reminds me of Lidstrom but with more talent

 

[VanJack]

Given the state of the Canucks blueline these days, if Wilander signs at the end of the current NCAA season, I wouldn't rule it out that he joins the Canucks directly.

But if he spends any time at all in the AHL with Abbotsford, it won't be long.

 

[Raistlin]

Given the state of the Canucks blueline these days, if Wilander signs at the end of the current NCAA season, I wouldn't rule it out that he joins the Canucks directly.

But if he spends any time at all in the AHL with Abbotsford, it won't be long.

The bolded, and he is also clutch. I doubt he will ever touch Abbotsford. His defensive IQ is NHL level for a while now. Tocchet can plug him in the third pair at the very least, if his development continues throughout this year, by the end of his campaign he should have an opportunity to pair with Soucy and bump Myers down to #5 with Brannstrom or what not from the TDL.

 

[Eye of Ra]

He reminds me of Lidstrom but with more talent

You gotta be trolling

 

[Russian_fanatic]

Another point over the weekend

7 games
2 goals
4 assists
6 points
+4

For the season. Kid is the best player on the ice whenever he plays.

 

[Szechwan]

You gotta be trolling

bro you've been on this site for 16 years, surely you don't need to ask that question at this point

 

[jtechkid]

small sample so far this year - BU looks like has some weakness across the board .

 

[Breakers]

small sample so far this year - BU looks like has some weakness across the board .

The left side of the defense is too new and way too inexperienced

And they practically live in the penalty box

 

[Russian_fanatic]

bro you've been on this site for 16 years, surely you don't need to ask that question at this point

I agree.

My comparison was a RHD version of Bourque, but better defensively.

 

[lawrence]

You gotta be trolling

nah, he's serious bro. Hes somewhere between a Lidstrom to a Bobby Orr.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Big, Smooth skating RDs are the type of prospects you grow and develop because they rarely become available for trade. If they do become available it will cost heaven and earth to obtain them.

For example, if NYI made Dobson available right now, they would fetch a kings ransom. I believe Willander will be better than Dobson in 3 yrs or less.

 

[Realgud]

Big, Smooth skating RDs are the type of prospects you grow and develop because they rarely become available for trade. If they do become available it will cost heaven and earth to obtain them.

For example, if NYI made Dobson available right now, they would fetch a kings ransom. I believe Willander will be better than Dobson in 3 yrs or less.

I know people misspelled Lidström as "Lindstrom" but this is the first time I've seen it butchered this bad.

 

[tyhee]

You gotta be trolling

Nah, he just didn't realize people would mistake his reference to Lucas Lidstrom as a reference to Nicklas.

 

[Russian_fanatic]

9 points in 11 games.

Kid isn't even a PPQB, he's a defense first guy in the mold of Slavin. The fact he's showing this type of offensive ability shows how well he tracking.

He's tracking into a two way beast, who can play in all situations. I think he gets some burn this season once his college year is over.

 

[BKarchitect]

He’s a stud. He won’t have to be a #1 because of Quinn but he’s got top tier big minute upside.

I think he can have a Brock Faber like impact next year as a rookie. Faber is great skating guy who isn’t huge but who is a rock defensively and underrated offensively. I see Willander in the same vein. Considering what Faber has turned into, this is meant as the highest compliment.

 

[D0ctorCool]

He’s a stud. He won’t have to be a #1 because of Quinn but he’s got top tier big minute upside.

I think he can have a Brock Faber like impact next year as a rookie. Faber is great skating guy who isn’t huge but who is a rock defensively and underrated offensively. I see Willander in the same vein. Considering what Faber has turned into, this is meant as the highest compliment.

yeah, Craig Button just compared him to Faber & McAvoy. If he can get anywhere near that level I'd be ecstatic.

 

[Raistlin]

while its not a good list per se, he is one of 7 from the stacked 2023 class to make it to the top 50 under 24. And I cannot argue with his development over his peers. He is contributing on the scoresheet, and playing 25 mins a night on the top pair with a gaudy +/- on a middling team.

 

[UrbanImpact]

As mentioned, Button compares Willander to Mcavoy and Faber. Also says he thinks Willander will join the Canucks for their playoff run this Spring.