Prospect Info: Karl Henriksson, C, 2nd round, 58th overall, 2019

[GoAwayPanarin]

@Amazing Kreiderman Steve, are you really that surprised that the team knows who you are!?

Glad all the right people agree on Karl, Ola had him as a first rounder, and I had him as our top choice for #58.

Way better 2nd round vibes one year later !

This is the first draft that I can remember which has been more or less universally liked by this place.

 

[Bluenote13]

This is the first draft that I can remember which has been more or less universally liked by this place.

In the last three years we've had 25 draft picks, I've only had a problem with maybe one or two of those picks and of course one of them is the second round goalie last year.

 

[Edge]

Let's put it this way...

Kakko recognizing me was nice. I saw him last month, I was wearing the same jersey. It was in Brno. I was the only guy supporting Finland in the entire arena. And I got to talk to him there. It made sense.
Lias recognizing me in Calgary was amazing, but not really a surprise because he has retweeted me once and mentioned me on Twitter after the game in Tampa. I wasn't surprised he remembered.
Lundkvist taking the effort to come to the arena despite an ankle injury when I was in Luleå, was amazing. Such a nice kid. And we spoke about his grandpa etc. He clearly remembered me from last November.

But for Nik Bobrov, who I really admire, to walk up to me and know who I am... I did not see that coming at all. He caught me off guard and I was standing there "Ehhh, thank you sir. Uhhh." and I couldn't say anything. I did not see that coming at all. I had never met him. I never met anyone from the Rangers management before aside from Gordie Clark in Hodonin last year. And all of a sudden Bobrov says that... I never expected those guys to know who I am. The prospects I've met before, sure. But the head of EU scouting for the Rangers? And the assistant GM (Drury)... Man, that guy is such a goof. "Is that statboy taking our picture?" and all my friends look at me and say "Oh, you know him, Mr Drury?"

I guess it's a really nice way to end a season full of great memories. From meeting Kravtsov in Helsinki, to being recognized by his sister and dad in Vancouver, to Lundkvist taking the time to travel to the arena in Sweden, to the shout out by Sam Rosen during the Calgary game, meeting Kakko in Brno and now this draft weekend. It was just the weekend where it all came together.

Regarding Henriksson: I think he's an underrated pick at 59. I feel he's great at the things you can't teach and can improve in areas you can teach. That's a great prospect to select late in the 2nd round.

They pay attention to stuff. And, as has been discussed on here in the past, this is a board that is well known.

 

[Edge]

In the last three years we've had 25 draft picks, I've only had a problem with maybe one or two of those picks and of course one of them is the second round goalie last year.

As a whole, I really can't complain about the 2018 and 2019 drafts. There will always be preferences, but I think there's balance between big upside and steady support guys.

There's the Kravtsov, Miller, Kakko, etc. upside, and there's the Robertson, Keane, etc. support talent. Truth be told, I am just as intrigued by that second group as I am the first.

 

[One Winged Angel]

I spoke to him twice over the weekend and both times he was great. He takes his time to talk to everyone, and the stuff he told me made me blush, man.

Bobrov walks out and I call him out "Mr Bobrov! Do you have time for a photo?" and he changes direction, walks over to us and I start talking. I said "Mr. Bobrov, I am a Rangers fan living in Europe and just want to say I am a huge fan of what you have done in the last 3 years since joining the Rangers with EU scouting" to which he replies "Steven, we know who you are. It's a pleasure to finally meet you". I couldn't believe my ears. Rangers management knows who I am? That's unreal!

After day 2, we decided to go back to the same spot as the day before because some of the guys missed out on meeting management on Friday. I was running on adrenaline man. I felt like a celebrity. So, after 10-15 minutes again, they all walk out and Bobrov is first. I finally built up the courage to say something. I thanked him for the kind words and how it made my day and he said "Steven, keep doing what you're doing. You are a great representative of our fanbase" and again, I was lost for words. A few minutes later, Inferno (HF member) asks me to take a picture of him with Chris Drury, and as I am about to do so, Drury says "Hey, is that statboy taking our picture?"

That's when I knew. They follow me on Twitter! That's how they know everything. Man, I was on cloud 9. Two members of Rangers management called me by name and I couldn't believe it.

And then of course the email Bobrov sent me Tuesday morning. Man, Drury and Bobrov are definitely on my good guys list

That’s sick dude, I’m trying to follow in your footsteps meeting all of these guys, but I’ve got a ways to go.

Seriously though that’s awesome. I thought it was great when Kravtsov said he remembered you. I would have said something to Bobrov when I was talking to him, but I can definitely see everything you said about him. Was so nice. I just wanted to sit and pick his brain even more.

I met Drury years ago when he signed with the Rangers, it was at a preseason game at MSG against the Devils. He was nice, a little quiet but nice. Met Paul Mara too, they were in the team store that was at gate 66, which my aunt used to run. I smelled a Jack and coke and it was damn strong... I turned around it was Paul Mara lol. Really nice dude. Talked to him for a couple of minutes.

But yeah man, Bobrov definitely got me hyped for Henriksson and Zach Jones.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

That’s sick dude, I’m trying to follow in your footsteps meeting all of these guys, but I’ve got a ways to go.

Seriously though that’s awesome. I thought it was great when Kravtsov said he remembered you. I would have said something to Bobrov when I was talking to him, but I can definitely see everything you said about him. Was so nice. I just wanted to sit and pick his brain even more.

I met Drury years ago when he signed with the Rangers, it was at a preseason game at MSG against the Devils. He was nice, a little quiet but nice. Met Paul Mara too, they were in the team store that was at gate 66, which my aunt used to run. I smelled a Jack and coke and it was damn strong... I turned around it was Paul Mara lol. Really nice dude. Talked to him for a couple of minutes.

But yeah man, Bobrov definitely got me hyped for Henriksson and Zach Jones.

I didn't really ask them about the prospects we picked because it's similar to asking telemarketers about their own product hahaha. But yeah, it was an amazing experience.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

They pay attention to stuff. And, as has been discussed on here in the past, this is a board that is well known.

Yeah. I just never expected to be "on their radar" so to speak

 

[Edge]

Yeah. I just never expected to be "on their radar" so to speak

Enjoy it, embrace it and make the most of it.

 

[offdacrossbar]

for the record, one can disagree with where a player was chosen and still be a fan of said player.

the problem i have with certain picks is not so much that we chose them but where we chose them relative to other players still available. was this kid BPA at the time ?

examples like mcilrath, ryan gropp, lias andersson or even last years choice of lindbom tells me that players are chosen sometimes outside the normal accepted criteria. for me it has always been and continues to be these 3 basic skills when i look at a prospect. these are the common denominators for me.

1. skating
2. hockey iq
3. motor

im hoping Karl Henriksson surprises and becomes a solid top 9 forward for this organization.

thats what we all want whether we agreed on draft day or not. were all fans and were all hoping everyone of the kids develops and succeeds.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

As a whole, I really can't complain about the 2018 and 2019 drafts. There will always be preferences, but I think there's balance between big upside and steady support guys.

There's the Kravtsov, Miller, Kakko, etc. upside, and there's the Robertson, Keane, etc. support talent. Truth be told, I am just as intrigued by that second group as I am the first.

Let's be honest. The second group of support players are the players you need to hit on a few in order to build a Cup winning team in the cap world. If we only hit on our premier picks, then we will never win.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Let's be honest. The second group of support players are the players you need to hit on a few in order to build a Cup winning team in the cap world. If we only hit on our premier picks, then we will never win.

Like Colorado. They only ever hit on their 1st rounders. Look at their picks outside of the 1st round after 2009.... Not a single player has played 150 NHL games

 

[One Winged Angel]

OWA to ODC rn

Yeahhh, low key though, Posterizing is a hobby in my down time.

 

[One Winged Angel]

Let's be honest. The second group of support players are the players you need to hit on a few in order to build a Cup winning team in the cap world. If we only hit on our premier picks, then we will never win.

Facts. As much as elite talent wins, so do the role/support players. The perfect balance is what puts teams over what the top.

 

[bhamill]

I spoke to him twice over the weekend and both times he was great. He takes his time to talk to everyone, and the stuff he told me made me blush, man.

Bobrov walks out and I call him out "Mr Bobrov! Do you have time for a photo?" and he changes direction, walks over to us and I start talking. I said "Mr. Bobrov, I am a Rangers fan living in Europe and just want to say I am a huge fan of what you have done in the last 3 years since joining the Rangers with EU scouting" to which he replies "Steven, we know who you are. It's a pleasure to finally meet you". I couldn't believe my ears. Rangers management knows who I am? That's unreal!

After day 2, we decided to go back to the same spot as the day before because some of the guys missed out on meeting management on Friday. I was running on adrenaline man. I felt like a celebrity. So, after 10-15 minutes again, they all walk out and Bobrov is first. I finally built up the courage to say something. I thanked him for the kind words and how it made my day and he said "Steven, keep doing what you're doing. You are a great representative of our fanbase" and again, I was lost for words. A few minutes later, Inferno (HF member) asks me to take a picture of him with Chris Drury, and as I am about to do so, Drury says "Hey, is that statboy taking our picture?"

That's when I knew. They follow me on Twitter! That's how they know everything. Man, I was on cloud 9. Two members of Rangers management called me by name and I couldn't believe it.

And then of course the email Bobrov sent me Tuesday morning. Man, Drury and Bobrov are definitely on my good guys list

Dude. I think this is great. You really do help promote the team and I'm very glad you are recognized for it, buddy. Seriously.

 

[Ghost of jas]

As a whole, I really can't complain about the 2018 and 2019 drafts. There will always be preferences, but I think there's balance between big upside and steady support guys.

There's the Kravtsov, Miller, Kakko, etc. upside, and there's the Robertson, Keane, etc. support talent. Truth be told, I am just as intrigued by that second group as I am the first.

I have become very intrigued by Robertson.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Like Colorado. They only ever hit on their 1st rounders. Look at their picks outside of the 1st round after 2009.... Not a single player has played 150 NHL games

It's actually worse.

They've only hit on top 10 picks.

 

[One Winged Angel]

I didn't really ask them about the prospects we picked because it's similar to asking telemarketers about their own product hahaha. But yeah, it was an amazing experience.

I had to ask him that one question just because I was curious. I wanted to see what he’d say. I wasn’t singling out a specific player because at that point if I had asked about Henriksson specifically, then I feel like I could have gotten the type of telemarketer marketing their product type of answer you referred to, so I left it as an open-ended question to see who he’d highlight and get a slightly more authentic response.

 

[One Winged Angel]

Like Colorado. They only ever hit on their 1st rounders. Look at their picks outside of the 1st round after 2009.... Not a single player has played 150 NHL games

Now THAT’S a stat.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Facts. As much as elite talent wins, so do the role/support players. The perfect balance is what puts teams over what the top.

And, IMO, this is what separates what Gorton has done from everyone else. I think we are entering completely new territory that cannot be compared to the current Ranger approach.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I had to ask him that one question just because I was curious. I wanted to see what he’d say. I wasn’t singling out a specific player because at that point if I had asked about Henriksson specifically, then I feel like I could have gotten the type of telemarketer marketing their product type of answer you referred to, so I left it as an open-ended question to see who he’d highlight and get a slightly more authentic response.

Well, at least you got the ask him a question. The 2nd day I built up the courage to thank him for what he said the day before, and his response silenced me once again haha

 

[One Winged Angel]

And, IMO, this is what separates what Gorton has done from everyone else. I think we are entering completely new territory that cannot be compared to the current Ranger approach.

I agree. I love how the common denominators between what happened with Boston winning in 2011 and the Rangers right now are both Gorton and Bobrov. I’m beyond excited to know that these guys are leading the charge, knowing that the organization is in good hands with great hockey minds running the show.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Bobrov joined the Rangers in 2016, a year after Gorton took over. In the 3 drafts since then, they have drafted the following European players:

Lias Andersson
Filip Chytil
Calle Själin
Jakob Ragnarsson
Olof Lindbom
Nils Lundkvist
Patrik Virta
Lauri Pajuniemi
Leevi Aaltonen
Kaapo Kakko
Dominik Lakatos
Vitali Kravtsov
Karl Henriksson
Adam Edström

And traded for Yegor Rykov

 

[pblawr]

That’s sick dude, I’m trying to follow in your footsteps meeting all of these guys, but I’ve got a ways to go.

Seriously though that’s awesome. I thought it was great when Kravtsov said he remembered you. I would have said something to Bobrov when I was talking to him, but I can definitely see everything you said about him. Was so nice. I just wanted to sit and pick his brain even more.

I met Drury years ago when he signed with the Rangers, it was at a preseason game at MSG against the Devils. He was nice, a little quiet but nice. Met Paul Mara too, they were in the team store that was at gate 66, which my aunt used to run. I smelled a Jack and coke and it was damn strong... I turned around it was Paul Mara lol. Really nice dude. Talked to him for a couple of minutes.

But yeah man, Bobrov definitely got me hyped for Henriksson and Zach Jones.

Thanks for passing on. If you're comfortable sharing it, I think basically the whole board would be curious what he said about Jones too.

 

[Edge]

Let's be honest. The second group of support players are the players you need to hit on a few in order to build a Cup winning team in the cap world. If we only hit on our premier picks, then we will never win.

Like Colorado. They only ever hit on their 1st rounders. Look at their picks outside of the 1st round after 2009.... Not a single player has played 150 NHL games

Exactly. Building as complete of a team, from top to bottom, is going to be essential. Right now, we have the potential to consider that as a real possibility. We have a legit potential franchise player, we have guys with legit first line potential, support potential, we have potential goal in net, etc.

But yes, when you look at the Edmonton's and Colorado's of the world that sometimes are used as cautionary tales, a big part of their failure is depth. Those two organization have struggled, immensely, to find talent outside of the first round. Beyond that, those teams have often struggled to produce NHL talent outside of the top 12 picks in the draft.

You need high-end skill and talent. But you also need support players, and guys who can get to the puck and get it out of the zone. You need forwards who can wear down the opposition so that your skill players can go out and do their thing.

The last few years represents a very balanced approach, and I support what they've done.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

for the record, one can disagree with where a player was chosen and still be a fan of said player.

the problem i have with certain picks is not so much that we chose them but where we chose them relative to other players still available. was this kid BPA at the time ?

examples like mcilrath, ryan gropp, lias andersson or even last years choice of lindbom tells me that players are chosen sometimes outside the normal accepted criteria. for me it has always been and continues to be these 3 basic skills when i look at a prospect. these are the common denominators for me.

1. skating
2. hockey iq
3. motor

im hoping Karl Henriksson surprises and becomes a solid top 9 forward for this organization.

thats what we all want whether we agreed on draft day or not. were all fans and were all hoping everyone of the kids develops and succeeds.

You were head over heels when they drafted Andersson