Prospect Info: Round 2, Pick 54: Emil Andrae, D, HV71 (SHL)

[Appleyard]

 

[Appleyard]

Right now he is the best defensively of the three... and ofc has the best technical skills.

Cant make up for the physical advantage they have though ofc.

 

[deadhead]

How is he at leverage? That was Kimmo's "short D-man" edge.
"Fire plug" guys can handle big men if they know how to use their size to their advantage (lower center of gravity).

 

[Appleyard]

How is he at leverage? That was Kimmo's "short D-man" edge.
"Fire plug" guys can handle big men if they know how to use their size to their advantage (lower center of gravity).

He is like ~190lbs at 18 and 5'9... his strength is no issue really. He has played vs guys like Ejdsell and Axelsson who are 220lbs+ and in one on ones was not overwhelmed on boards.

The things he needs to work on most:

Skating: It is "okay"... but needs to be better given size if wants to be an NHLer.
Over-aggression: Sometimes takes self out of play going for break-ups at blue-line... I ofc love aggressive blue-line play, but he over-does it.

 

[Appleyard]

The GA his partner (Torp) got spinorama'd after and did not take body or puck... but Andrae could have been slightly less aggressive and stood off slightly.

 

[FLYguy3911]

It was a bad play by both, but Andrae should have killed that play in the NZ. It was a 1 on 2 that turned into a 1 on 1 and a goal. Being aggressive there was the right play, it was just poorly executed - late reaction/bad angle.

I must have the worst timing in the world. Every time I tune into his games there is immediately a f*** up.

 

[Appleyard]

It was a bad play by both, but Andrae should have killed that play in the NZ. It was a 1 on 2 that turned into a 1 on 1 and a goal. Being aggressive there was the right play, it was just poorly executed - late reaction/bad angle.

I must have the worst timing in the world. Every time I tune into his games there is immediately a f*** up.

He is just so aggressive in every way. Sees a lane and he goes for it. Sees a puck and he goes for it. Always tries the zone denial. If he sees a hit he will go for it.

It is fun... but just needs to pick spots better going forward. Made a lot of nice plays in the 1st, especially on PP and PK, but then undone with one cock-up. Which has happened too much so far vs men.

Kind of guy who so far in his career who 100% has good/solid Corsi Rel but at best mediocre ExGF rel. He does not make "that" many mistakes really... but when he does they are usually very noticeable and turn into high danger chances against.

 

[Rebels57]

He is just so aggressive in every way. Sees a lane and he goes for it. Sees a puck and he goes for it. Always tries the zone denial. If he sees a hit he will go for it.

It is fun... but just needs to pick spots better going forward. Made a lot of nice plays in the 1st, especially on PP and PK, but then undone with one cock-up. Which has happened too much so far vs men.

Kind of guy who so far in his career who 100% has good/solid Corsi Rel but at best mediocre ExGF rel. He does not make "that" many mistakes really... but when he does they are usually very noticeable and turn into high danger chances against.

Sounds like Sanheim last season.

 

[Appleyard]

Sounds like Sanheim last season.

I do feel Sanheim was more influenced by some crappy luck though! Andrae has made more of those kind of plays really than Sanheim.

 

[Rebels57]

I do feel Sanheim was more influenced by some crappy luck though! Andrae has made more of those kind of plays really than Sanheim.

Sanheim was also influenced by Myers, who was a tire fire after his shoulder injury.

 

[Appleyard]

Made some beautiful dangles... including one from behind net through forecheckers legs late on, and one through three men for a nice shot.

Looks faster too than last year.

Just really needs to iron out the "big" mistakes.

He is clearly one of most skilled guys in Allsvenskan.

 

[deadhead]

Well, he's 19, this year is more about improvement than performance, that is, if he struggles early, no problem if he finishes strong and is ready to move up to SHL competition (or to the AHL) next season.

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

He is just so aggressive in every way. Sees a lane and he goes for it. Sees a puck and he goes for it. Always tries the zone denial. If he sees a hit he will go for it.

It is fun... but just needs to pick spots better going forward. Made a lot of nice plays in the 1st, especially on PP and PK, but then undone with one cock-up. Which has happened too much so far vs men.

Kind of guy who so far in his career who 100% has good/solid Corsi Rel but at best mediocre ExGF rel. He does not make "that" many mistakes really... but when he does they are usually very noticeable and turn into high danger chances against.

So what you're saying is that besides being aggressive, he's confident in his ability. I'll take that. Yeah, it sounds like he's going to give head coaches heart attacks, but you'll never fault him for never giving it his all.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

So what you're saying is that besides being aggressive, he's confident in his ability. I'll take that. Yeah, it sounds like he's going to give head coaches heart attacks, but you'll never fault him for never giving it his all.

Yeah but the problem with that is he will never play. Its the Ghost Saga. Make 10 good plays and one bad. Get benched for the mistake, Cause your not reliable. Especially if your a dman and young and SMOOOLLL

 

[Flyerfan18]

Yeah but the problem with that is he will never play. Its the Ghost Saga. Make 10 good plays and one bad. Get benched for the mistake, Cause your not reliable. Especially if your a dman and young and SMOOOLLL

well that’s how the game works. If you are small and a liability defensively you had better be an all star offensively or there is no place in the NHL for you as a defence man.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

well that’s how the game works. If you are small and a liability defensively you had better be an all star offensively or there is no place in the NHL for you as a defence man.

We dont have the year 1990. The Teams who play small skilled dman will win a lot in the next years. I bet we will win nothing with Fisto!

One error vs 10 good plays isnt liability. But good math by you!

Robert Haag not smoool= 10 Bad plays 1 good play. Good defender

 

[Flyerfan18]

Take a look at all the teams final rosters in around a month. Very very few will have more than one defenseman under 6 feet. You can’t teach size. Reach is important for defenseman. Doesn’t matter what year it is. Yes build is just as important and the odd shorter player can be successful but it’s rare.

 

[deadhead]

well that’s how the game works. If you are small and a liability defensively you had better be an all star offensively or there is no place in the NHL for you as a defence man.

Small does not necessarily equate to "liability on defense."

It limits some things you can do, but many smaller D-men have compensated, we saw it with Kimmo, and Spurgeon might be the best defensive defenseman in the NHL.

The problem for Ghost was he was small and weak, didn't play with leverage, and was too careless with the puck. So when he didn't score he had limited value.

 

[Appleyard]

Yeh, at jr level Andrae was a #1 PK guy (and now also on PK at pro), and was very defensively sound.

Plus he is 190lbs at like 5'9 and only 19.

He needs to sort stuff out... but puck management is maybe biggest at times. And not overcommiting at blue line.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

Take a look at all the teams final rosters in around a month. Very very few will have more than one defenseman under 6 feet. You can’t teach size. Reach is important for defenseman. Doesn’t matter what year it is. Yes build is just as important and the odd shorter player can be successful but it’s rare.

Timonen wasnt big, Ellis isnt Big and so on. You dont need to be Big to be good devensively

 

[Appleyard]

Timonen wasnt big, Ellis isnt Big and so on. You dont need to be Big to be good devensively

Adam Fox, Mackenzie Weegar and Jared Spurgeon are three of the best ~10 players in their own zone in the entire NHL right now...

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Appleyard]

 

[deadhead]

I wonder if Andrae would have had the same opportunity to open up his offensive game if they were still in the SHL.
This is like the perfect 19 year old season for him, work on your offensive skill package, then at 20 get back to the SHL and over to NA at 21-22.

 

[Appleyard]

I wonder if Andrae would have had the same opportunity to open up his offensive game if they were still in the SHL.
This is like the perfect 19 year old season for him, work on your offensive skill package, then at 20 get back to the SHL and over to NA at 21-22.

He might... he is playing ahead of Chad Billins who has been a #1 in the SHL on multiple teams the last few years. As well as Bertov and Ytterell who have been ~SHL #4.

BUT if they were still in the SHL then they would also have an extra Dman or so. But whatever he would be at worst the #3 with PP1 time.