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

[My3Sons]

Maybe it's time to edit the thread title if he isn't going to Harvard or at least note it's speculation at this point?

 

[My3Sons]

when was the last time a top 10 choice waited 4 yrs to graduate and then join big club

When was the last time time a top 10 choice attended Harvard? I'm not trying to be snarky. I know Harvard has turned out a number of players previously, but has it ever turned out top tier talent? The Harvard retention rate may be more an issue of players not being good enough to leave more so than wanting to stay which I get you are suggesting, but I'm curious if Harvard has any real track record on this or if people are just assuming everyone who goes to Harvard are Vesey and Kerfoot?

 

[PWJunior]

When was the last time time a top 10 choice attended Harvard? I'm not trying to be snarky. I know Harvard has turned out a number of players previously, but has it ever turned out top tier talent? The Harvard retention rate may be more an issue of players not being good enough to leave more so than wanting to stay which I get you are suggesting, but I'm curious if Harvard has any real track record on this or if people are just assuming everyone who goes to Harvard are Vesey and Kerfoot?

Louis LeBlanc went to Harvard for one year after being drafted in 2009.

 

[Whalers Fan]

I'd say close to no way. Not ready , not close to ready imo

Yes, he definitely needs some additional seasoning before playing in the NHL.

 

[AmericanDream]

another strong game from Oliver in my eyes - made a few mistakes but worked hard and got back on the backcheck...scores another great goal by working hard in front of the net...just not sure what more you want from a kid that can likely hit 40 goals in the NHL,.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

another strong game from Oliver in my eyes - made a few mistakes but worked hard and got back on the backcheck...scores another great goal by working hard in front of the net...just not sure what more you want from a kid that can likely hit 40 goals in the NHL,.

I dont think he carries the play enough to hit 40. maybe if he gets stapled to an elite playmaker, but otherwise. meh

 

[AmericanDream]

I dont think he carries the play enough to hit 40. maybe if he gets stapled to an elite playmaker, but otherwise. meh

don't need to carry the play to hit 40, but I understand some will not agree. he just knows how to score goals from everywhere...should be a consistent 30-40 goal scorer year in and year out. whatever he lacks he makes up where it matters most -goals on the board

 

[GoldiFox]

I dont think he carries the play enough to hit 40. maybe if he gets stapled to an elite playmaker, but otherwise. meh

Was my first game getting a real close look - so small sample size. He was giving up too many forced and unforced turnovers in the offensive zone today for my liking. Seems like he has monster instincts when he is tunneled in on the net but his offensive anticipation/IQ is lacking otherwise. Agree that he will need a good playmaker.

Opposite was Farabee. He always has his head up and has great anticipation in all zones. Like a chess player always a few moves ahead.

 

[boredmale]

When was the last time time a top 10 choice attended Harvard? I'm not trying to be snarky. I know Harvard has turned out a number of players previously, but has it ever turned out top tier talent? The Harvard retention rate may be more an issue of players not being good enough to leave more so than wanting to stay which I get you are suggesting, but I'm curious if Harvard has any real track record on this or if people are just assuming everyone who goes to Harvard are Vesey and Kerfoot?

I could be wrong but I heard Havard doesn't give out sport scholarships, so players that choose there pay their own way

 

[AmericanDream]

I could be wrong but I heard Havard doesn't give out sport scholarships, so players that choose there pay their own way

correct.

 

[My3Sons]

I could be wrong but I heard Havard doesn't give out sport scholarships, so players that choose there pay their own way

True but Harvard has remarkably generous financial aid. I imagine that if you are good enough the college finds some way to provide enough grant in aid to make it affordable for the parents.

 

[AmericanDream]

Was my first game getting a real close look - so small sample size. He was giving up too many forced and unforced turnovers in the offensive zone today for my liking. Seems like he has monster instincts when he is tunneled in on the net but his offensive anticipation/IQ is lacking otherwise. Agree that he will need a good playmaker.

Opposite was Farabee. He always has his head up and has great anticipation in all zones. Like a chess player always a few moves ahead.

he made some bad passes today, but hustled his butt back to retrieve the puck as well..Hughes made some real bad in zones passes as well..these kids will be a bit sloppy and like I have said, you take the good with the bad and Wahlstrom scores goals, that is the whole point of this game.

 

[Frk It]

he made some bad passes today, but hustled his butt back to retrieve the puck as well..Hughes made some real bad in zones passes as well..these kids will be a bit sloppy and like I have said, you take the good with the bad and Wahlstrom scores goals, that is the whole point of this game.

A whole lot of nitpicking going on in here...

 

[Jez]

There is a weird narrative going on with Wahlstrom. He made mistakes on some passes but I also thought he moved the puck well on the PP and in the OZ in general all tournament.

I saw him chase the puck carrier several times and win the puck back after he lost it. He is supremely talented offensively, doesn't hesitate to drive the net and hunt for rebonds. He has the best shot in the draft and he is one of the youngest of the top prospects. He is 7 months younger than Zadina for example.

Yeah he isn't going to win a Selke but he is also 17. People need to chill.

 

[Get North]

I want to compare Wahlstrom to Boeser, but Boeser seems way more engaged offensively and reads the overall play better than Wahlstrom. Brock has a better shot off the release, Wahlstrom can maybe carry the play better because he's a quicker skater, but I don't think he has that vision and hockey sense Boeser has (which is underrated).

I see something like a T.J Oshie/Cam Atkinson.

 

[JiggsNY]

There is a weird narrative going on with Wahlstrom. He made mistakes on some passes but I also thought he moved the puck well on the PP and in the OZ in general all tournament.

I saw him chase the puck carrier several times and win the puck back after he lost it. He is supremely talented offensively, doesn't hesitate to drive the net and hunt for rebonds. He has the best shot in the draft and he is one of the youngest of the top prospects. He is 7 months younger than Zadina for example.

Yeah he isn't going to win a Selke but he is also 17. People need to chill.

Yeah the past couple weeks all the sudden people have been hyper-scutinizing small things in his play/ defense. And while some may be right, to me, when youre drafting in the top 10 im not drafting a forward to play defense, I'm drafting a top 10 pick like him for his offense and goal scoring

 

[Jez]

Yeah the past couple weeks all the sudden people have been hyper-scutinizing small things in his play/ defense. And while some may be right, to me, when youre drafting in the top 10 im not drafting a forward to play defense, I'm drafting a top 10 pick like him for his offense and goal scoring

Exactly. I really believe that you should be looking for ceiling not floor in the draft. You are looking for dynamic traits. Otherwise it's how you end up picking guys like Lawson Crouse in the top 10 (or 11 ok).

I think Wahlstrom is at worst the 4th best forward (I have him as the 2nd best F) of the draft.

 

[Dump Itch]

Louis LeBlanc went to Harvard for one year after being drafted in 2009.

Exactly. Look at how he turned out. Wahlstrom should avoid Harvard if he wants to carve out a good NHL career.

 

[schnapshot]

Exactly. Look at how he turned out. Wahlstrom should avoid Harvard if he wants to carve out a good NHL career.

Harvard didn’t have anything to do with Leblanc busting.

 

[AmericanDream]

Exactly. Look at how he turned out. Wahlstrom should avoid Harvard if he wants to carve out a good NHL career.

yep, Adam Fox and Ryan Donato have been ruined there as well....

 

[schnapshot]

yep, Adam Fox and Ryan Donato have been ruined there as well....

Don’t forget Alex Kerfoot

 

[AmericanDream]

I want to compare Wahlstrom to Boeser, but Boeser seems way more engaged offensively and reads the overall play better than Wahlstrom. Brock has a better shot off the release, Wahlstrom can maybe carry the play better because he's a quicker skater, but I don't think he has that vision and hockey sense Boeser has (which is underrated).

I see something like a T.J Oshie/Cam Atkinson.

Brock had same "issues" if you could even call them that as Wahlstrom now...difference is you are comparing Boeser after 2 years of college and a season in the NHL...he learned to better his overall game and Oliver will too. I compare Wahlstrom to Boeser all the time, I think they will be very similar snipers at the NHL level...Wahlstrom is elite in some of the most important categories, he can and will work on the rest just like Boeser did.

 

[Frk It]

I want to compare Wahlstrom to Boeser, but Boeser seems way more engaged offensively and reads the overall play better than Wahlstrom. Brock has a better shot off the release, Wahlstrom can maybe carry the play better because he's a quicker skater, but I don't think he has that vision and hockey sense Boeser has (which is underrated).

I see something like a T.J Oshie/Cam Atkinson.

Keep in mind you’re comparing a 17 year old to a 21 year old.

Boeser had question marks too, or he wouldn’t have went 23rd. I don’t think Wahlstrom is like Oshie or Atkinson at all, really. But that’s just me.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Top 10 pick is not an issue . Is he a top 5 pick? I have him outside the top 5. But at that 4/5 pick quite a few players can slot in there .. I think there are a few players that are pretty even that will fall in the 4-8 even 9 spots. It would not surprise me to see him at 4,5,6 or 7

 

[tony d]

I have a top 4 of Dahlin, Svechnikov, Zadina and Boqvist. Wahlstrom is one of the guys I see going at 5, have to see what happens.