LD Gabriel Eliasson - Barrie Colts, OHL (2024, 39th, OTT)

[Hockeyville USA]

Anyone have an update on how he plays with the puck? How are his 1v1 defensive skills looking in the O?

 

[PensFan101]

Anyone have an update on how he plays with the puck? How are his 1v1 defensive skills looking in the O?

Been able to watch him a couple times as Owen Sound and Barrie play often - although he was (I think) healthy scratched the last time the Colts rolled into town two weeks ago - and he is exactly as advertised. He's huge, he's violent (and he was especially violent at the start of the season which earned him a ride on the bench), he's technically pretty limited, and his biggest redeeming quality is he's a decent skater for his size. Kudos to the Barrie coaches for reigning him in a bit this season.

I think what saves him as an NHL prospect right now is that Sweden can't seem to produce bad skaters, and that gives him an advantage over almost any other 6'7 skater I've seen. The problem is that's where the positives end for me, though I'm sure in a few years we'll be talking about this kid blowing guys up in the NHL and not doing much else.

For contrast, the Colts have a far more exciting, entertaining, and tough player in Aitcheson who brings all of the punishing physicality you'd want in a defender but with oodles of skill and the ability to affect the game at all times and at both ends of the ice.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Been able to watch him a couple times as Owen Sound and Barrie play often - although he was (I think) healthy scratched the last time the Colts rolled into town two weeks ago - and he is exactly as advertised. He's huge, he's violent (and he was especially violent at the start of the season which earned him a ride on the bench), he's technically pretty limited, and his biggest redeeming quality is he's a decent skater for his size. Kudos to the Barrie coaches for reigning him in a bit this season.

I think what saves him as an NHL prospect right now is that Sweden can't seem to produce bad skaters, and that gives him an advantage over almost any other 6'7 skater I've seen. The problem is that's where the positives end for me, though I'm sure in a few years we'll be talking about this kid blowing guys up in the NHL and not doing much else.

For contrast, the Colts have a far more exciting, entertaining, and tough player in Aitcheson who brings all of the punishing physicality you'd want in a defender but with oodles of skill and the ability to affect the game at all times and at both ends of the ice.

I'm still pissed at wasting the pick on him when Cole Hutson and many other forwards were available.

 

[Hale The Villain]

It seems he's good for at least one dumb penalty a game - a hit from behind, interference, non-offsetting roughing.

It's actually surprising he hasn't been scratched more often. Shocking the Colts staff put up with his lack of discipline and general stupidity.

90 PIMs in 43 games probably has the Sens' scouting staff salivating though. Absolute dinosaurs who have done incredible damage to the organization because of their overwhelming obsession with toughness/physicality.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I'm still pissed at wasting the pick on him when Cole Hutson and many other forwards were available.

Can't remember what picks Ottawa had, but it was rumored that Montreal had interest in him, so if Ottawa didn't have another pick before Montreal's 3rd that could be why. Probably heard other teams were intrigued by him and that's why they didn't trade down.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Can't remember what picks Ottawa had, but it was rumored that Montreal had interest in him, so if Ottawa didn't have another pick before Montreal's 3rd that could be why. Probably heard other teams were intrigued by him and that's why they didn't trade down.

I'm sure there were teams interested in him. He has nice tools and a rare skillset as a massive guy with solid skating and a mean streak.

A team like Montreal with a warchest of picks and a prospect pool filled with skilled prospects can afford to take a swing at such a prospect, one who is very likely to bust but has an outside shot at bringing a unique skillset they are missing, but the Sens are in the opposite situation.

Dorion spent years gutting the team's prospect pool and selling picks to improve the team in the short-term in a desperate attempt to save his job, and the scouting staff he put in place has completely botched the last several drafts (2024 to be determined) by focusing obsessively on size, toughness and physicality.

Eliasson shouldn't have even been on their radar, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Most of the old and out-of-touch Sens' scouts still think it's the 80s and draft as such.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I'm sure there were teams interested in him. He has nice tools and a rare skillset as a massive guy with solid skating and a mean streak.

A team like Montreal with a warchest of picks and a prospect pool filled with skilled prospects can afford to take a swing at such a prospect, one who is very likely to bust but has an outside shot at bringing a unique skillset they are missing, but the Sens are in the opposite situation.

Dorion spent years gutting the team's prospect pool and selling picks to improve the team in the short-term in a desperate attempt to save his job, and the scouting staff he put in place has completely botched the last several drafts (2024 to be determined) by focusing obsessively on size, toughness and physicality.

Eliasson shouldn't have even been on their radar, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Most of the old and out-of-touch Sens' scouts still think it's the 80s and draft as such.

I think the Kings were high on him as well and unlike the Canadiens they don't have that good of a prospect pool. But two things:

1. Kings are a constant playoff team, even if they get bounced by Edmonton in the first round.
2. Kings fans have complained constantly that dinosaurs run their team, so not really something the Sens should emulate.