RW Henrik Samuelsson (2012, 27th, ARZ, traded to EDM)

[R S]

Had my first chance to see him live last night. He was ok, but he's still a very raw player. Skates well, protects the puck well, seemed to get knocked around quite a bit though and still had trouble making quick decisions with the puck.

Still lots of growth needed, but the potential is there no doubt.

 

[rt]

He's looked FANTASTIC so far in the Memorial Cup. Looks like a Shane Doan type out there. Or a poor man's Gabriel Landeskog. Whoever said Johan Franzen was pretty close, too. Maybe like a lesser version of those guys.

 

[hallonskal]

He's looked FANTASTIC so far in the Memorial Cup. Looks like a Shane Doan type out there. Or a poor man's Gabriel Landeskog. Whoever said Johan Franzen was pretty close, too. Maybe like a lesser version of those guys.

Wow, 7 months ago someone would have thought you were crazy for saying stuff like this. I haven't seen Samuelsson at all since he left SEL but he was absolutely brutal, probably the worst player in SEL this season, he just wasn't good at anything at all.

From what he showed us I am amazed that people rank him anywhere near the first 4-5 rounds of this years draft, he was just really bad. Maybe it was the big rink or that he was playing against men instead of boys that made him look bad, I wouldn't really know. I just think it is both weird and funny to see how he went from a really bad SEL-player, I think he'd have major issues if he played in Allsvenskan (SEL-2) as well, to being talked about as a first/second-round pick.

Either way I think he will have a hard time once he gets out from the juniors, he really was just a little boy, worse than a lot of other players his age, among men in SEL and it wont be any easier if he tries to play in the NHL.

 

[JEI]

Either way I think he will have a hard time once he gets out from the juniors, he really was just a little boy, worse than a lot of other players his age, among men in SEL and it wont be any easier if he tries to play in the NHL.

He'll also likely be into his 20s when he plays against men in the NHL. Keep that in mind.

I don't see him as much as many here do, but it seems the big knock was his skating .. perhaps that's what made him stand out in a poor way on big international ice? And perhaps, his style of game and choppy skating makes his development better suited for the NA game?

Either way, many have him as a top 60 pick (I don't think I've seen him ranked outside of that) so he's got something going for him.

 

[hallonskal]

He'll also likely be into his 20s when he plays against men in the NHL. Keep that in mind.

I don't see him as much as many here do, but it seems the big knock was his skating .. perhaps that's what made him stand out in a poor way on big international ice? And perhaps, his style of game and choppy skating makes his development better suited for the NA game?

Either way, many have him as a top 60 pick (I don't think I've seen him ranked outside of that) so he's got something going for him.

Yeah, that might be true.

The skating was one of many problems, his physical play was weak, he was bad with and without the puck and he was a defensive liability. He just didn't have any quality that was close to SEL-level, maybe the poor skating made it even worse but SEL isn't really a fast-paced league so it shouldn't be as big of an issue as it was if that was the case. I'd say that is easier to get by in SEL with poor skating than it is in many NA-leagues.

I know some people that saw him in J20 SuperElite as well, it's the best junior league here in Sweden and they said he looked very average there too.

I guess going back to NA saved him, I've seen undrafted players do a lot better than he did in SEL.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I think Samuelsson is a playoff built guy who will grind, battle, agitate, and capable of beating you on the scoreboard. His Dad is clearly an influence and I can see a bit of Claude Lemieux's prickly game.

I'm not totally sure if the offensive upside is there to be a 2C but definitely think this guy is a valuable support player with the package he possesses. Showing to be a fierce competitor in the Dub playoffs and now in the Memorial Cup.

This is projected to be a highly erratic draft year especially outside the top eight or so. As well, a draft that is top heavy with defense prospects, a big, offensively capable, mean spirited power forward with good bloodlines is a realistic gamble in the first round imo. Add in a Memorial Cup appearance and Samuelsson will fresh and familiar come draft time.

 

[QMJHLfollower]

Wow, 7 months ago someone would have thought you were crazy for saying stuff like this. I haven't seen Samuelsson at all since he left SEL but he was absolutely brutal, probably the worst player in SEL this season, he just wasn't good at anything at all.

From what he showed us I am amazed that people rank him anywhere near the first 4-5 rounds of this years draft, he was just really bad. Maybe it was the big rink or that he was playing against men instead of boys that made him look bad, I wouldn't really know. I just think it is both weird and funny to see how he went from a really bad SEL-player, I think he'd have major issues if he played in Allsvenskan (SEL-2) as well, to being talked about as a first/second-round pick.

Either way I think he will have a hard time once he gets out from the juniors, he really was just a little boy, worse than a lot of other players his age, among men in SEL and it wont be any easier if he tries to play in the NHL.

It's tough to play versus men when you play a power forward game, you're 18 years old and you need to add pounds and be stronger.

I think when he'll be in the 24ish years he'll be find after growing up into his frame, adding some weights and getting stronger.

 

[17Kurri]

Yeah, that might be true.

The skating was one of many problems, his physical play was weak, he was bad with and without the puck and he was a defensive liability. He just didn't have any quality that was close to SEL-level, maybe the poor skating made it even worse but SEL isn't really a fast-paced league so it shouldn't be as big of an issue as it was if that was the case. I'd say that is easier to get by in SEL with poor skating than it is in many NA-leagues.

I know some people that saw him in J20 SuperElite as well, it's the best junior league here in Sweden and they said he looked very average there too.

I guess going back to NA saved him, I've seen undrafted players do a lot better than he did in SEL.

His skating is still a bit of an issue, but he's got everything else going for him. I have no doubt that he had his troubles in the bigger rinks in Sweden. His game is definitely a smaller rink game, where there's less ice to cover and a lot more board play. It's been night and day from when he first joined the Oil Kings and now. There was a definite lack of confidence for the first few games, until he figured out again that the size of the rink here was to his advantage.

 

[rt]

I can see big rinks and an east to west mentality giving this kid fits. He's a straight line banger, and is good in the rough. Of course smaller rinks suit him better.

 

[hfboardsuser]

----

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

The kid is purpose built for a North American game and it is in this environment where most of his formulative development occured. The WHL pro style game, travel, schedule against peer aged competition was the smartest decision he ever made. His game and confidence grew building out a go to role on a WHL Championship team.

 

[ManByng]

you'd have to think he'd be on the Oilers radar at #32 if he's still there, despite the overabundance of forwards in the system and on the team.

 

[hallonskal]

It's tough to play versus men when you play a power forward game, you're 18 years old and you need to add pounds and be stronger.

I think when he'll be in the 24ish years he'll be find after growing up into his frame, adding some weights and getting stronger.

I don't want to sound like a hater, which I'm not but I also want to inform people how bad he was when he was in Sweden. To say that younger players couldn't be powerforwards in SEL is a lie. We have plenty of young powerforwards in the league that did/do a lot better than Samuelsson so it is a pretty bad excuse.

One thing that could have played a big part is that he was playing for is dad in SEL and that probably put a lot of pressure on him, especially when both he and the team preformed poorly.

Either way I hope he can continue on the development that he have had since returning to NA.

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

I don't want to sound like a hater, which I'm not but I also want to inform people how bad he was when he was in Sweden. To say that younger players couldn't be powerforwards in SEL is a lie. We have plenty of young powerforwards in the league that did/do a lot better than Samuelsson so it is a pretty bad excuse.

One thing that could have played a big part is that he was playing for is dad in SEL and that probably put a lot of pressure on him, especially when both he and the team preformed poorly.

Either way I hope he can continue on the development that he have had since returning to NA.

I believe you that he was bad in Sweden. There's a reason why his draft stock plummetted. But like other posters have said his game really is a lot more tailored to the NA game. He can make stuff happen with his size on the smaller rink at the junior level that you can see translating to the pro level over here. With some time to work on his skating he could be even better too.

 

[sg58]

I don't think he was that bad in Sweden. During pre-season games he showed many good glimpses but when he started struggling in the SEL and everybody and their mom started talking about how Uffe was handing him ice-time on a silver plate, he obviously had a tough time. I think you're being unnecessary hard on him, Mr. Ferros.

One has got to keep in mind that a young forward being an impact player (for a bottom-dweller) in his draft year is very rare.

 

[Wheatking]

I wasn't overly impressed by him when he first joined the Oil Kings but he just kept getting stronger and stronger. I'm a big fan now. His skating is a problem but thats something that can be worked on.

 

[hallonskal]

I don't think he was that bad in Sweden. During pre-season games he showed many good glimpses but when he started struggling in the SEL and everybody and their mom started talking about how Uffe was handing him ice-time on a silver plate, he obviously had a tough time. I think you're being unnecessary hard on him, Mr. Ferros.

One has got to keep in mind that a young forward being an impact player (for a bottom-dweller) in his draft year is very rare.

Yes, during the pre-season games he was better but it is quite common for younger players to do better then than when the season starts. Less pressure, more ice-time, weaker opponents etc.

Maybe I'm a bit too harsh, I don't know, I just think it is weird that a player can go from a level where no one would be surprised if he went really late in the draft/wouldn't get drafted to being in consideration while talking about first round picks by just changing league. I find that quite interesting, maybe it is something more young swedish players should try out, even though I personally wouldn't like SEL losing talent in that way.

 

[wej20]

Yes, during the pre-season games he was better but it is quite common for younger players to do better then than when the season starts. Less pressure, more ice-time, weaker opponents etc.

Maybe I'm a bit too harsh, I don't know, I just think it is weird that a player can go from a level where no one would be surprised if he went really late in the draft/wouldn't get drafted to being in consideration while talking about first round picks by just changing league. I find that quite interesting, maybe it is something more young swedish players should try out, even though I personally wouldn't like SEL losing talent in that way.

He has a few things going for him that probably helped him jumped maybe higher than another player would in the same situation. Good pedigree, Good size and playing well in the Memorial Cup.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Had my first chance to see him live last night. He was ok, but he's still a very raw player. Skates well, protects the puck well, seemed to get knocked around quite a bit though and still had trouble making quick decisions with the puck.

Still lots of growth needed, but the potential is there no doubt.

He does skate well for a big guy and is going to be a safe bet late in the 2nd round but I really doubt his ability to play top 6 minutes on a true contender, more of a role player.

But he will play in the NHL and ahve a decent career and guys with more skill will be picked before him and have lesser careers.

 

[rt]

Yes, during the pre-season games he was better but it is quite common for younger players to do better then than when the season starts. Less pressure, more ice-time, weaker opponents etc.

Maybe I'm a bit too harsh, I don't know, I just think it is weird that a player can go from a level where no one would be surprised if he went really late in the draft/wouldn't get drafted to being in consideration while talking about first round picks by just changing league. I find that quite interesting, maybe it is something more young swedish players should try out, even though I personally wouldn't like SEL losing talent in that way.

It's a question of fit. Why is Radim Vrbata lousy outside of Phoenix? Guy was born to play for Tippett. Same for Mike Smith. A lot of players go from one situation to another very different situation and flourish. It happens all of the time. Whether it's Anson Carter next to the Sedins, Mike Smith playing for a Tippett team, Marcel Hossa killing it in the KHL but sucking in the NHL or Henrik Samuelsson looking like a stud in the WHL but looking like trash in the SEL.

 

[rt]

I wasn't overly impressed by him when he first joined the Oil Kings but he just kept getting stronger and stronger. I'm a big fan now. His skating is a problem but thats something that can be worked on.

I think his skating is pretty decent. My issue is his puck protection while go full speed versus his puck possession while standing still. It seems like he can turn up the speed and get going pretty good but he's much more apt to turn the puck over, whereas when he's stationary, he's fantastic at protecting the puck. This seems like something that can be coached. If he can learn to protect that puck with a full head of steam, he's going to be one hell of a dangerous powerforward when driving to the net.

 

[sg58]

Yes, during the pre-season games he was better but it is quite common for younger players to do better then than when the season starts. Less pressure, more ice-time, weaker opponents etc.

Maybe I'm a bit too harsh, I don't know, I just think it is weird that a player can go from a level where no one would be surprised if he went really late in the draft/wouldn't get drafted to being in consideration while talking about first round picks by just changing league. I find that quite interesting, maybe it is something more young swedish players should try out, even though I personally wouldn't like SEL losing talent in that way.

He isn't any higher than he was at the start of the year on most lists. A bad SEL stretch and the transition from European scouts to WHL scouts had him plummet and return, but it's not like he's come from nowhere in the dub.

 

[TheNudge]

He isn't any higher than he was at the start of the year on most lists. A bad SEL stretch and the transition from European scouts to WHL scouts had him plummet and return, but it's not like he's come from nowhere in the dub.

Actually I believe he was much higher before the season started. I heard that he was in talk to be a top 10 or top 15 for the upcoming draft wich I felt at the time was redicule. Then had a poor start of the year with the SEL wich is stock plummeted. Then he went to WHL and is sk rocket to where he was but a bit more realisticly talking wich he is now at a late 1st to a mid 2nd.

I also feel he's more suited in a smaller ice surface then a open one liek the SEL.
The kid seems to have it all to have a great career but like every prospect he simply need to work on stuff to make it happen.

 

[Oiled up*]

what a great player... watching him live, dominating the physical aspects and chipping in with some goals and assists

hopefully we grab him in the 3rd round if hes not snatched probably even 2nd round he has potential to be great in this league

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

I think his skating is pretty decent.

Glad to know I wasn't the only who was wondering where this ''he is a bad skater'' rap came from. I didn't see any problems with his skating at all at the Memorial Cup.

He's not Bure on skates, but he gets where he needs to go.