RW Oliver Bjorkstrand (2013, 89th, CBJ)

[MatthewFlames]

How's this guy doing in the A? There hasn't been much discussion on him since last year's awesome 50 goals in 50 games in the CHL.

It's been a big adjustment, not helped by an early season injury. He's been inconsistent offensively but has been much better of late. The AHL doesn't publish ice-time and any in-depth situational stats - and it's tough to watch a lot of full Lake Eirie games but from what I've seen and been able to tell, he's getting more ice time, 2nd unit PP time (has 2 of his 9 goals on the PP) of late, where he started lower down the order and with no PP time (as expected for a rookie.)

He's certainly shooting as much as ever (he leads the team in SOG/game) but hasn't really lit the lamp. That said, if you split his season into half, he was 18GP - 3G - 3 A - 6 PTS for the first half, and is 17 GP - 6G - 5 A - 11 PTS in the 2nd half. Almost double the output.

This team is pretty young, but, even so, he's been behind quite a few 2nd - 4th year players until Rychel got called up.

He's been on a line with Hannikkainen and Tynan for the last two games I watched, which is what I would consider the 2nd line, with Chaput, Zaar and Milano as the #1 line.

Thought he was quite effective, although he either needs to be shiftier and/or get bigger/stronger and be more of a straight ahead player if he's going to find his effectiveness with the puck at the next level. He's got time, so I don't think there is anything to be concerned about.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Got called up today and will make his debut tomorrow against the Wings.

 

[Tripod]

Got called up today and will make his debut tomorrow against the Wings.

Hope he lights them up!

 

[SmartPuck]

One of the most talented prospects to come through the CHL over the past decade.

 

[Cowumbus]

Scores his first NHL goal in his second game! Excited for this kid.

 

[Cowumbus]

Make that 2 Goals tonight!!

 

[spintheblackcircle]

...and his 2nd

Dude has a WICKED shot

 

[MardyBum]

Bjork! Bjork! Bjork! Great to see. Watching as many Petan games as I could I became a fan of his.

 

[OG]

He was impressive tonight. His great shot was on display.

 

[OG]

Points in 4 straight games. 8pts in 12 games. He's been great.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Scored his 9th goal in OT tonite, his 5th GWG in the playoffs and the Monsters are up 3-0 in the finals.

Saad-Wennberg-Bjorkstrand

 

[stevo61]

Scored his 9th goal in OT tonite, his 5th GWG in the playoffs and the Monsters are up 3-0 in the finals.

Saad-Wennberg-Bjorkstrand

4 goals in 2 games and 2 GWGs i believe

 

[Jackets16]

Scored his 9th goal in OT tonite, his 5th GWG in the playoffs and the Monsters are up 3-0 in the finals.

Saad-Wennberg-Bjorkstrand

OT - With ?? - Jenner - Puljujärvi

 

[stevo61]

OT - With ?? - Jenner - Puljujärvi

Foligno/Hartnel-Dubi-Atkinson
Foligno/Hartnell-Jenner-Puljujarvi

Probably Foligno with Jenner-Puljujarvi

 

[Jackets16]

Foligno/Hartnel-Dubi-Atkinson
Foligno/Hartnell-Jenner-Puljujarvi

Probably Foligno with Jenner-Puljujarvi

I'm talking about in a few years when, hopefully, a few of those guys aren't still on the team.

 

[stevo61]

I'm talking about in a few years when, hopefully, a few of those guys aren't still on the team.

oh gotcha. In that case I would guess it would be Rychel. He and Jenner have played well together and gives the line a shooter

 

[Jackets16]

oh gotcha. In that case I would guess it would be Rychel. He and Jenner have played well together and gives the line a shooter

Yeah. It will likely be (not taking into account trades, signings, etc....) one of Rychel, Milano, or Bittner. It makes me wonder if Bittner plays on the same like as Bjorkstrand if he becomes good enough to play on one of our top 2 lines.

Saad - Wennberg - Puljujarvi
Bittner - Jenner - Bjorkstrand

 

[major major]

Yeah. It will likely be (not taking into account trades, signings, etc....) one of Rychel, Milano, or Bittner. It makes me wonder if Bittner plays on the same like as Bjorkstrand if he becomes good enough to play on one of our top 2 lines.

Saad - Wennberg - Puljujarvi
Bittner - Jenner - Bjorkstrand

Rychel, Milano, and Bittner, eh? I'd like to see the odds that none of those guys are ever on the same level that Dubi/Foligno/Hartnell are on now. I'd like to take that bet against some of my youth-worshiping fellow Jackets fans.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

And with his 6th GWG goal, his third OT goal of the playoffs, Bjorkstand wins The Calder Cup.

 

[stevo61]

Mvp mvp mvp

 

[Team_Spirit]

beast mode

 

[major major]

I have to say, that I'm a little surprised that the boards is not particularly interested in this historic AHL playoffs. We'll drool over every play at the WJC, but for some reason the prospects taking over the Calder Cup is not interesting here.

Here's the top 10 with age in parentheses, games - goals - assists - points

1 Connor Carrick (22) Toronto Marlies 15 7 11 18
2 Carter Camper (27) Hershey Bears 21 6 11 17
3 Oliver Bjorkstrand (21) Lake Erie 17 10 6 16
4 Lukas Sedlak (23) Lake Erie 17 9 7 16
5 Jakub Vrana (20) Hershey Bears 21 8 6 14
6 Jake Guentzel (21) WB/S Penguins 10 5 9 14
7 Zach Werenski (18) Lake Erie 17 5 9 14
8 Ryan Craig (34) Lake Erie 17 3 10 13
9 Josh Anderson (22) Lake Erie 15 7 5 12
10 Daniel Zaar (22) Lake Erie 17 7 5 12

Good production from other legit prospects in Mantha (21), Leivo (23), and Nylander (20), who might've ended near the top if their teams had gone further.

And among goalies Anton Forsberg (23) of Lake Erie was sensational.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I have to say, that I'm a little surprised that the boards is not particularly interested in this historic AHL playoffs. We'll drool over every play at the WJC, but for some reason the prospects taking over the Calder Cup is not interesting here.

Two reasons.

1. He doesn't play for a Canadian organization.

2. He isn't Canadian.

 

[major major]

Two reasons.

1. He doesn't play for a Canadian organization.

2. He isn't Canadian.

Yeah, I know, that was my thinking. If the prospects on the Marlies were this good you'd never hear the end of it.

 

[Ana Crusis]

Who won mvp the last five years?