Nils is better than Pionk will ever be.
he shouldn’t be untouchable though.
Respectfully, I do think this a bit nonsense. Pionk just had 45 pts in the NHL. Lundkvist is a upper echelon D in the SHL, but definitely not — yet — anything special. He is far from a lock to be like top 20 in the vore for Salming Trophy (Norris in Sweden). Good SHL D who had inflated numbers last season due to being the only RHS option.
Like seriously, bunch of ppl saw him in the WJC, he wasn’t voted best D for Sweden, he was hardly dominating. He had a very good tournament — but that’s it. Not more not less. It’s not like expectations for Ds with that type of performance at a WJC should be through the roof. Not should they be based on his — play — in the SHL. What you got is D production, but that is what it is. Little say less than the production of a defender.
Just watch him play, he is hardly a dominating skater. He is an OK, not great skater. He is listed between 5’10-11.
I like him a lot, but the way I describe his potential is how I honestly evaluate him (right or wrong). It’s not hyperbole in either direction. I am just saying, there is no reason whatsoever to expect him to come in and become a really special top 3 defender in the NHL. If he can
become someone like Pionk who can perform OK in a top 4 role — that is great.