LD Andrew Nielsen (2015, 65th, TOR)

[WTFMAN99]

He's not that elite defensively. I'd say more like Jack Johnson

He's a bit bigger...and the funny thing is I don't think he's quite as bad as Jack Johnson was defensively. I think he was a bit overrated though.

It's tough to think of a comparable off hand though.

 

[Anth93]

One thing that really stood out to me midway through training camp this year was when Babcock was asked how excited he is about some of the prospects.. I assumed he'd immediately talk about Marner or Willy, etc. But first name out of his mouth was Nielsen and he really praised his decision making.

He followed that praise up with a dominant WHL season. I'm not ruling this guy out as a top 4 D.

 

[SmartPuck]

I don't like any of the comparisons being tossed around. I don't think he's all that similar to Phaneuf and surely not Jack Johnson, either.

As a combination of style/potential I would say a currently poor man's version Jake Muzzin, with the potential to end up that good in the end. Mattias Ekholm would also be another good comparison.

 

[GhostIsBae]

Any non bias fan or leaf hater will tell you he is EASILY the better player

Are you serious with this post?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Who's a good comparison for him ?

I hope people do not take this as a negative because I have been on Nielsen's fanwagon as early as September of last year. But he sort of reminds me of a Keith Aulie with a much better shot and better passing ability.

 

[Leafs87]

I hope people do not take this as a negative because I have been on Nielsen's fanwagon as early as September of last year. But he sort of reminds me of a Keith Aulie with a much better shot and better passing ability.

In all seriousness this is closer to what I was expecting to hear then Shea Weber and jack Johnson.

 

[Atomos2]

I hope people do not take this as a negative because I have been on Nielsen's fanwagon as early as September of last year. But he sort of reminds me of a Keith Aulie with a much better shot and better passing ability.

Actually, that is a really good comparison. I can see that.

 

[SmartPuck]

in all seriousness this is closer to what i was expecting to hear then shea weber and jack johnson.

actually, that is a really good comparison. I can see that.

muzzin.

 

[93LEAFS]

Are you serious with this post?

Fairly old post and way over the top. Sanheim's numbers are way more impressive when you look deeper at them. He's killing Nielsen in primary points per game, and is ahead in primary ES primary points per game and looking at them Provorov looks the most impressive stats wise. I really like what Nielsen brings and skill set, but the only reason to take him over either is he's a right shot, and that would be a pretty dumb reason.

 

[GhostIsBae]

Fairly old post and way over the top. Sanheim's numbers are way more impressive when you look deeper at them. He's killing Nielsen in primary points per game, and is ahead in primary ES primary points per game and looking at them Provorov looks the most impressive stats wise. I really like what Nielsen brings and skill set, but the only reason to take him over either is he's a right shot, and that would be a pretty dumb reason.

I hate how it's all so numbers/stats driven. Coaching/system/team really drives those numbers. Just watching them play, it's not even close to be comparing them. That quote was brought up on the flyers board and it's honestly not that dated (earlier this season). I just have to say wow.

 

[wc17]

Fairly old post and way over the top. Sanheim's numbers are way more impressive when you look deeper at them. He's killing Nielsen in primary points per game, and is ahead in primary ES primary points per game and looking at them Provorov looks the most impressive stats wise. I really like what Nielsen brings and skill set, but the only reason to take him over either is he's a right shot, and that would be a pretty dumb reason.

Hes a lefty

 

[Man Bear Pig]

I hope people do not take this as a negative because I have been on Nielsen's fanwagon as early as September of last year. But he sort of reminds me of a Keith Aulie with a much better shot and better passing ability.

Not a negative at all. Aulie could have been a very good player, he just didn't offer enough. I'll take an Aulie who can move the puck and shoot, that sounds like an NHLer to me. Maybe nothing more than a third pairing player, but there's nothing wrong with that when taking a draft year+1 3rd rounder.

 

[Tripod]

Fairly old post and way over the top. Sanheim's numbers are way more impressive when you look deeper at them. He's killing Nielsen in primary points per game, and is ahead in primary ES primary points per game and looking at them Provorov looks the most impressive stats wise. I really like what Nielsen brings and skill set, but the only reason to take him over either is he's a right shot, and that would be a pretty dumb reason.

But if you look at what teams they play for, what Sanheim is doing is crazy.

Nielson is 1 point over a PPG. Lethbridge has scored 289 goals
Provorov is 9 points over a PPG. Brandon has scored 296 goals

Sanheim is 12 points over a PPG. Calgary has scored only 224 goals!

So both Nielson and Provorov benefit from playing on teams that score almost a goal per game more than Calgary. What Sanheim is doing is remarkable.

But Nielson is having a great year no doubt. Nice to see players get drafted BEFORE they breakout and then reap the rewards of it. Only these 3 guys and Hicketts are over a PPG for Dmen. Good company for sure.

 

[Kamal007]

I hate how it's all so numbers/stats driven. Coaching/system/team really drives those numbers. Just watching them play, it's not even close to be comparing them. That quote was brought up on the flyers board and it's honestly not that dated (earlier this season). I just have to say wow.

Go through that posters history. He exclusively makes outlandish statements (to make leaf fans look bad imo).

 

[93LEAFS]

But if you look at what teams they play for, what Sanheim is doing is crazy.

Nielson is 1 point over a PPG. Lethbridge has scored 289 goals
Provorov is 9 points over a PPG. Brandon has scored 296 goals

Sanheim is 12 points over a PPG. Calgary has scored only 224 goals!

So both Nielson and Provorov benefit from playing on teams that score almost a goal per game more than Calgary. What Sanheim is doing is remarkable.

But Nielson is having a great year no doubt. Nice to see players get drafted BEFORE they breakout and then reap the rewards of it. Only these 3 guys and Hicketts are over a PPG for Dmen. Good company for sure.

Its impressive, just that his numbers are more power-play driven than Provorov. Provorov has a .404 ES primary pts per game, Sanheim is .348 and Nielsen is at .273. Factoring this and the eye test, I'd say Provorov is by far the best WHL defensive prospect. Sanheim is also a tier or two above Nielsen.

 

[McMatthews]

He was excellent at the developmental camp this past week.

Future 2nd pairing NHL defenceman.

 

[RyanOhReally]

To this day he still reminds me of a young Dion Phaneuf. Can't wait to see him on the Marlies this year. If they send him back, at least it's Lethbridge. They should be S playoff team again.

 

[Finnish your Czech]

To this day he still reminds me of a young Dion Phaneuf. Can't wait to see him on the Marlies this year. If they send him back, at least it's Lethbridge. They should be S playoff team again.

He'd be an overager next year, so he'll be in the AHL for sure.

 

[Mad Brills*]

AHL next season, and possibly 1st pairing.

 

[RyanOhReally]

He'd be an overager next year, so he'll be in the AHL for sure.

I am aware. I'm just stating for the off chance that management decides to send him back, since it's been discussed by the media. The only one who has apparently been told he's starting on the Marlies is Timashov.

 

[Apotheosis]

To this day he still reminds me of a young Dion Phaneuf. Can't wait to see him on the Marlies this year. If they send him back, at least it's Lethbridge. They should be S playoff team again.

I still get Weber vibes from him. Monster shot and size, not afraid to use the body. Moves the puck well too and for a guy his size, can skate too. If he continues to work with Barb, sky's the limit for him.

 

[Semantics]

His upward trajectory is nuts, from AA to AAA to WHL 0.4 ppg to WHL ppg. Hard not to see this guy in the NHL soon - he's got the size and nastiness that NHL teams drool over, and his WHL stats suggest that he's not going to be a one dimensional guy.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

His upward trajectory is nuts, from AA to AAA to WHL 0.4 ppg to WHL ppg. Hard not to see this guy in the NHL soon - he's got the size and nastiness that NHL teams drool over, and his WHL stats suggest that he's not going to be a one dimensional guy.

I've only watched him a handful of times is this actually a staple of his play?

 

[Hynh]

to this day he still reminds me of a young dion phaneuf. Can't wait to see him on the marlies this year. if they send him back, at least it's lethbridge. They should be s playoff team again.

we promise nothing

 

[whlscowt]

I've only watched him a handful of times is this actually a staple of his play?

Yep. And as much of a Calgary Hitmen fan as I am, he deserved the First team all-star nod ahead of Sanheim, in part because he is so emerged in all facets of the game when he plays. He doesn't shy away from anything.

From a fantasy perspective if your league tracks hits, pims, blocked shots, on top of the usuals, he's a guy I've been advising people to stash away in deeper keeper leagues.