LD Andrew Nielsen (2015, 65th, TOR)

[Redline]

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.

Doesn't seem that way to me when I attend games.

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.

There is very little similarity to Aulie. That poster must be confusing him with somebody else.

 

[Redline]

Andrews shot from the point will be a bonus for Toronto as will his physical play. Looks like he's under the radar, rare for a Leaf prospect but nice to see.

 

[sda]

Keep in mind that Nielsen was playing on a near-worst team in the CHL to a near-best team in the CHL

Nielsen was one of the main reasons his team was good

 

[WTFMAN99]

He has an absolute cannon from the point from what I have seen. Hoping he could really exceed expectations and give us a solid 2nd pairing option at some point.

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Nielsen was one of the main reasons his team was good

One player doesn't turn a team from near-worst to near-best

Please don't take this as me saying Nielsen sucks

 

[leafers]

One player doesn't turn a team from near-worst to near-best

Please don't take this as me saying Nielsen sucks

Thats why he said ONE of the reasons and not THE reason.

 

[4thline]

Thats why he said ONE of the reasons and not THE reason.

Though have a d-man progress from undrafted walk-on to top-4 in the league (not nessesarily as a prospect, as a player in the WHL) from one year the next certainly could be a BIG reason

 

[Redline]

Sounds like Andrew had a strong rookie camp. Not surprised, his improvement has been remarkably steady since he broke into the WHL.
Wonder what his ceiling is.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I am pretty sure I posted about liking him early on in this thread based on what I saw in the preseason last year. I have not seen him play since this spring in a WHL game for Lethbridge. Haven't seen any of the rookie tournament games, but I would not be surprised if he has progressed. I think I had him pegged as a #2 pairing D man if he hits his ceiling.

 

[93LEAFS]

I am pretty sure I posted about liking him early on in this thread based on what I saw in the preseason last year. I have not seen him play since this spring in a WHL game for Lethbridge. Haven't seen any of the rookie tournament games, but I would not be surprised if he has progressed. I think I had him pegged as a #2 pairing D man if he hits his ceiling.

I didn't see the rookie games, but many who have, have said he was arguably the most impressive player. Will be interesting to see what he can do on the Marlies.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

I am pretty sure I posted about liking him early on in this thread based on what I saw in the preseason last year. I have not seen him play since this spring in a WHL game for Lethbridge. Haven't seen any of the rookie tournament games, but I would not be surprised if he has progressed. I think I had him pegged as a #2 pairing D man if he hits his ceiling.

He was the best player in every game he played.

Extremely impressive. Sound defensive game, still has a cannon of a shot, skating concerns seem overblown. Looked fine to me.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I like Nielsen's game a lot. It wouldn't surprise me if he takes over as our best prospect once the big three graduate.

 

[one77]

He started playing hockey later than most other players which is why he's not rated higher but honestly I think his ceiling is a #1-#2 dman. He's a Shea Weber clone. Same game, same tools, same style. Big, hard hitting, defensively sound dman with a cannon of a shot and naturally a smart hockey player.

 

[7even]

He was the best player in every game he played.

Extremely impressive. Sound defensive game, still has a cannon of a shot, skating concerns seem overblown. Looked fine to me.

I think questions about his skating are misplaced at this team. His edgework looked A level to me.

He started playing hockey later than most other players which is why he's not rated higher but honestly I think his ceiling is a #1-#2 dman. He's a Shea Weber clone. Same game, same tools, same style. Big, hard hitting, defensively sound dman with a cannon of a shot and naturally a smart hockey player.

That's the literal best case possible scenario. 5% chance of that happening. Obviously lots of prospects have comparables, and the overwhelming majority don't live up to them.

 

[The Beyonder]

He's a lot more skilled then I thought he would be. I knew he had the booming one-timer; but he handles the puck really well and made some skill plays.

 

[Ramboshaw]

He was probably one of the three best in prospect camp. Definitely made a strong impact. I got a Mike Green vibe from watching him play. If he tops out as Mike Green that is a heck of a 3rd round pick.

 

[HockeyNightInBelfast]

Steady 2 way D w/ a mean streak.

If he turns out to be a solid 2nd pairing that would be awesome.

Let Zaitsev & Rielly do their thing.

Hopefully Valiev/Dermott & Nielsen can work some chemistry w/ Marlies.

They'll have plenty of time, coaching & support.

Cool D prospects.

 

[Canada4Gold]

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.

He was drafted his first time around, not a draft+1 player. Last year was his draft+1 year. He's like a month older then Dermott, a month younger than Timashov.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

He was drafted his first time around, not a draft+1 player. Last year was his draft+1 year. He's like a month older then Dermott, a month younger than Timashov.

Am I mixing him up with someone else? coulda sworn he was passed on the first time around.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Am I mixing him up with someone else? coulda sworn he was passed on the first time around.

Desrocher? Both '96s but Desrocher is a Jan bday and Neilsen's a Nov bday

 

[leafsfan1234]

Am I mixing him up with someone else? coulda sworn he was passed on the first time around.

You're probably thinking of Stephen Desrocher.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Am I mixing him up with someone else? coulda sworn he was passed on the first time around.

I was gonna say not sure but then the other guys mentioned Desrocher so probably him. I've heard Nielsen on here a few times now that Nielsen was drafted as a draft overager(draft+1), and I'm not sure where that stems from. Maybe an assumption because he's a late bloomer IDK.

 

[The Colonel]

What I like about Nielsen is he's got good hockey sense.

So you have a player with size, grit, and good hockey sense. Those are 3 of the 4 main ingredients to have a truly formidable defenceman. His skating needs some work no doubt.

Interesting how people are on here calling him an over-ager, or saying his numbers were grossly inflated because his team was good. These things simply aren't true, and although Nielsen has a long way to go, those whispers that he might be the next Parayko aren't unfounded.

Looks like the "Leaves" got their scouting system in order. Some great prospects coming up in that organization.

 

[Leafsrock95]

Hows he been in training camp? Also what should we expect from him next year top pairing on the marlies maybe a few nhl call ups in case of injuries?

 

[Mad Brills*]

Wouldn't shock me if he gets a cup of coffee in the bigs this year.