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

[Frk It]

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

He should be ranked higher. People will get it when he destroys either the NCAA or Q next year.

 

[AmericanDream]

He should be ranked higher. People will get it when he destroys either the NCAA or Q next year.

he is #3 on my list, ahead of Svechnikov

Dahlin, Zadina, Wahlstrom, Svechnikov, Tkachuk are my top 5

 

[Whalers Fan]

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.

No argument on anything here. I do wonder where Tkachuk would be ranked, though, if his name was Smith instead of Tkachuk. Are we seeing some bias because of genetics? I just watch Wahlstrom's skills on offense and can't fathom taking Brady in front of him.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

No argument on anything here. I do wonder where Tkachuk would be ranked, though, if his name was Smith instead of Tkachuk. Are we seeing some bias because of genetics? I just watch Wahlstrom's skills on offense and can't fathom taking Brady in front of him.

I think he gets five spots for the name and five spots for the "intangibles."

 

[boredmale]

No argument on anything here. I do wonder where Tkachuk would be ranked, though, if his name was Smith instead of Tkachuk. Are we seeing some bias because of genetics? I just watch Wahlstrom's skills on offense and can't fathom taking Brady in front of him.

I am no draft expert but I thought Tkachuk had a very good World Jrs tournament. Doesn't hurt that his brother is killing it for the Flames

 

[AmericanDream]

No argument on anything here. I do wonder where Tkachuk would be ranked, though, if his name was Smith instead of Tkachuk. Are we seeing some bias because of genetics? I just watch Wahlstrom's skills on offense and can't fathom taking Brady in front of him.

it is a fair question, but I see it both ways -

it helps him possibly in scouting circles as those who have been around for years remember just the type of player his father was/and now brother is, and bloodlines still matter for some-

it hurts him nearly everywhere else as a lot of people either didn't like his father for the way he played the game, or think like your question and underrate him and say he isnt as skilled as other players and is only getting by for his name..that happened a lot to Matthew on here and other places, he proved them wrong, I think this dog faced gremlin does the same.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If this guy falls out of the top 5, some team is getting a steal..

When you compare PURE offensive skills, I think he has Zadina and Tkachuk beat in every category.

 

[schnapshot]

If this guy falls out of the top 5, some team is getting a steal..

When you compare PURE offensive skills, I think he has Zadina and Tkachuk beat in every category.

I think he beats out Tkachuk but him and Zadina are pretty comparable IMO.

 

[Emerz]

What are the chances he plays in the Q for Cape Breton next season? Like 5%? I can hope, would love to get to watch him all season long.

 

[WeThreeKings]

What are the chances he plays in the Q for Cape Breton next season? Like 5%? I can hope, would love to get to watch him all season long.

Miniscule. Unless the team that drafts him really pushes it. Hard to see someone giving up the chance to go to Harvard.

 

[JiggsNY]

The Harvard angle is going to be interesting. Cant remember a comparable in the past of such a highly touted prospect going to Harvard. Usually their stars are upperclassmen like Vesey or Donato, or guys like Fox who need the few years. Wahlstrom really seems like he should be 1 and done, it'll be interesting if it scares a couple teams off.

 

[JiggsNY]

-

 

[pckstpr31]

The Harvard angle is going to be interesting. Cant remember a comparable in the past of such a highly touted prospect going to Harvard. Usually their stars are upperclassmen like Vesey or Donato, or guys like Fox who need the few years. Wahlstrom really seems like he should be 1 and done, it'll be interesting if it scares a couple teams off.

Out of curiosity, why do you think him being a 1 and done would scare teams off? Or did you mean that some teams might be worried he'll want to stay there all 4 years?

 

[AmericanDream]

Out of curiosity, why do you think him being a 1 and done would scare teams off? Or did you mean that some teams might be worried he'll want to stay there all 4 years?

I think he means a player going in the top 5, or potentially, who is set to go to Harvard might scare a team off since the likelihood of him turning pro right away is slim to none...that is my take from it at least.

 

[JiggsNY]

Out of curiosity, why do you think him being a 1 and done would scare teams off? Or did you mean that some teams might be worried he'll want to stay there all 4 years?

Oh yeah, I meant that going to Harvard is different than any other school. Guys tend to stay longer, a Harvard degree is so valuable and I believe Harvard doesn't offer scholarships like other schools. It'll be interesting how it plays out is all. I think so teams will be wary of Wahlstrom staying in school longer, but I'm sure thats something they can iron out in draft meetings

 

[PWJunior]

The Harvard angle is going to be interesting. Cant remember a comparable in the past of such a highly touted prospect going to Harvard. Usually their stars are upperclassmen like Vesey or Donato, or guys like Fox who need the few years. Wahlstrom really seems like he should be 1 and done, it'll be interesting if it scares a couple teams off.

Louis LeBlanc went to Harvard after being drafted by Montreal in 2009. One and done for him, I believe. He is forgettable because he busted.

 

[pckstpr31]

I think he means a player going in the top 5, or potentially, who is set to go to Harvard might scare a team off since the likelihood of him turning pro right away is slim to none...that is my take from it at least.

Oh yeah, I meant that going to Harvard is different than any other school. Guys tend to stay longer, a Harvard degree is so valuable and I believe Harvard doesn't offer scholarships like other schools. It'll be interesting how it plays out is all. I think so teams will be wary of Wahlstrom staying in school longer, but I'm sure thats something they can iron out in draft meetings

Okay yeah I just misread, thought you were implying him being a 1-and-done would be the wary part. I agree that Harvard is a special case. I'm not sure I'd stay away from him for the reasons mentioned, but it's definitely possible it's a concern.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Louis LeBlanc went to Harvard after being drafted by Montreal in 2009. One and done for him, I believe. He is forgettable because he busted.

Yeah and that had nothing to do with Harvard and so much as Louis Leblanc was as predictable a bust as you could get.

 

[Taswell]

I'll do backflips if he falls to one of the Islanders 1st rounders. Him and Barzal would be filthy. But of course, Snow would screw it up.

 

[Vachon23]

What are the chances he plays in the Q for Cape Breton next season? Like 5%? I can hope, would love to get to watch him all season long.

If he cam in the Q I don't think it's to play with Cape Breton.. but If Halifax, Quebec (Because it's Quebec...) or Drummondville trade for his rights maybe he could go in the Q

 

[AmericanDream]

I'll do backflips if he falls to one of the Islanders 1st rounders. Him and Barzal would be filthy. But of course, Snow would screw it up.

I actually think Snow has done a good job at the draft...I would have to revisit a number of picks, but he did land Barzal and Beauvillier just recently, and Kieffer Bellows is going to be a star for you guys.

 

[JK2K]

another decommit? Or a little light on the grades and SAT?

 

[le_sean]

Being accepted to go to Harvard is like winning the lottery for an American family. That place is held in such high esteem. It’s like unlocking a life achievement, it shouldn’t be a knock against him.

Plus, assuming he carves out an NHL career, once he retires, he can go back and finish his degree. Past NHLers get jobs just for being past NHLers, at least he would merit a position with those credentials.

 

[Doublechin]

I am no draft expert but I thought Tkachuk had a very good World Jrs tournament. Doesn't hurt that his brother is killing it for the Flames

Just like Marcel Hossa, Valeri Bure, Wayne Primean, Brent Gretzky, Brett Lindros,

 

[JK2K]

Wow this kid can score. Even turning ME into a believer. Will be interesting to see the U18 WC and what he can do there.