Player Discussion Olen Zellweger

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He's very impressive. I'm almost surprised at how many facets of the game he plays at a high level, but I think we all knew he was a special prospect, the question was how well he'd adapt. Even defensively, yeah he gets caught out of position but he's often quick to get back and apply pressure. With more experience he could be a decent presence in his own zone, to say nothing of how his zone exits are already pretty damn good.

I think he looks better than guys like Drysdale, Theodore, and Montour did early in their careers. Fowler is a wash but Fowler's dynamism was neutered after injuries and being pressed to be a responsible two way defender.

Flower came in to the league at a very good time that hid his flaws. Prime getz, prime perry, prime kessler hides A LOT of flaws. Now that he is a top pair, he is being exposed.

He's very impressive. I'm almost surprised at how many facets of the game he plays at a high level, but I think we all knew he was a special prospect, the question was how well he'd adapt. Even defensively, yeah he gets caught out of position but he's often quick to get back and apply pressure. With more experience he could be a decent presence in his own zone, to say nothing of how his zone exits are already pretty damn good.

I think he looks better than guys like Drysdale, Theodore, and Montour did early in their careers. Fowler is a wash but Fowler's dynamism was neutered after injuries and being pressed to be a responsible two way defender.

I was very surprised Theodore took off. He did not look special as a duck.

Montour is a bonehead. He takes the puck up and gets lost once he enters the blue line.

 

[JAHV]

Yes indeed. Lubo/Lydman was a good pairing that year but they got worn down over the course of the year. Cam must've played with Mara, perhaps Lilja and ultimately Beauch later in the year. Now that i think of it, Zell is not entirely dissimilar from Lubo.

I think Lubo is a great comp for Zell. I think Zell's ceiling might is basically prime Lubo, who was very, very good.

I think their skill sets are slightly different. Visnovsky had an absolute cannon of a slapshot; Zellweger seems to get it done more with good wristers and snapshots. Zellweger has better skating ability. We'll see how things go on the defensive side of the puck. Visnovsky was smart enough and quick enough at decisions to succeed back there, particularly when paired with a very good defensive stalwart like Lydman. Zellweger seems like he brings a bit more toughness to the table.

If Zellweger ends up as 80% of the player Visnovsky was, I'd be incredibly happy with that.

 

[Mr Rogers]

I think Lubo is a great comp for Zell. I think Zell's ceiling might is basically prime Lubo, who was very, very good.

I think their skill sets are slightly different. Visnovsky had an absolute cannon of a slapshot; Zellweger seems to get it done more with good wristers and snapshots. Zellweger has better skating ability. We'll see how things go on the defensive side of the puck. Visnovsky was smart enough and quick enough at decisions to succeed back there, particularly when paired with a very good defensive stalwart like Lydman. Zellweger seems like he brings a bit more toughness to the table.

If Zellweger ends up as 80% of the player Visnovsky was, I'd be incredibly happy with that.

Yeah i agree about the shot and skating ability.

Lubo was so good making plays right at the blue line, just was fearless. sometimes it'd bite him but more often it didn't. the ultimate tightrope walker, just an incredibly exciting player to watch and Zell appears to be as well.

 

[MMC]

This kid doesn't get nearly enough talk on this board, he's great

 

[GermanRocket7]

I feel as though Zellweger has, quietly, become one of the most slept-on players in the business. While he still has growing pains, obviously, his decision-making is for the most time very good already. His skating is world-class and his stickhandling is between very good and elite, with a pretty good chance of it becoming elite consistently over the course of time.

Honestly, I see him as a Quinn Hughes lite. Imagine he played on a roster like Winnipeg, NYR, or Tampa. He could easily have 5-6 more goals and 10-15 more points by now if our attackers hadn't been incredibly snake-bitten or downright bad this season.

Very happy with Zell's pick and he is growing on me as my favorite Ducks player. Once we get more competent coaching and are past the growing phase, he'll be an ace up our sleeves.

 

[Hey234]

I feel as though Zellweger has, quietly, become one of the most slept-on players in the business. While he still has growing pains, obviously, his decision-making is for the most time very good already. His skating is world-class and his stickhandling is between very good and elite, with a pretty good chance of it becoming elite consistently over the course of time.

Honestly, I see him as a Quinn Hughes lite. Imagine he played on a roster like Winnipeg, NYR, or Tampa. He could easily have 5-6 more goals and 10-15 more points by now if our attackers hadn't been incredibly snake-bitten or downright bad this season.

Very happy with Zell's pick and he is growing on me as my favorite Ducks player. Once we get more competent coaching and are past the growing phase, he'll be an ace up our sleeves.

I always saw the talent, but I did believe he would be more limited in the NHL. So far, I think it's clear I was wrong. He's quickly moving into core territory and it's exciting for sure.

 

[mightyquack]

After a rough start to the season, he's looked quite good. Now if Mintyukov could get going offensively too that would be fantastic.

 

[Kalv]

I always saw the talent, but I did believe he would be more limited in the NHL. So far, I think it's clear I was wrong. He's quickly moving into core territory and it's exciting for sure.

Same here. Ofc he there is a long road ahead to reach and maintain that staus but seems he's on his say.

I held out hope for him to be really good but was kind of thinking it's very unlikely. So far he has proven me he can kick ass big time. Certainly feeling more positive about us choosing Zell over Drysdale as our one undersized defenceman.