Prospect Info: Tom Willander: 11th Overall 2023 Draft (Rogle BK J20) - Part 02

[Bjornar Moxnes]

points in 3 straight is a good sign, but I still see the same puck management issues while not in high pressure situations. He needs to play a lot and get touches in high stakes situations to fix his biggest flaw. He's already a NHL player without the puck on his stick right now.

Well I think his flaws can be coached.

 

[BluesyShoes]

points in 3 straight is a good sign, but I still see the same puck management issues while not in high pressure situations. He needs to play a lot and get touches in high stakes situations to fix his biggest flaw. He's already a NHL player without the puck on his stick right now.

It looks like he's generating a lot more offensively this year 5 on 5. He's leading the rush into the zone and carrying the puck below the endline here and there in his games now. Last game he generated several chances playing aggressive like that, so to my eye he is getting his touches far more this year. Just a shame he didn't get PP1 duty, although judging by the last game, he's getting a fair amount of PP2 time since PP1 isn't scoring. His PP2 group looks pretty good, lots of puck movement, shot generation, and recovering loose pucks. Not a lot of globetrotting, his group really works as a unit which is good to see, and Willander is the quarterback.

 

[Regal]

You must be in your 90's. Nobody was getting a full ride topping out at 75 mph, I don't care how good your hook was. Having played decent ball and with two guys who got money from big league teams in Aronetz and Macdonald, a guy needs a bit of cheddar to go with the looper.

I took that as that was the initial improvement after learning to pitch then the “arm strength” exploded in April after that.

 

[Breakers]

He’s baby sitting a 17 year old who looks like fish out of water a ton because of the size change from the USHL

at I’ll be shocked if that left side holds up this season once they play the NCHC or BC

 

[LordBacon]

I like big willy.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

Is Hutson gone though? even with another Hutson that may dominate the PP, he needs to assert himself more offensively at this level, just to push his limits and comfort zone. He is on track to be an all situations D one day, I dont mind the weight questions, he is light if you want to compare him with other similarly deployed D, like... Brodin for example, ideally he reaches 200 LBs by 21-22.

I think Willander should hit that weight he's gotta a good frame.

I do think we see more assertiveness from him now that Hutson is gone, I don't see another player getting a system built around him like he did.

Gun to my head tho, I hope the part of his game that gets him to a elite level is his defensive game if the hope is him pairing with Quinn.
There is something very satisfying seeing our dmen become good to really good defensively under these coaches, without being stifled offensively.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

You must be in your 90's. Nobody was getting a full ride topping out at 75 mph, I don't care how good your hook was. Having played decent ball and with two guys who got money from big league teams in Aronetz and Macdonald, a guy needs a bit of cheddar to go with the looper.

Wasn't given a full ride at 75, lol just made the club team.
I was around 82-84 by the time I got serious interest.

My teammate also a lefty was drafted by the rangers, topping at 87. This was in the mid 90's and ya times have really changed that's for sure. There were still guys (mostly righties) that threw gas but another guy Jeff Francis (same local league but a bit younger) had the same range.

Seeing how common TJ surgery is today, the velo had come at a huge cost.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

I took that as that was the initial improvement after learning to pitch then the “arm strength” exploded in April after that.

Yes exactly which is why I used it for Willander since he started so late.

 

[F A N]

Wasn't given a full ride at 75, lol just made the club team.
I was around 82-84 by the time I got serious interest.

My teammate also a lefty was drafted by the rangers, topping at 87. This was in the mid 90's and ya times have really changed that's for sure. There were still guys (mostly righties) that threw gas but another guy Jeff Francis (same local league but a bit younger) had the same range.

Seeing how common TJ surgery is today, the velo had come at a huge cost.

Need more Knuckleballs!

 

[StreetHawk]

Wasn't given a full ride at 75, lol just made the club team.
I was around 82-84 by the time I got serious interest.

My teammate also a lefty was drafted by the rangers, topping at 87. This was in the mid 90's and ya times have really changed that's for sure. There were still guys (mostly righties) that threw gas but another guy Jeff Francis (same local league but a bit younger) had the same range.

Seeing how common TJ surgery is today, the velo had come at a huge cost.

With mlb free agency rules it’s not as profitable to be a P anymore. Teams are not paying ufa pitchers like Price into their late 30’s anymore. Wear and tear on the arm.

Be interesting to see what the dodgers do with Ohtani as a Pitcher moving forward. Will they let him pitch? And if they do what is the pitch count for him?

 

[arttk]

I wonder if the plan is to have him play like half a season in the A next year. Would be good to build up his confidence first before throwing him into the big league.