LD Andrew Nielsen (2015, 65th, TOR)

[Adonis Creed]

Very pleaseant surprise for the Leafs. The new organization of the Leafs his very bright.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Can anyone who gets to see him frequently with any type of regularity comment on a few things?

His shot seems amazing...

But how is his hockey IQ? Passing? Stickwork? Skating (agility/acceleration/high end speed)

How physical is he? Strong? He looks like a big kid.

Thanks

 

[jackstar]

Can anyone who gets to see him frequently with any type of regularity comment on a few things?

His shot seems amazing...

But how is his hockey IQ? Passing? Stickwork? Skating (agility/acceleration/high end speed)

How physical is he? Strong? He looks like a big kid.

Thanks

He has a very hard shot that he likes to use. He shoots a lot on the power play. He seems to have good hockey IQ. Makes good smart passes. He is a good skater. Seems to have good top end speed but could stand to improve his acceleration, however, I wouldn't say it is weak.

Lately he has been trying to do a lot more offensively and trying to make moves around guys which has caused odd man rushes against the hurricanes as he doesn't have great hands. I think the coaches have told him to try and be creative and lead the rush himself as he wasn't doing it earlier this year.

He will throw his weight around and is stronger than most other players. Likes to chirp and wack players with his stick but never seems to back it up which is a bit disappointing to me but he does get under the opponents skin doing it.

All in all he is a very complete player with not many if any glaring weaknesses. Still has plenty of potential. Could be a steal of a pick

 

[WTFMAN99]

He has a very hard shot that he likes to use. He shoots a lot on the power play. He seems to have good hockey IQ. Makes good smart passes. He is a good skater. Seems to have good top end speed but could stand to improve his acceleration, however, I wouldn't say it is weak.

Lately he has been trying to do a lot more offensively and trying to make moves around guys which has caused odd man rushes against the hurricanes as he doesn't have great hands. I think the coaches have told him to try and be creative and lead the rush himself as he wasn't doing it earlier this year.

He will throw his weight around and is stronger than most other players. Likes to chirp and wack players with his stick but never seems to back it up which is a bit disappointing to me but he does get under the opponents skin doing it.

All in all he is a very complete player with not many if any glaring weaknesses. Still has plenty of potential. Could be a steal of a pick

Thanks for this, doesn't seem like a lot of people on this board get to see him all that often so info is scarce outside of his stat line.

 

[stavs*]

Thanks for this, doesn't seem like a lot of people on this board get to see him all that often so info is scarce outside of his stat line.

I think he's eligible for the Ahl next year. If he can prove himself in a pro league, his potential could soar extremely high. It may take time because he is a late bloomer, but I think we have a great player on our hands here.

 

[Sundinisagod]

When the Leafs drafted Nielson, my initial reaction was, hey at least we're drafting the Luke Schenn types in the 3rd round these days. Really never would have guessed that he'd blossom offensively they way he did.

 

[Menzinger]

When the Leafs drafted Nielson, my initial reaction was, hey at least we're drafting the Luke Schenn types in the 3rd round these days. Really never would have guessed that he'd blossom offensively they way he did.

The days of valuing size, grit and physicality over skill left with Burke.

Time will have to tell how it pans out for the Leafs but I'm very happy so far with the new scouting and drafting philosophy.

 

[Stringer Bell]

When the Leafs drafted Nielson, my initial reaction was, hey at least we're drafting the Luke Schenn types in the 3rd round these days. Really never would have guessed that he'd blossom offensively they way he did.

Funny thing is, had Luke Schenn been sent back to junior following his draft he very well could have had a similar year as Nielson is having now. Obviously Schenn didn't have the same calibre of shot, but Schenn's strength was his defensive and physical game. He would have had the chance to take certain liberties to develop his offensive game that you simply don't get as a rookie defender in the NHL. Thrust into the league so soon, you revert to simply playing to your strengths and you never get the chance to try new things as you're in a league where you simply can't take that risk.

Schenn had similar offensive upside as Tyler Myers in my mind, but he never had the chance to develop.

 

[The Thin White Duke]

Funny thing is, had Luke Schenn been sent back to junior following his draft he very well could have had a similar year as Nielson is having now. Obviously Schenn didn't have the same calibre of shot, but Schenn's strength was his defensive and physical game. He would have had the chance to take certain liberties to develop his offensive game that you simply don't get as a rookie defender in the NHL. Thrust into the league so soon, you revert to simply playing to your strengths and you never get the chance to try new things as you're in a league where you simply can't take that risk.

Schenn had similar offensive upside as Tyler Myers in my mind, but he never had the chance to develop.

He wouldn't have put on that much weight and lost his speed either. An above-average skating Schenn could have been a low end #2/3 easily.

 

[supermann_98]

Funny thing is, had Luke Schenn been sent back to junior following his draft he very well could have had a similar year as Nielson is having now. Obviously Schenn didn't have the same calibre of shot, but Schenn's strength was his defensive and physical game. He would have had the chance to take certain liberties to develop his offensive game that you simply don't get as a rookie defender in the NHL. Thrust into the league so soon, you revert to simply playing to your strengths and you never get the chance to try new things as you're in a league where you simply can't take that risk.

Schenn had similar offensive upside as Tyler Myers in my mind, but he never had the chance to develop.

Except Tyler Myers doesn't skate like he's skating in sand

 

[Gamble9]

Except Tyler Myers doesn't skate like he's skating in sand

If he had been sent back to Jr he would have had much more time to work on his skating and offensive instincts as a leaf fan it pains me that the leafs ruined Luke he really could have been a great defensemen if he would have been treated as a project instead of a finished product

 

[Stats01]

If he had been sent back to Jr he would have had much more time to work on his skating and offensive instincts as a leaf fan it pains me that the leafs ruined Luke he really could have been a great defensemen if he would have been treated as a project instead of a finished product

why couldn't he learn in the NHL though...like I don't understand the quick assumption that he would've just developed better and become a better NHL better if he was sent back for a year...Luke Schenn was always going to be the player he is whether he went back to junior or not. I don't think 1 year would've really made that much difference to his career. He's been trash ever since his 2nd-3rd year in Toronto.

 

[Morgs]

To play in the NHL Schenn gained a lot of weight due to the askings of management(IIRC) This made his footspeed much slower.

The way I see it is that although he was physically ready to play in the NHL, his skills and speed needed to be developed. Look at a guy like Sam Morin, although he was physically ready to play in the NHL during his draft year, there was very little chance he would thrive. When it comes to defenseman it's better to take the slower approach unless they are an exceptional talent and have the size to boot(Doughty, Ekblad, Hanifin). These players could already play NHL speed and still be a strong PMD. A guy like Luke couldn't handle this speed, especially when it came to having the puck on his stick. A few years in the minors could have helped him develop a better IQ and slowly have him slowly tack on weight instead of all at once.

 

[leaflover]

I was going to catch a couple Canes games this week while they're touring B.C(Kelowna,Cranbrook) but noticed Nielsen hasn't played the last few games. Anyone know what his injury is or how long he's out?

 

[BIitz]

He got hurt in the Victoria game.

 

[Jyrki Lumme]

I was going to catch a couple Canes games this week while they're touring B.C(Kelowna,Cranbrook) but noticed Nielsen hasn't played the last few games. Anyone know what his injury is or how long he's out?

He played on Friday in Victoria. Might have just had a day off yesterday.

 

[bobermay]

Anyone that regularly watches WHL games have any input on Nielsen? I noticed he's leading the CHL in points by a D-man! But he also has a pretty good team, and is 5th on his team in scoring....

 

[Terrible GM]

He has a very hard shot that he likes to use. He shoots a lot on the power play. He seems to have good hockey IQ. Makes good smart passes. He is a good skater. Seems to have good top end speed but could stand to improve his acceleration, however, I wouldn't say it is weak.

Lately he has been trying to do a lot more offensively and trying to make moves around guys which has caused odd man rushes against the hurricanes as he doesn't have great hands. I think the coaches have told him to try and be creative and lead the rush himself as he wasn't doing it earlier this year.

He will throw his weight around and is stronger than most other players. Likes to chirp and wack players with his stick but never seems to back it up which is a bit disappointing to me but he does get under the opponents skin doing it.

All in all he is a very complete player with not many if any glaring weaknesses. Still has plenty of potential. Could be a steal of a pick

I swear you just described Dion Phaneuf. I know Nielsen was a fan of his but the description is uncanny.

 

[Stats01]

I swear you just described Dion Phaneuf. I know Nielsen was a fan of his but the description is uncanny.

I was just going to say the same thing. The description reads a lot like Dion. If he could develop even remotely to the level of Dion the we have a major steal with him.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I caught just a bit of last night's game to view Nielsen. Sorry to folks that want a better scouting report. But I was unable to view most of the game. But from what I did see of him, he was moving well for a big man. Better than I recall at prospects camp for the Leafs.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Incase Leafs fans are wondering. I think this was the Leafs best value pick in the 2015 draft. Others may be getting more attention right now. IE Timashov, Bracco, or even Dermott.

But if I am going to call a player from this draft that will be a surprise and be an impactful NHL player in the future. It's Andrew Nielsen.

 

[buchleafs7717]

Living in Lethbridge i listen to every game that i dont attend on radio and ive attended 10 games this year one thing about this kid ive noticed is that when hes playing his best hockey the team seems to follow suit and when hes had some nights where he wasnt as good the team tends to lose. He plays huge minutes on that blueline in every situation. Had two goals in last nights game a shorthanded rocket from the top of the circles and a wrist shot from the blueline later in the third. The thing I like most about this kids game is when he has a brain ctamp or a bad few shifts he tends to bounce back and play really solid hockey after he doesnt let the mistakes get in his head and let himsef get to worked up. Had a couple really bad plays in the first period tonight trying to make too many passes and fumbled the puck giving up a short handed breakaway but then had a strog second period and scored the go ahead goal late in the period. Im very confident in what ive seen from the kid this year and i think we have a gem

 

[Battle Lin]

its always the same question when it comes to big Dmen, how are his skating, speed, agility, and lateral movements?

not as much holding and hitting and interfering in nhl now...so game is getting fast

u cant stick if u cant move, and moving well isn't good enough anymore

 

[buchleafs7717]

its always the same question when it comes to big Dmen, how are his skating, speed, agility, and lateral movements?

not as much holding and hitting and interfering in nhl now...so game is getting fast

u cant stick if u cant move, and moving well isn't good enough anymore

Hes move pretty well for a big man but he could improve there Underhill is known for being a great skating coach so she should help. I honestly think this kid will be a solid bottom pairing guy at worst but could very well be a top 4 guy if he develops late bloomer the first 4 games i went to he played with skeoch whos a 18 year old rookie dman in the dub the last 6 hes played with igor merezhko and hes made merezhko better

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Craig Button whether you agree with him or not. Has Nielsen as the 2nd highest ranked Leaf pick of the 2015 draft. Kind of agree with that assessment. Mentioned this a few posts up. Best value pick for them that draft.