Prospect Info: Senators Prospect Talk 2014-2015 Part I

[Hossa18]

Rundblad, David.

Yup, lets paint everyone with the same brush because one guy didn't pan out. By the way, Runblad is playing in Chicago's top 6 at the moment.

 

[Xspyrit]

Vikstrand is way better defensively.

And a very different playing style. You probably watch him more than me, what about his gap control and "use" of time and space?

Personally, I think Wikstrand can be something in the middle of Wiercioch and Claesson.

What Wikstrand has over Rundblad that might transfer better to the NHL is a simpler way of thinking the game.

I'm not painting anyone with a brush. I was dis-creditiing the notion that "If wikstrand can log big minutes in the SHL I see no reason why he cant come over and be a good bottom-ish pairing d man/PP guy".

Logging minutes in the SHL means little to saying what they will be when they come over.

Yes, Rundblad is their 7th D, and has played 63 games over 3+ seasons in North America. A guy we pegged "as good, if not better offensively than Karlsson".

People need to realize that our expectations/projections for our prospects are pretty absurd. People are expecting and penciling in the majority we have drafted to be an NHLer.

Wikstrand is a good prospect, he has developed nicely since being an unknown commodity when drafted late. Until he proves he can play a North American game in the AHL I will reserve judgement. I currently see him below only Claesson, and potentially Wideman among the AHL D, but out of those three the only one I believe has a career currently is Claesson.

People talk in best case scenarios and I see nothing wrong that. I see some people always talk in worst case scenarios and that's freaking useless.

The problem is taking those evaluations to the bank like it was a 100% certainty. Let's just not draw conclusions too fast. That's why I try to be careful and say "I think Wikstrand can be". Note the "can" here... instead of removing the "think" and changing "can" for "will"

 

[Karlsson2Turris*]

Wasn't he like the #4 guy on that depth chart, but then the top 3 defencemen for Sweden all got freak injuries that kept them out of the tourney, and elevated Wikstrand to the top spot by default?


*EDIT*
Yeah, I double checked that. Brodin & Klefbom were hurt just as the team was announced, and Hampus Lindholm was hurt in a warm-up game days before the tournament started.

So sure - Wikstrand was the best blueliner they had at the tourney... but it's kind of disingenuous to make that claim without at least putting an asterisk next to it, or something. It doesn't carry the full weight that it really should. He was the #4 guy who got elevated because of freak accidents.

Good on him for stepping his game up and all when they needed him to, but the rest of that blueline was AT BEST "pedestrian".

That's some pretty good players and none of us think he has the potential that they have

 

[Minister of Offence]

Wasn't he like the #4 guy on that depth chart, but then the top 3 defencemen for Sweden all got freak injuries that kept them out of the tourney, and elevated Wikstrand to the top spot by default?


*EDIT*
Yeah, I double checked that. Brodin & Klefbom were hurt just as the team was announced, and Hampus Lindholm was hurt in a warm-up game days before the tournament started.

So sure - Wikstrand was the best blueliner they had at the tourney... but it's kind of disingenuous to make that claim without at least putting an asterisk next to it, or something. It doesn't carry the full weight that it really should. He was the #4 guy who got elevated because of freak accidents.

Good on him for stepping his game up and all when they needed him to, but the rest of that blueline was AT BEST "pedestrian".

I think it's an odd rebuttal . For one, if the injured players didn't exist, he'd be the best guy. He may have been the best D in a weak year.

The above isn't very important. Wikstrand did play very very well in that tournament. For whatever that's worth. I recall saying if we had a 19 year old first rounder in the tourney, I'd be happy if he played like wikstrand.

Clean skater that could accept the puck and move it. Good shot. Looked very much like a kid if not
Mishandled, could very well be an NHL player.

 

[starling]

Harpur & Paul playing for Team OHL on Sportsnet right now

 

[BigBush*]

Liking Paul's game so far. Harpur looks to have a similar style as Cowen

 

[starling]

0-3 after 2.
Not going well so far. Harpur got caught on too many men on the ice that led to PP goal.
Two other goals were scored on counter attacks after Paul's line lost the puck in OZ.

 

[BigBush*]

Rough game for Harpur. Just made a bad pinch that led to a 2 on 0 that russia missed

 

[starling]

Paul had probably the best chance for OHL so far - empty net tap-in in the first but got hooked last second.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

And a very different playing style. You probably watch him more than me, what about his gap control and "use" of time and space?

Personally, I think Wikstrand can be something in the middle of Wiercioch and Claesson.

What Wikstrand has over Rundblad that might transfer better to the NHL is a simpler way of thinking the game.




People talk in best case scenarios and I see nothing wrong that. I see some people always talk in worst case scenarios and that's freaking useless.

The problem is taking those evaluations to the bank like it was a 100% certainty. Let's just not draw conclusions too fast. That's why I try to be careful and say "I think Wikstrand can be". Note the "can" here... instead of removing the "think" and changing "can" for "will"

Vikstrand thinks the game at a high level imo, he excels at closing the gap and knowing where to be but at the same time, his skating might not be good enough where he can get exposed vs NHL defenders. That's the only major knock on him.

Also, the bolded is extremely key. Usually I say "this guy has this ceiling..." and people immediately think that what I or others say refers to what I expect of him to be.

2 completely diff things.

 

[BigBush*]

Yikes Harpur hit to the head, would be a game or 2 suspension

 

[starling]

Game over for Harpur. Game misconduct for check to the head.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Lindberg continues hot play.

1 goal 2 assists +3 last game.

22 points 9 goals in 17 games +8.

 

[Six Assets]

Lindberg continues hot play.

1 goal 2 assists +3 last game.

22 points 9 goals in 17 games +8.

I can see him becoming a Carl Hagelin type player.

 

[mianjo]

Ben Harpur suspended 3 games for last nights incident against the Russians.

 

[Savitar]

Francios Perron scores his 13th goal of the season in the 2nd Periodd tonight, game still on he could have more

 

[Laoghaire]

I can see him becoming a Carl Hagelin type player.

But he isn't quick so how? Cause he's Swedish?

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

But he isn't quick so how? Cause he's Swedish?

He's very fast...

 

[Burrowsaurus]

He's very fast...

He's not hagelin fast though. Nor is he small. Seems like prototypical 3rd 4th line LW.

After going through the battalion website and searching for all of Paul's goals. I see a much slower rick Nash. Just the way he takes the puck to the net and is able to go inside out on d men. When we get a hold of him and start working on his skating. Gonna be a good player.

 

[Six Assets]

Hagelin is a solid 3rd liner, TL also has bottom 6 potential

 

[Six Assets]

He's not hagelin fast though. Nor is he small. Seems like prototypical 3rd 4th line LW.

After going through the battalion website and searching for all of Paul's goals. I see a much slower rick Nash. Just the way he takes the puck to the net and is able to go inside out on d men. When we get a hold of him and start working on his skating. Gonna be a good player.

I was talking about lindberg

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I was talking about lindberg

I know. As was I for the first paragraph.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Buffalo with mcdavid/ eichel , reinhardt, girgensons down the middle is going to be scary.
Not to mention Myers (maybe) zadorov, ristolainen on the back end.

 

[Six Assets]

Buffalo with mcdavid/ eichel , reinhardt, girgensons down the middle is going to be scary.
Not to mention Myers (maybe) zadorov, ristolainen on the back end.

I think everyone expects them to be a vary good team in the future

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I think everyone expects them to be a vary good team in the future

Some think any team that is bad and drafts really good players first overall are going to be just like Edmonton. I don't think buffalo Will.
My other point is it's good to be bad in the short term so that you can be great in the long term.