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

[Regress2TheMeme]

If the Canucks really believe in Willander I hope they go out and get a very solid LHD to bolster the top 4. Then Willander gets to play with one of Hughes, Soucey or Byram/Sandhiem/etc no matter what pairing he ends up on.

 

[nucksflailtogether]

I'm less excited about this player and more relieved that he's coming. I know he's not Tanev but we've needed someone in that vein since the moment he left.

 

[sting101]

If the Canucks really believe in Willander I hope they go out and get a very solid LHD to bolster the top 4. Then Willander gets to play with one of Hughes, Soucey or Byram/Sandhiem/etc no matter what pairing he ends up on.

One of the reasons i wanted Zadorov signed was to end up being a on ice mentor/protector for Willander.

Big Z is lazy through 82 games. Having young Willander would have brought out the best of both players. Z would have had a elite skating high energy guy who plays with enthusiasm on the ice to feed off of. While young Willander would have a massive veteran protector.

Hughes Hronek
Soucy Myers
Zadorov Willander

with EP2 and Mynio coming would have been a good looking D core

 

[Regress2TheMeme]

One of the reasons i wanted Zadorov signed was to end up being a on ice mentor/protector for Willander.

Big Z is lazy through 82 games. Having young Willander would have brought out the best of both players. Z would have had a elite skating high energy guy who plays with enthusiasm on the ice to feed off of. While young Willander would have a massive veteran protector.

Hughes Hronek
Soucy Myers
Zadorov Willander

with EP2 and Mynio coming would have been a good looking D core

I miss big Zads for sure. He gave this team an identity almost all by himself. But if Alvin can bring in a more polished two-way player at a similar ballpark salary I think we could say it was worth it to let Zadorov walk. Sandhiem at 6.5 mil would be amazing, imo.

 

[LemonSauceD]

He will sign, then play enough games to burn an ELC year. After this, whether he's here or in Abby is up to the coaches and GM. Canucks really need him to be more like McAvoy and walk into the NHL after 2 NCAA seasons at BU. Blueline needs the help and mobility. But, that's a lot to ask from a 20 year old.

If he signs this year he automatically burns a year off his ELC.

 

[timw33]

If he signs this year he automatically burns a year off his ELC.

Yep, would have only slid if he signed last year. They go by age in the calendar year the contract is signed for the slide rule. He's 20 in 2025, so no slide available, but would become a 10.2C without offer arb or offer sheet rights after his contract expires.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Looks like he’s getting 1st line reps on PP1 with ASP. He looks like he’s going to get a ton of ice time this tournament.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Looks like he’s getting 1st line reps on PP1 with ASP. He looks like he’s going to get a ton of ice time this tournament.

Robin to ASP’s Batman.

 

[1440]

ASP wears the C, but Willander was being used as the number 1 in game 1: first unit powerplay and first unit penalty kill, leading SWE in ice time.

Willander and Lindstein were the best pairing in the tournament last year, and game one was more of the same complete dominance in terms of pick possession against an admittedly overmatched Slovakian team.

I would not put too much stock in ASP scoring three... He isn't going to shoot 27% over the course of the tournament, especially with most of his shots coming from the blueline.

 

[iceburg]

Pretty excited about this prospect. I get that there's some Juolevi PTSD, especially because he was taken before ASP and is viewed by some as a reach at #11. But, as others have said, he's projected to be exactly what the Canucks need. On a high end D-core both Soucy and Myers would be better placed on a third pairing and Juulsen, Forbort, Desharnais would be in the 7-9 slots.

If they target a 2nd pairing LHD in trade or FA to play behind Hughes and Willander develops closer to his upside then their top four could be solid for years to come. The problem is that scenario is a couple of years away and Myers isn't a great stop gap if their plan is to win a cup.

 

[Brock Boeser Laser Show]

Pretty excited about this prospect. I get that there's some Juolevi PTSD, especially because he was taken before ASP and is viewed by some as a reach at #11. But, as others have said, he's projected to be exactly what the Canucks need. On a high end D-core both Soucy and Myers would be better placed on a third pairing and Juulsen, Forbort, Desharnais would be in the 7-9 slots.

If they target a 2nd pairing LHD in trade or FA to play behind Hughes and Willander develops closer to his upside then their top four could be solid for years to come. The problem is that scenario is a couple of years away and Myers isn't a great stop gap if their plan is to win a cup.

Gavrikov would be the perfect fit to round out the defense. Hoping he reaches free agency.

 

[iceburg]

Gavrikov would be the perfect fit to round out the defense. Hoping he reaches free agency.

I agree.

 

[BluesyShoes]

Sweden has a soft pool this year. Looking forward to watching the elimination rounds. Willy looks pretty good so far, can't remember the last time I watched a WJC d-man with body language that looks as relaxed as his on defense.

 

[tradervik]

Sweden has a soft pool this year. Looking forward to watching the elimination rounds. Willy looks pretty good so far, can't remember the last time I watched a WJC d-man with body language that looks as relaxed as his on defense.

Did Willander play with a cigarette in his mouth?

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

I doNT like Button calling him Tommy, I spent too much time watching BU guy, but he never calls him Tommy. did he also said that last wjc?

 

[BluesyShoes]

I doNT like Button calling him Tommy, I spent too much time watching BU guy, but he never calls him Tommy. did he also said that last wjc?

I can't say for sure, but I do know Button has been pretty high on him for awhile, so it may just be his own pet name for him? I haven't heard anyone else call him Tommy.

Did Willander play with a cigarette in his mouth?

You kid, but the guy does always have his mouthguard casually hanging out lol.

 

[racerjoe]

Did Willander play with a cigarette in his mouth?

He is too young… he has a vape now…

 

[Curm]

Willander looks like a great prospect so far, no regrets about that pick, regardless of how players selected after him are performing

 

[theguardianII]

I know he is a Canuck prospect one of the best the team has but,

To me he isn't looking like a difference maker. It is hard to tell so far because the Swede's have been rolling over the competition.

I would expect a NHL ready player, as many fans here think, would have a higher profile and impact on the junior game.

Future NHL player, ya, top pairing? Not so far.

That Pettersson kid seemed to be more prevalent when he played.

 

[Baby Pettersson]

I know he is a Canuck prospect one of the best the team has but,

To me he isn't looking like a difference maker. It is hard to tell so far because the Swede's have been rolling over the competition.

I would expect a NHL ready player, as many fans here think, would have a higher profile and impact on the junior game.

Future NHL player, ya, top pairing? Not so far.

That Pettersson kid seemed to be more prevalent when he played.

WJC highlights flashy players. Willander is the opposite. Doesn't mean he's not an important piece. Heck he logged the most ice time on swedens roster for both their games played. I think that says enough.

 

[IComeInPeace]

WJC highlights flashy players. Willander is the opposite. Doesn't mean he's not an important piece. Heck he logged the most ice time on swedens roster for both their games played. I think that says enough.

Fans notice the flashy guys, then soon after complain that their teams NHL coach should be fired for not playing said flashy guy enough.

Willander has a ways to go, but there is a reason he’s led his Swedish side in TOI each of the first 2 games.

 

[Warh1ppy]

People actually worried about Willander here?

Heard that ASP had a 5 point game and we messed up not taking him.

Then I remembered that former Canucks greats Jordan Schroeder. Cody Hodgson etc all had great world juniors. While players like Pettersson. Hughes. Boeser were all very pedestrian in their point totals.

Something tells me that after years of repeating it, that the world juniors are not the metric for success so many people assume they are and that Willander is gonna be just fine

 

[VanJack]

I remember Quinn Hughes played in two World Jr. Hockey Championship-- in Buffalo in 2018 and in Victoria in 2019. He finished the 2018 tourney with no goals and three assists; and in 2019, no goals and two assists.

And of course he played two years at Michigan, with five goals in 29 points one year; and five goals and 33 points the next season. Decent production, but hardly an indication of how he'd break out in the NHL.

So I read next to nothing into Wilander's college and World Jr. stats. Observers at Canuck Development raved about his superior skating, edge-work and gap control--probably a far better indicator of what he'll do when he arrives in the NHL.

 

[strattonius]

Lekkerimaki won mvp at this tourney last year and I still had Willander ahead of him as a prospect.

 

[Quinntessential]

I remember Quinn Hughes played in two World Jr. Hockey Championship-- in Buffalo in 2018 and in Victoria in 2019. He finished the 2018 tourney with no goals and three assists; and in 2019, no goals and two assists.

And of course he played two years at Michigan, with five goals in 29 points one year; and five goals and 33 points the next season. Decent production, but hardly an indication of how he'd break out in the NHL.

So I read next to nothing into Wilander's college and World Jr. stats. Observers at Canuck Development raved about his superior skating, edge-work and gap control--probably a far better indicator of what he'll do when he arrives in the NHL.

Team USA coach didn't trust Hughes defensively so he didn't get the deployment he should have in the 2019 World Juniors. Team USA had better 2-way guys and ridiculously talented forwards so didn't see much extra reward for the risk of playing Hughes who wasn't as good defensively as he is now. However, in the limited time he did play he dominated. Same as his time in Michigan. He was dominant there too. There was plenty of indication that Hughes was going to break out in the NHL.

I've also read scouting reports that said Willander was invisible many games this season - something we didn't hear about Hughes.