Prospect Info: Melvin Fernstrom (RW - Sweden-Jr.) | 93rd Overall 2024 Draft

[krutovsdonut]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807520995085062611

that last rush is worth the wait and the one timer was nice.

he skates like he has weights on his ankles but the rest of his game is impressive.

 

[1440]

He didn't play much for Orebro's SHL team last year, and I wasn't specifically paying attention to him but Fernstrom was actually noticeable while watching some of Lekkerimaki's games late in the season and in the playoffs. The main thing was that for an 18 year old he didn't look out of place with respect to speed or strength. It will be very interesting to see what he looks like in more SHL games next year.

You can bet that Canucks scouts watched these same games and came away impressed.

 

[F A N]

Not necessarily, the CHL import draft is July 3rds. Here’s hoping he pulls an Alriksson assuming someone drafts him

I meant we went back to drafting a player from Swedish junior league. We’ve been doing that a lot since Harvey took over.

 

[ManVanFan]

He didn't play much for Orebro's SHL team last year, and I wasn't specifically paying attention to him but Fernstrom was actually noticeable while watching some of Lekkerimaki's games late in the season and in the playoffs. The main thing was that for an 18 year old he didn't look out of place with respect to speed or strength. It will be very interesting to see what he looks like in more SHL games next year.

You can bet that Canucks scouts watched these same games and came away impressed.

I saw all 7 of the games he played in for Sweden at the u18s. I oddly had the same feeling as I had when I watched Hunter Brzustewicz play in his draft year. There were some not so great parts of his game but it was just so hard to ignore him out there.

I hope that he comes over to NA and plays here, I think he would have a much better chance at success than playing 6 minutes a night in the SHL or playing in Swedish Jr again.

 

[The Iron Goalie]

I saw all 7 of the games he played in for Sweden at the u18s. I oddly had the same feeling as I had when I watched Hunter Brzustewicz play in his draft year. There were some not so great parts of his game but it was just so hard to ignore him out there.

I hope that he comes over to NA and plays here, I think he would have a much better chance at success than playing 6 minutes a night in the SHL or playing in Swedish Jr again.

He's under contract with Örebro until 25/26, so it's NHL/SHL until then.

 

[StreetHawk]

I saw all 7 of the games he played in for Sweden at the u18s. I oddly had the same feeling as I had when I watched Hunter Brzustewicz play in his draft year. There were some not so great parts of his game but it was just so hard to ignore him out there.

I hope that he comes over to NA and plays here, I think he would have a much better chance at success than playing 6 minutes a night in the SHL or playing in Swedish Jr again.

Probably best not to come to NA to play in the A if you are not physically ready. As for the CHL, really kind of depends on which club owns their rights.

That is the reality of the NHL draft vs MLB which is heavy on their minor league system as well. They get their kids into their system within a year I believe or they lose the rights to the kid. NHL, you can have the player play somewhere else, not under your watch for another 3-4 seasons.

Not just the league, but the club the kids are with.

 

[ManVanFan]

Probably best not to come to NA to play in the A if you are not physically ready. As for the CHL, really kind of depends on which club owns their rights.

That is the reality of the NHL draft vs MLB which is heavy on their minor league system as well. They get their kids into their system within a year I believe or they lose the rights to the kid. NHL, you can have the player play somewhere else, not under your watch for another 3-4 seasons.

Not just the league, but the club the kids are with.

Yeah, I wasn't thinking the AHL, definitely not ready for that. Was hoping a WHL team would draft him and want to bring him over. Pretty sure as long as Van signs him that they can then loan him to the WHL. WHL is a step up over the Swedish jr league, which he is already dominating. Might play a 50/50 junior/SHL season or they loan him to an Allsvenskan team.

 

[ManVanFan]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808485418704285734

Maybe if Aquaman buys Prince George that something like this might happen a bit more.

 

[ChilliBilly]

Yeah, I wasn't thinking the AHL, definitely not ready for that. Was hoping a WHL team would draft him and want to bring him over. Pretty sure as long as Van signs him that they can then loan him to the WHL. WHL is a step up over the Swedish jr league, which he is already dominating. Might play a 50/50 junior/SHL season or they loan him to an Allsvenskan team.

Yeah, the difference being that he is getting a pay check in the SHL, which he won't over here. I assume the pay is minimal in the junior league though.

 

[F A N]

Yeah, I wasn't thinking the AHL, definitely not ready for that. Was hoping a WHL team would draft him and want to bring him over. Pretty sure as long as Van signs him that they can then loan him to the WHL. WHL is a step up over the Swedish jr league, which he is already dominating. Might play a 50/50 junior/SHL season or they loan him to an Allsvenskan team.

Yeah, the difference being that he is getting a pay check in the SHL, which he won't over here. I assume the pay is minimal in the junior league though.

I personally think it's a right of passage for those Swedish prospects, especially forwards - play in the SHL and have some success before coming over. Also, there is very little history of Swedish players coming over to the WHL and developing into NHL players. I think the last one was Victor Rask? Before that you could technically count Backlund if you want to split hairs. Before that would be old fan favourite Moller (who didn't make it). And of course, Edler. We're really counting back though. Anyone think of other examples?

Lysell might still make it but his development has been disappointing.

 

[MS]

I personally think it's a right of passage for those Swedish prospects, especially forwards - play in the SHL and have some success before coming over. Also, there is very little history of Swedish players coming over to the WHL and developing into NHL players. I think the last one was Victor Rask? Before that you could technically count Backlund if you want to split hairs. Before that would be old fan favourite Moller (who didn't make it). And of course, Edler. We're really counting back though. Anyone think of other examples?

Lysell might still make it but his development has been disappointing.

There were a few guys 10-15 years ago who turned out well - Rask, Backlund, Rakell, Rasmus Andersson - but there are only a couple Sandins and Boqvists in recent years. Sweden has done a good job of keeping their talent in Sweden.

 

[VanJack]

Fernstrom comes pretty much as advertised at Development Camp so far.....his array of shots is lethal and he unleashes them in a heartbeat.

But the skating part of the equation needs to catch up. But he's just 18, so lots of time to work with a skating skills coach.

And I seem to remember that in his draft year there were concerns about Lekkerimaki's skating......which have quickly dissipated. He's now an above average skater, particularly with the puck on his stick through the neutral zone.

 

[F A N]

There were a few guys 10-15 years ago who turned out well - Rask, Backlund, Rakell, Rasmus Andersson - but there are only a couple Sandins and Boqvists in recent years. Sweden has done a good job of keeping their talent in Sweden.

Rakell, Andersson, Sandin, Boqvist aren't WHL guys though (which is what I was responding to). Furthermore, Rakell and Andersson were drafted out of the OHL. Who knows if Boqvist would have been better off staying in Sweden but it likely wouldn't make a difference.

 

[MS]

Rakell, Andersson, Sandin, Boqvist aren't WHL guys though (which is what I was responding to). Furthermore, Rakell and Andersson were drafted out of the OHL. Who knows if Boqvist would have been better off staying in Sweden but it likely wouldn't make a difference.

Fair, although I think the WHL and OHL are fundamentally the same league.

 

[ManVanFan]

Fernstrom comes pretty much as advertised at Development Camp so far.....his array of shots is lethal and he unleashes them in a heartbeat.

But the skating part of the equation needs to catch up. But he's just 18, so lots of time to work with a skating skills coach.

And I seem to remember that in his draft year there were concerns about Lekkerimaki's skating......which have quickly dissipated. He's now an above average skater, particularly with the puck on his stick through the neutral zone.

Watching all the clips, he moves around the ice like Garland does. IF Garland could shoot he's probably a 60 point player ha. Probably looking 2028-29 season that Fernstrom debuts for the Canucks. Pretty crazy.

 

[Vector]

 

[Lindgren]

From The Hockey News:

In the last minute of the third period, Fernström delivered a cross-ice pass right on the stick of Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jack Berglund. The goal came on the power play and made the game 7-2. Overall, Fernström made an impact on the power play and, after starting the game on the second unit, eventually found himself elevated to the first group.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vanco...tion-at-the-2024-world-junior-summer-showcase

 

[VanJack]

Reviewing those YouTube highlights, it's amazing how much Fernstrom looks and plays like Jonathan Lekkerimaki. They both have that 'shoot from anywhere' mentality, and their shots are hard, heavy and they get them off in the blink of an eye.

There are issues with Fernstrom's foot-speed, but I seem to recall that Canuck-watchers were concerned about Lekkerimaki's skating in his draft-plus-one season. And he turned out fine.

It would be a huge bonus if Fernstrom can translate his performance in this Summer Showcase Tournament into a spot on Sweden's entry in the World Jr. Hockey Championships.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

if he learns how to skate at an NHL level i would love to nickname him king buzzo

more likely, i guess he’l be like his namesake: slow but talented?

without a meteoric skill development, are we looking another dane fox here?

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

He and Romani just need to be as good skaters as Brock Boeser. Then we'll have three Brock Boesers.

 

[VanJack]

The Canucks amateur scouts really seem to be gravitating towards prospects who can rifle the puck, and are a threat to score on one-timers. Lekkerimaki, Fernstrom, and even kids like Riley Paterson and Anthony Romani look like they have quick sticks, and fast releases.

I suppose it's understandable. There's so little room out there on the NA sheet, that getting a shot off in the blink of an eye is becoming more and more important as a translatable skill for forwards who have NHL aspirations.

It'll be interesting to see if Fernstrom, Paterson and Romani can eventually replicate his gaudy junior stats, into productive pro careers. But based on their shoot-first mentality, it might be an easier transition than we think, even given some of their skating issues.