RW Oliver Wahlstrom - Boston College, NCAA (2018, 11th, NYI)

[93LEAFS]

I don't believe that is correct. He is playing college hockey next year, reports are he is still going to Harvard as of 2 days ago - he is still sending in his application according to his family- I doubt he would be doing that if he wasn't where he needs to be.

True, I heard in November from people who are close to the program that he wasn't on track and was likely to try CHL or AHL next year. Maybe things have changed, but he's been a class of 2019 for whatever reason until recently. He entered the program as a grade 10. That Shattuck stuff was accurate at the time, as it was a big deal that he played Varsity as a freshman at the time, and that was in 2015/16.

 

[AmericanDream]

True, I heard in November from people who are close to the program that he wasn't on track and was likely to try CHL or AHL next year. Maybe things have changed, but he's been a class of 2019 for whatever reason until recently. He entered the program as a grade 10. That Shattuck stuff was accurate at the time, as it was a big deal that he played Varsity as a freshman at the time, and that was in 2015/16.

I guess we will know in about 30 days or so when his application is in and for what year. I haven't heard him not playing NCAA next year, so we will see.

 

[93LEAFS]

I guess we will know in about 30 days or so when his application is in and for what year. I haven't heard him not playing NCAA next year, so we will see.

Yeah, it will be interesting. He's the only early birthday USNTDP kid that I can remember who was in grade 10 when they entered the program. I know guys like Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk entered the program as grade 10's which partially influenced them to go the routes they did. Auston had to fast track anyway as the Swiss wouldn't let him play if he didn't graduate, Tkachuk claims it had no influence on going to the Knights as he could have reclassified to the 2015 class.

I'm sure if he really wants to go to college next year, they can figure out a way with a crazy workload and online classes. Its not like the USNTDP and the high-schools they are associated with haven't gone through this before.

 

[Frannel]

I've been wondering for a while now, why the NTDP drafts kids from one birthyear, regardless of when they will be eligible for the NHL draft...? I know Wahlstrom is eligibel this year, so it's probably just unfortunate if he hasn't finished school by then. But Janicke for instance is a late birthday, so naturally he is still a Junior and he is eligible in 2019 if I am correct - so: why does the NTDP not go along with the cutoffdates of the NHL draft for their own rosters? Is it to the benefit of the kids to look for a new team for their gap year until they are eligible?

 

[93LEAFS]

I've been wondering for a while now, why the NTDP drafts kids from one birthyear, regardless of when they will be eligible for the NHL draft...? I know Wahlstrom is eligibel this year, so it's probably just unfortunate if he hasn't finished school by then. But Janicke for instance is a late birthday, so naturally he is still a Junior and he is eligible in 2019 if I am correct - so: why does the NTDP not go along with the cutoffdates of the NHL draft for their own rosters? Is it to the benefit of the kids to look for a new team for their gap year until they are eligible?

It’s done because it’s designed to win the U-18’s. there is no marquee U-19 event.

Almost all elite kids figure out they need to fast track or they just go to the CHL. They can also join a USHL team for a year.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

I've been wondering for a while now, why the NTDP drafts kids from one birthyear, regardless of when they will be eligible for the NHL draft...? I know Wahlstrom is eligibel this year, so it's probably just unfortunate if he hasn't finished school by then. But Janicke for instance is a late birthday, so naturally he is still a Junior and he is eligible in 2019 if I am correct - so: why does the NTDP not go along with the cutoffdates of the NHL draft for their own rosters? Is it to the benefit of the kids to look for a new team for their gap year until they are eligible?

All based on Inernational u17 and u18 tournaments

 

[Peeps]

Dahlin
Wahlstrom
Zadina
Svechnikov
Tkachuk
Bouchard
Hughes

I feel he is the best available forward in the draft. A dangerous forward first but also a complete forward with pro attitude.

Similar to Aleksander Barkov.

I have kind of the same feeling for Zadina. As a really dangerous forward that will bring a complete hockey game while having a pro attitude.

 

[93LEAFS]

Dahlin
Wahlstrom
Zadina
Svechnikov
Tkachuk
Bouchard
Hughes

I feel he is the best available forward in the draft. A dangerous forward first but also a complete forward with pro attitude.

Similar to Aleksander Barkov.

I have kind of the same feeling for Zadina. As a really dangerous forward that will bring a complete hockey game while having a pro attitude.

I really don't get how you see Barkov. Barkov is a complete all-around center, with a 200-foot game and battles a ton. Wahlstrom is a winger, who doesn't really grind it out on the walls too much. Wahlstrom strikes me more as a high-end sniper with an NHL frame, great hands, great shot and above-average to good skating. If I was to use a high-end NHLer to compare him to, I'd probably say Tarasenko.

 

[Thebesthockey]

more a pacioretty good shot perimeter player

 

[Mr Plow]

Reminds me a bit of Boeser.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Reminds me a bit of Boeser.

Much better skater.

 

[Whalers Fan]

A couple of nice sniper shots by Wahlstrom in last night's comeback win over Chicago -- the second one being in the shootout.

 

[Zaddy]

What would you guys say Wahlstrom is lacking to be in the conversation for being the 2nd forward off the board this summer? Meaning what is it that makes Zadina and Tkachuk better prospects?

 

[Peeps]

Wahlstrom is better than Tkachuk.
Wahlstrom is better/equal to Zadina.

 

[Debrincat93]

instead of saying x is better than y and expect people to respect your opinion, why dont you actually give some thought behind it and why you think that? clearly there's some people in here that disagree.

 

[Whalers Fan]

I'm not sure about Zadina, but I've been saying for quite some time that if I was a GM I would take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk if I had the choice. However, I am not as high on Tkachuk as others. Tkachuk lacked consistency when he played here for the NTDP, being invisible on many nights except when he was taking a dumb penalty. Wahlstrom is much more dangerous offensively, and has one heck of a shot.

 

[Peasy]

Wahlstrom is better than Tkachuk.
Wahlstrom is better/equal to Zadina.

Great analysis.

Kotkaniemi is better than Wahlstrom.

 

[AmericanDream]

I'm not sure about Zadina, but I've been saying for quite some time that if I was a GM I would take Wahlstrom over Tkachuk if I had the choice. However, I am not as high on Tkachuk as others. Tkachuk lacked consistency when he played here for the NTDP, being invisible on many nights except when he was taking a dumb penalty. Wahlstrom is much more dangerous offensively, and has one heck of a shot.

as I said in another thread, to be fair, look at what Tkachuk played with and look at what Wahlstrom has to play with...it isn't even close. that 99' year was very meh for the USNDP.

now with that said, 10 out of 10 times I take Oliver over Brady, but I still think Brady gets picked before Oliver and goes top 5...just my hunch.

Tkachuk just has so much going for him, you now the dude is a lock for the NHL - how high the ceiling is the only question for Brady. and yes, I think he makes the NHL right out of camp next year as well looking at any of the bottom 10 teams right now.

 

[AmericanDream]

Great analysis.

Kotkaniemi is better than Wahlstrom.

you might not like his analysis, but I think his post is correct.

 

[McKappa]

What exactly is the knock on him that prevents him from being ranked in the top 5 on these rankings? I like just about everything I see out of this guy, elite shot, elite hands and puck skills, skating might not be elite but looks good to me, even some playmaking upside here. So why exactly does he still get ranked below Tkachuk despite clearly showing a lot more offensive upside?

Definitely the player I want the Oilers to grab if we miss out on the top 3/Boqvist/Hughes

 

[lanky]

So why exactly does he still get ranked below Tkachuk despite clearly showing a lot more offensive upside?

Tkachuk was good at the U20s, which isn't common for draft eligible players. There were a lot of eyes on that tournament. The U18s will be Wahlstrom's chance to take the spotlight and I expect he won't disappoint.

 

[93LEAFS]

What exactly is the knock on him that prevents him from being ranked in the top 5 on these rankings? I like just about everything I see out of this guy, elite shot, elite hands and puck skills, skating might not be elite but looks good to me, even some playmaking upside here. So why exactly does he still get ranked below Tkachuk despite clearly showing a lot more offensive upside?

Definitely the player I want the Oilers to grab if we miss out on the top 3/Boqvist/Hughes

Doesn't compete hard all the time would be the knock on him.

 

[SI90]

I want him on the isles.

Him on Barzals Wing would be sweet!!!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

2 assists today, 7 SOG.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

What exactly is the knock on him that prevents him from being ranked in the top 5 on these rankings? I like just about everything I see out of this guy, elite shot, elite hands and puck skills, skating might not be elite but looks good to me, even some playmaking upside here. So why exactly does he still get ranked below Tkachuk despite clearly showing a lot more offensive upside?

Definitely the player I want the Oilers to grab if we miss out on the top 3/Boqvist/Hughes

Not a great passer, hockey IQ is iffy. His game reminds me of Tippett's from the last draft.