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

[I am the Liquor]

Glad to know I wasn't the only who was wondering where this is ''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.

Im a big fan and an Oil King sth.

His skating is an issue. It isnt horrible, but against fast teams like Portland, he becomes exposed because of it. If he is going to play in the nhl, his skating (speed) is going to have to improve considerably.

Having said that I am confident that it will.

 

[JawandaPuck]

Coyotes get a rugged Swedish forward who played midget in Arizona while his famous father coached PHX.

 

[AmericanDream]

Coyotes get a rugged Swedish forward who played midget in Arizona while his famous father coached PHX.

they got a rugged American forward.....spent his whole life in the USA...

pretty cool that Phoenix took him as he is from Arizona...so that is pretty cool overall...

tough as nails kid, hopefully the scoring continues to evolve....he will be another hated player for me on the Yotes in a few years!

 

[Eye of Ra]

they got a rugged American forward.....spent his whole life in the USA...

pretty cool that Phoenix took him as he is from Arizona...so that is pretty cool overall...

tough as nails kid, hopefully the scoring continues to evolve....he will be another hated player for me on the Yotes in a few years!

His parents are swedish.


Swede - American.

 

[Petey21]

Henrik isn't from Arizona, he's born in Pittsburgh because his father Ulf was playing for the Penguins at the time. But he did live in Arizona later on in life though.

And personally I didn't think he was that bad while playing in Sweden, it sounds on some people as if he was the most brutal player ever, but that wasn't the case if you ask me. Maybe some people put too much pressure on him because he was the son of the coach, but he sure didn't deserve all the badmouthing he did receive from some fans.

I liked his play along the boards and general grit, and although not the fastest skater out there he could at least get from A to B reasonably fast, and who cares if it looked unorthodox, it's not figure skating. So it'll be interesting to see how he will do in the future, most likely better than any of his hecklers could ever imagine.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Has anyone else seen Samuelsson play much this past season in the WHL? I saw him on a few occasions and I thought he was definately the most dominant on the ice in those games but also one of the more dominant players I saw in the WHL. Scored goals, got assists and plays a very physical game. Finished the regular season with 69gp. 33g. 47a. 80pts. 97pims.... and in playoffs 22gp. 11g. 8a. 19pts. 43pims... Opposing players couldnt push him off the puck and he just seems so much more physically mature than everyone else in junior. I really think Phoenix drafted an absolute beauty with this 1st round pick. Although he managed just fine in the WHL, he needs to continue working on his skating to succeed in the NHL. I have no doubt he will keep improving and I think in a few years he will be a stud in Phoenix(orrrr Seattle NHL?? hahah)

 

[Brewster]

Has anyone else seen Samuelsson play much this past season in the WHL? I saw him on a few occasions and I thought he was definately the most dominant on the ice in those games but also one of the more dominant players I saw in the WHL. Scored goals, got assists and plays a very physical game. Finished the regular season with 69gp. 33g. 47a. 80pts. 97pims.... and in playoffs 22gp. 11g. 8a. 19pts. 43pims... Opposing players couldnt push him off the puck and he just seems so much more physically mature than everyone else in junior. I really think Phoenix drafted an absolute beauty with this 1st round pick. Although he managed just fine in the WHL, he needs to continue working on his skating to succeed in the NHL. I have no doubt he will keep improving and I think in a few years he will be a stud in Phoenix(orrrr Seattle NHL?? hahah)

He was fantastic in the regular season but was a dud in the later rounds of the playoffs. He has a penchant to take REALLY stupid penalties at the absolute worst times.

 

[hbk]

He was fantastic in the regular season but was a dud in the later rounds of the playoffs. He has a penchant to take REALLY stupid penalties at the absolute worst times.

Agree with this and the previous poster. I should point out how great Samuellson played in last years WHL playoffs though. Makes me wonder if he was fighting through an injury this go around.

Regardless Samuellson offers top 6 hope at this point. Discipline and skating two biggest issues.

 

[R S]

Definitely showed good improvement this season, but his transition to the AHL next season is going to be very important. Still is a big clumsy and doesn't have the quickest feet. More growth in that part of his game will mean the world. Still not sure he ends up as a true top 6 player, but could have some value as an offense-leaning top 9 skater.

 

[Passchendaele]

Definitely showed good improvement this season, but his transition to the AHL next season is going to be very important. Still is a big clumsy and doesn't have the quickest feet. More growth in that part of his game will mean the world. Still not sure he ends up as a true top 6 player, but could have some value as an offense-leaning top 9 skater.

Samuelsson will be still too young for the AHL next year. He's going back to Edmonton.

 

[McDoused]

Samuelsson will be still too young for the AHL next year. He's going back to Edmonton.

I might be wrong on this but I think he still falls under an import and isn't affected by the age rule. It would be the same as a European going from the SEL to the AHL.

 

[Spawn]

I might be wrong on this but I think he still falls under an import and isn't affected by the age rule. It would be the same as a European going from the SEL to the AHL.

Wasn't he drafted out of the WHL though? I thought at that point they had him until 20 regardless of where he comes from.

But I too might be wrong! lol

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Samuelsson will be still too young for the AHL next year. He's going back to Edmonton.

I cant believe he has to play in the WHL again. This whole AHL rule I feel needs to be fixed a bit. In Samuelssons case, the next level up is greatly more beneficial than spending another season in junior IMO

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Wasn't he drafted out of the WHL though? I thought at that point they had him until 20 regardless of where he comes from.

But I too might be wrong! lol

No you are right. He was drafted out of WHL so he has to go by the WHL/AHL rules... WHL next season for him it is!!

 

[R S]

Hmm, my mistake. Seems like a waste of a year of his development, if you ask me.

 

[Valic]

Hmm, my mistake. Seems like a waste of a year of his development, if you ask me.

Possibly, but him and Lazar wont be sheltered by St Croix and company so theres always that. Plus he needs to work on skating badly.

 

[Brewster]

Possibly, but him and Lazar wont be sheltered by St Croix and company so theres always that. Plus he needs to work on skating badly.

Agreed. The Oil Kings are losing a lot of depth and are going to lean on Samuelsson quite a bit more than in previous years.

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Samuelsson - Lazar - Moroz as the top line for the OK next year. He will get tons of minutes and opportunities. One more year of junior is not a bad thing IMO.

 

[Passchendaele]

Scored four goals tonight.

 

[XX]

Can anyone that has seen him lately comment on his play? Coyote fans would like an update.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Can anyone that has seen him lately comment on his play? Coyote fans would like an update.

Big powerful forward that puts up points. I love him.... Only issue is his skating. I strongly feel he will need a year or 2 in the AHL to get used to the quicker speed

 

[Joey Moss]

He's been a beast in the Finals.. something like 6 goals I think.

His skating needs improvement but he can dominate at the junior level with great puck protection and hands.

 

[iCanada]

Can anyone that has seen him lately comment on his play? Coyote fans would like an update.

He was a Monster during the WHL Playoffs. Led the Oil Kings in Points, killed penalties, dominated physically.

Skating is a little suspect as for making the jump, but can be improved. I think he is a Gem.

 

[puckfan13]

Samuelsson's skills are great at this level. He is a premiere playmaker for the junior level, however his play is still plagued by selfish penalties and acting like a punk at times. Loves to use his stick and create problems his teammates will have to clean up. Not that I think this is a detriment to his actual skill, he is extremely skilled, these are just things in his game I think are selfish at the moment. Pretty easy to tell his teammates aren't always thrilled with his antics.

His skill should honestly allow him to adjust to the AHL next year pretty well, he just has to keep his feet moving, when he gets standing still his game can suffer on both ends of the ice when he's just waiting around for the puck and not picking up a man. That will drive Tippett crazy, but that's what the AHL and developing is for. Lots to work with here. Interesting to see how he progresses. His skills are NHL worthy, lets see how his game adjusts.

 

[Valic]

I've noticed his "burst" has improved. Pardon the pun but he's definitely made some strides in his skating compared to last year. It's no longer a weakness at this level but it's far from a strength.

Fitness and skating still has to improve as he still has the drop off in his skating in later half of shifts.