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

[Ola]

I’ve always liked Wahlstrom and I am glad to hear that he is playing well! Still counting on him to play for Sweden when he is done with juniors, supposedly he wanted to play for Sweden but didn’t want to turn down the US Nat Program...

But I haven’t seen him since early this season and when I see him raise as high as some are predicting him to go — I just wanted to ask what you guys think about the intensity in his skating? Going by what I saw early this season I would definitely say that his intensity in his skating was a little low to start to climb up towards 2-3. Has he improved his speed/intensity a lot during the season? Is he playing with more tempo in his game?

 

[93LEAFS]

I’ve always liked Wahlstrom and I am glad to hear that he is playing well! Still counting on him to play for Sweden when he is done with juniors, supposedly he wanted to play for Sweden but didn’t want to turn down the US Nat Program...

But I haven’t seen him since early this season and when I see him raise as high as some are predicting him to go — I just wanted to ask what you guys think about the intensity in his skating? Going by what I saw early this season I would definitely say that his intensity in his skating was a little low to start to climb up towards 2-3. Has he improved his speed/intensity a lot during the season? Is he playing with more tempo in his game?

It is unlikely he would ever be allowed to play for Sweden. One, he's played for the USA in official events which make it nearly impossible to switch. Secondly, he has never lived in Sweden. To represent a country at an IIHF event, you have to have played in that country for at least 2 years of your development past the age of 12.

William Nylander got around this rule due to the fact he found himself in a situation, where he technically couldn't represent any country. (Born in Canada and developed in the USA with no citizenship, moved back to Sweden at 15 and wasn't there long enough before the U-18's in his 16 year old season).

 

[Ola]

It is unlikely he would ever be allowed to play for Sweden. One, he's played for the USA in official events which make it nearly impossible to switch. Secondly, he has never lived in Sweden. To represent a country at an IIHF event, you have to have played in that country for at least 2 years of your development past the age of 12.

William Nylander got around this rule due to the fact he found himself in a situation, where he technically couldn't represent any country. (Born in Canada and developed in the USA with no citizenship, moved back to Sweden at 15 and wasn't there long enough before the U-18's in his 16 year old season).

I was mostly joking, he said that he wanted to represent Sweden when he was like 11. But under Section 406 of the IIHF statues Wahlstrom has not represented USA in an IIHF Championship (men’s WCH or the OGs).

But since he has dual citizenship’s he must somehow get 480 days in Swedish hockey which probably will be tricky. Or I am not even sure he has dual citizenship’s, but if he does.

 

[wings5]

Find it crazy how this kid remained a top prospect after his name popped up years ago. His shootout goal from when he was 13 went viral and he hasn't faded after that hype. Hope he keeps it up , would be cool.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

Honestly I think he should be up in the tier of Svechnikov and Zadina and above the defenders+Tkachuk.
This guy is the next Brock Boeser.

 

[canucks4ever]

Wahlstrom is younger than Zadina and putting up better numbers. He should be ranked ahead.

 

[schnapshot]

Wahlstrom is younger than Zadina and putting up better numbers. He should be ranked ahead.

Not playing in the same leagues.

 

[Synergy27]

This guy is tailor made for the NY Rangers.

 

[canucks4ever]

Not playing in the same leagues.

Your right, Zadina is playing in a league where it is generally easier to compile points and he's older.

 

[Peasy]

Your right, Zadina is playing in a league where it is generally easier to compile points and he's older.

Zadina is also the best player on his team, while Wahlstrom is not.

 

[schnapshot]

Your right, Zadina is playing in a league where it is generally easier to compile points and he's older.

It’s true, many players have scored 40+ goals in the CHL their draft year, easy feat.

Wahlstrom plays with Hughes against lesser opposition. I personally like Zadina only slightly better but you can’t just compare their stats like that.

 

[canucks4ever]

Zadina is also the best player on his team, while Wahlstrom is not.

That doesn't mean anything, Jack Hughes is far better than Zadina.

 

[canucks4ever]

It’s true, many players have scored 40+ goals in the CHL their draft year, easy feat.

Wahlstrom plays with Hughes against lesser opposition. I personally like Zadina only slightly better but you can’t just compare their stats like that.

We'll see who ends up being the better NHL player.

 

[Peasy]

That doesn't mean anything, Jack Hughes is far better than Zadina.

You don't say?

The point is that its generally easier to produce when you're playing with better players.

Look at Bellows production his draft year. I'm sure it helped he was glued with Keller.

 

[canucks4ever]

You don't say?

The point is that its easier to produce when you're playing with better players.

Look at Bellows production his draft year. I'm sure it helped he was glued with Keller.

You're right, so many NTDP alumni have put up similar numbers to wahlstrom.

 

[Peasy]

You're right, so many NTDP alumni have put up similar numbers to wahlstrom.

Nice strawman argument.

 

[canucks4ever]

Nice strawman argument.

What are you talking about? What Zadina is doing in the qmjhl is nothing special.

Tell me, what exactly do you project Zadina to be in the nhl?

 

[schnapshot]

What are you talking about? What Zadina is doing in the qmjhl is nothing special.

Tell me, what exactly do you project Zadina to be in the nhl?

It is pretty special. He has similar production as Hischier (another european who played only one year in the Q) with more goals, on the same team too. Hischier is a better playmaker while Zadina is a better scorer.

Kieffer Bellows had pretty good stats in the USDP and he couldn’t outscore Zadina in his D+2 season in the WHL. He’s also a sniper.

I bet Zadina’s 7 goals in 7 games at the WJC were nothing special either.

I also bet you think you could score lots of goals in the Q eh

 

[canucks4ever]

It is pretty special. He has similar production as Hischier (another european who played only one year in the Q) with more goals, on the same team too. Hischier is a better playmaker while Zadina is a better scorer.

Kieffer Bellows had pretty good stats in the USDP and he couldn’t outscore Zadina in his D+2 season in the WHL. He’s also a sniper.

I bet Zadina’s 7 goals in 7 games at the WJC were nothing special either.

I also bet you think you could score lots of goals in the Q eh

Kieffer Bellows averaged 1.39 ppg, wahlstrom is averaging 1.75

 

[schnapshot]

Kieffer Bellows averaged 1.39 ppg, wahlstrom is averaging 1.75

That’s all you have as a comeback? Of all the things I listed? Lol

 

[canucks4ever]

That’s all you have as a comeback? Of all the things I listed? Lol

Comeback? I'm mentioning facts. There is a reason wahlstrom is a better prospect.

 

[schnapshot]

Comeback? I'm mentioning facts. There is a reason wahlstrom is a better prospect.

I listed why Zadina is considered a better prospect (albeit by not much) and you proceeded to point out Wahlstrom’s PPG compared to Bellows, which wasn’t even my point to begin with. So you didn’t understand what I was trying to say.

Zadina did better in his draft year than Bellows, another USDP sniper and first round pick, did in his D+2 season in the CHL. Which is why he’s a special prospect (you claimed what he did was nothing special). Scoring 44 goals in your draft year is very impressive.

Really not that complicated. Zadina’s performance at the WJC also showed he can score and dominate against older competition.

 

[canucks4ever]

You also left out the fact that Zadina is 11 months older than Hischier in their respective draft years. Yeah that doesn't make a difference.

 

[schnapshot]

You also left out the fact that Zadina is 11 months older than Hischier in their respective draft years. Yeah that doesn't make a difference.

Ok, and Zadina is only 7 months older than Wahlstrom, do you really think it makes a huge difference? Because if so, you’re out to lunch.

Here’s a fun fact for you: Zadina this year has outscored every CHL pick from the 2016 and 2017 drafts (their draft year). He also outscored every CHL pick from 2015 except McDavid. Nothing special

 

[canucks4ever]

Ok, and Zadina is only 7 months older than Wahlstrom, do you really think it makes a huge difference? Because if so, you’re out to lunch.

Here’s a fun fact for you: Zadina this year has outscored every CHL pick from the 2016 and 2017 drafts (their draft year). He also outscored every CHL pick from 2015 except McDavid. Nothing special

7 months is a big difference lol, 11 months is a gigantic difference. What do you project Zadina to be? I see Zadina as a 55-65 point scorer in the NHL? How about you?