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

[Sens of Anarchy]

Must be autocorrect

Sergachev , Svechnikov .. you know that really good Russian guy playing in the O... . Thanks fixed ... brain fart

 

[Peeps]

Watch the whole CAN/USA game today.

He doesn't skate a whole lot when he doesn't have the puck. Also the back check isn't the best. But he's aware of the defense play he needs to do it seems. But doesn't want to be active (skate a whole lot) in is own zone.

BUT

Obviously, really nice hands, puck protection and shot. Scored an amazing wrist shot and then a nice one timer.

Really creative with the puck coming in in the O-zone. Do little dekes to confuse the D-men and then can safely enter the zone, and give the puck to someone else to receive the puck later and shoot.

I think he could improve his involvement in the game with the way he skates in general. But it's not a bad thing either. He can conserve more energy that way.

 

[schnapshot]

Watch the whole CAN/USA game today.

He doesn't skate a whole lot when he doesn't have the puck. Also the back check isn't the best. But he's aware of the defense play he needs to do it seems. But doesn't want to be active (skate a whole lot) in is own zone.

BUT

Obviously, really nice hands, puck protection and shot. Scored an amazing wrist shot and then a nice one timer.

Really creative with the puck coming in in the O-zone. Do little dekes to confuse the D-men and then can safely enter the zone, and give the puck to someone else to receive the puck later and shoot.

I think he could improve his involvement in the game with the way he skates in general. But it's not a bad thing either. He can conserve more energy that way.

That’s often the thing with snipers. Since they can (and usually do) score from further away, they tend to look for open spots and look less involved in the play (and skate less) because they’re waiting for a pass.

 

[DatDude44]

Watch the whole CAN/USA game today.

He doesn't skate a whole lot when he doesn't have the puck. Also the back check isn't the best. But he's aware of the defense play he needs to do it seems. But doesn't want to be active (skate a whole lot) in is own zone.

BUT

Obviously, really nice hands, puck protection and shot. Scored an amazing wrist shot and then a nice one timer.

Really creative with the puck coming in in the O-zone. Do little dekes to confuse the D-men and then can safely enter the zone, and give the puck to someone else to receive the puck later and shoot.

I think he could improve his involvement in the game with the way he skates in general. But it's not a bad thing either. He can conserve more energy that way.

I just watched as well. 100% agree. I thought his play away from the puck was terrible, he seemed lazy a few times, took bad angles forechecking and didn't back check hard. Seemed to have his back to the puck a lot.

That being said, you can see the talent, His 1st goal was absolutely filthy, changing the angle on that shot and nipping it top corner as well as the one-t.

You can teach him how to play away from the puck through video etc, and work on angles etc...You know whatever NHL team drafts him will harp on the little things and getting him to understand the details of the game he needs to make it at the next level.

His ability with the puck is obvious, still love him as a top 7 pick and think with some seasoning can be a 40 goal scorer in the NHL.

I will say i don't want to take one full game into my entire scouting report on him but i was honestly shocked at how bad he was away from the puck.

 

[Thebesthockey]

JT Miller 2.0

 

[schnapshot]

JT Miller 2.0

Sure, JT Miller and his 3 goals in 15 games at the USDP easily stacks up with Wahlstrom's 22 goals in 26 games.

H.O.T. take my friend

 

[AmericanDream]

who gives a shit about defense..lol....why do we do this to players, like every player is supposed to be gifted 2-way players??? I just don't get it., I have seen enough grinders, give me a damn goal scorer dammit! He reminds me of Laine, in a lot of ways.. He has elite hands and shot, but does he need to work harder away from the puck? Yep, so does 90% of the other prospects out there as well at forward. I will say this, the kid hits a lot and engages the opposition more than most goal scorers do. He threw 2-3 pretty filthy hits out there, he isn't afraid to hit or go into the dirty areas.

kid is a goal scorer not a selke winner....not drafting him for what he does without the puck, which was said above can be taught and worked on... which I didn't see much of an issue out there today to be honest...

 

[Frk It]

If he goes the NCAA route, I bet his game will round just fine.

But he is a dynamic scorer with an elite shot. And he is on the young side for this draft class. The upside is tremendous with this kid. I think he will score a lot of goals in the NHL some day.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Hurrrr durrrr muh physical and defense game tkachuk 4 Lyfe

Wahlstrom is going to be a lethal sniper in the NHL.

 

[Naslund]

Wahlstrom and Poehling would be such a natural duo. Put Drouin or Galchenyuk on that line and it would be something fun to watch.

 

[Peeps]

who gives a **** about defense..lol....why do we do this to players, like every player is supposed to be gifted 2-way players??? I just don't get it., I have seen enough grinders, give me a damn goal scorer dammit! He reminds me of Laine, in a lot of ways.. He has elite hands and shot, but does he need to work harder away from the puck? Yep, so does 90% of the other prospects out there as well at forward. I will say this, the kid hits a lot and engages the opposition more than most goal scorers do. He threw 2-3 pretty filthy hits out there, he isn't afraid to hit or go into the dirty areas.

kid is a goal scorer not a selke winner....not drafting him for what he does without the puck, which was said above can be taught and worked on... which I didn't see much of an issue out there today to be honest...

I see what you mean.

I think the thing with player like Wahlstrom is because he will be a top 10 and even top 5 player in the draft, so you want to scout him in depth.

We obviously know he is gifted as a forward. But can he do the rest at least at a good level?

I think that when you draft a player in the top 10, you want the best there is available.

Kinda like Strome in 2015. Picked 3rd instead of Marner (4th), Rantanen (10th) and Barzal (16th).

Strome is gifted as a forward, but he's lacking in other area.

Not saying Wahlstrom will be like Strome. Just saying it's important to look at every aspects of a prospect game before he's getting draft.

 

[PWJunior]

who gives a **** about defense..lol....why do we do this to players, like every player is supposed to be gifted 2-way players??? I just don't get it., I have seen enough grinders, give me a damn goal scorer dammit! He reminds me of Laine, in a lot of ways.. He has elite hands and shot, but does he need to work harder away from the puck? Yep, so does 90% of the other prospects out there as well at forward. I will say this, the kid hits a lot and engages the opposition more than most goal scorers do. He threw 2-3 pretty filthy hits out there, he isn't afraid to hit or go into the dirty areas.

kid is a goal scorer not a selke winner....not drafting him for what he does without the puck, which was said above can be taught and worked on... which I didn't see much of an issue out there today to be honest...

How does Wahlstrom compare to Owen Tippett from last year's class?

 

[AmericanDream]

I see what you mean.

I think the thing with player like Wahlstrom is because he will be a top 10 and even top 5 player in the draft, so you want to scout him in depth.

We obviously know he is gifted as a forward. But can he do the rest at least at a good level?

I think that when you draft a player in the top 10, you want the best there is available.

Kinda like Strome in 2015. Picked 3rd instead of Marner (4th), Rantanen (10th) and Barzal (16th).

Strome is gifted as a forward, but he's lacking in other area.

Not saying Wahlstrom will be like Strome. Just saying it's important to look at every aspects of a prospect game before he's getting draft.

I just think we start over-analyzing kids. We need goal scorers to be goal scorers sometimes...it is just good for the game. Ovechkin plays a physical game, but damn can he float and be lazy as well...it just seems like most of the top goal scorers are in this mold of not being "engaged" the other end of the ice...and I don't typically look at it as a knock, they have a gift and that is why they are on the ice...plenty of other guys who can play shutdown roles.

The kid scores two beautiful goals, throws a number of big hits out there and I come on here to see posts that he isn't the best player away from the puck or might be a bit lazy at times in his own zone....sorry, to me not a single scout came away with that concern as its the one thing that can be learned/taught....and even if not like I said above as shown by other top goal scorers...who gives a shit!! lol...enjoy the show man!

 

[vcanuck]

wonder if he will drop to 7th or 8th spot for my Nucks to take

 

[AmericanDream]

and fyi, I did a shot every time Button compared Wahlstrom to Mike Bossy - got a bit buzzed there I must say!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

How does Wahlstrom compare to Owen Tippett from last year's class?

I've made that comparison before.

I think they are very similar. I think there's a misconception by some about the type of player that Wahlstrom is. Some have asked if he can play center, some claim he's a good assist guy.

He's a pure sniper, doesn't give much effort in any zone, not the highest hockey IQ, not much of a playmaker, but he'll put the puck in the net. Is that a player who can be a star and how much value does a player of that skill-set have? Most of the best snipers in the league, whether its Ovechkin or Laine or Tarasenko or Stamkos, are much better at other parts of the game than Wahlstrom. I see Wahlstrom as like a 30-30 guy in his prime, but maybe 25-25 with regularity. I think he'll be a good player, I don't think he has enough besides the shot to his game to be a star.

 

[NA Hockey]

I agree, NHL level shot, quick release, accurate and heavy BUT doesn't make those around him better. If paired with an elite playmaker he will score and he will score often.

 

[AmericanDream]

I agree, NHL level shot, quick release, accurate and heavy BUT doesn't make those around him better. If paired with an elite playmaker he will score and he will score often.

I have been saying it the past 18 months plus on him, he is a bit bigger/physical Brock Boeser (stockier build). The shot accuracy and velocity these two have is uncanny...they can score and usually do from anywhere. They both are not the best skaters, but I like Oliver a bit better in that department, and I think both are underrated passers...these kids love to shoot the damn puck, but I have seen numerous nice dishes when the situation calls for it from both...just shoot first kids who aren't leading the rush to get those pretty assists and passes, they are the ones sitting back waiting to "RIFLE MAN" a one-timer through the net.

 

[boredmale]

I agree, NHL level shot, quick release, accurate and heavy BUT doesn't make those around him better. If paired with an elite playmaker he will score and he will score often.

Sounds like a great fit for the Islanders if he slips to 10

 

[AmericanDream]

Sounds like a great fit for the Islanders if he slips to 10

he won't, thanks for sucking less than we did this year at tanking the last week of the season, lol! Wahlstrom will not go past the Hawks pick if it is in the 7-8 range...just not going to happen..happy to eat crow if wrong on here, this is a Bowman love child!!

 

[boredmale]

he won't, thanks for sucking less than we did this year at tanking the last week of the season, lol! Wahlstrom will not go past the Hawks pick if it is in the 7-8 range...just not going to happen..happy to eat crow if wrong on here, this is a Bowman love child!!

Yeah we had a terrible last week winning 3 games.

Only good thing if Wahlstrom is picked is if I had to picked based on position I much rather draft centers and defense with our 2 picks, all that being said a goal scoring RW could be useful(I would be less interested in a LW)

 

[IPreferPi]

How does Wahlstrom compare to Owen Tippett from last year's class?

Wahlstrom has significantly better overall hockey sense and puck skills. He’s definitely shoot first but is poised with passing the puck. Tippett screamed Evander Kane to me whereas I get a more Boeser/Pacioretty vibe from Wahlstrom.

 

[AmericanDream]

Yeah we had a terrible last week winning 3 games.

Only good thing if Wahlstrom is picked is if I had to picked based on position I much rather draft centers and defense with our 2 picks, all that being said a goal scoring RW could be useful(I would be less interested in a LW)

you guys have Kieffer Bellows coming, so help on the wing is coming shortly. looking at how horrible the defense was, and I know the system was non existent this year, but you guys would do well with grabbing a Bouchard or Dobson at your spot IMO. I would love the Hawks to get either if Wahlstrom and Tkachuk are gone by our pick.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I have been saying it the past 18 months plus on him, he is a bit bigger/physical Brock Boeser (stockier build). The shot accuracy and velocity these two have is uncanny...they can score and usually do from anywhere. They both are not the best skaters, but I like Oliver a bit better in that department, and I think both are underrated passers...these kids love to shoot the damn puck, but I have seen numerous nice dishes when the situation calls for it from both...just shoot first kids who aren't leading the rush to get those pretty assists and passes, they are the ones sitting back waiting to "RIFLE MAN" a one-timer through the net.

I think Oliver is a very good skater, but he doesn't use it as much as he could. I don't know what it is. He could score more points if he used his skating to generate odd man rushes, but he usually just stands around and lets everyone else skate with the puck, unless he's in a situation where he absolutely has to.

 

[AmericanDream]

I think Oliver is a very good skater, but he doesn't use it as much as he could. I don't know what it is. He could score more points if he used his skating to generate odd man rushes, but he usually just stands around and lets everyone else skate with the puck, unless he's in a situation where he absolutely has to.

f***ing prima donna!! lol!