Traverse City Prospect Tournament 2018

[eco's bones]

Andersson played a whole f***ing lot of hockey last year and for a lot of top level teams---SHL, WJC, Hartford, Rangers, WC's. He did very well wherever he played IMO.

He is not the fastest skater though and I'm not sure he's not going to be a left winger before all is said and done. I like the grit, the will to win and he's got great hands and the timing to be in the right place at the right time. That's hockey IQ. He's also smart on the backcheck.

As for Lindgren/Rykov. I like them both a lot. Lindgren is a stay at home D with some edge. He also played the last two WJC's for the US team and wore a letter last year. There are all not that many players that play back to back WJC's for the United States and the reason he was able to was he's really good at what he does and he's a natural leader. I expect he will be an NHL player--just not the kind of d-man that puts up lots of points. Rykov is more the two way guy and he has excellent size--and that size along with his skillset is something to look forward to. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lindgren get some NHL games this year and if Rykov comes over next year he'll probably be getting some NHL time in his rookie year too.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Andersson has that Derek Stepan thing going on.

He's not exactly "skilled" and he literally can't skate, but points just keep appearing from the ****ing sky.

I had checkered opinions on Stepan over the years, but he was better than like, what, 90% of draftees?

Stepan a a lot better playmaker I am sure.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Stepan a a lot better playmaker I am sure.

Sure, and Lias will have other skills that will be better than Derek. They aren't clones.

 

[NYR]

I like LA a lot but I'd compare him to a Callahan lite waayy before Stepan.

The only similarities between him and Stepan is the skating but the difference is that Stepan has elite hockey IQ.

Will LA become that type of player?

That's a tall order..

 

[Rongomania]

I like LA a lot but I'd compare him to a Callahan lite waayy before Stepan.

The only similarities between him and Stepan is the skating but the difference is that Stepan has elite hockey IQ.

Will LA become that type of player?

That's a tall order..

Not really a ‘tall order’ whatsoever.

The kid is legit and has shown it everywhere he has played.

Elite hockey hockey IQ is kinda Lias’ projected game (already elevating players around him, being in the right places at the right time, etc.)

So I’d say the kid has a chance to be better than step & cally and I will stick by that until proven wrong.

 

[NYR]

Not really a ‘tall order’ whatsoever.

The kid is legit and has shown it everywhere he has played.

Elite hockey hockey IQ is kinda Lias’ projected game (already elevating players around him, being in the right places at the right time, etc.)

So I’d say the kid has a chance to be better than step & cally and I will stick by that until proven wrong.

That's fair and again, I do like him but the game is getting much faster now so I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Rongomania]

That's fair and again, I do like him but the game is getting much faster now so I'll believe it when I see it.

Fair as well I suppose. Though I do think judging a 19yr old solely on skating is a little unfair as Lias can (and also cannot) look like a much different skater by next season, hell, as early as the middle of this upcoming season.

Lias becoming successful is of great importance to this team; we need this.

 

[Edge]

Andersson has that Derek Stepan thing going on.

He's not exactly "skilled" and he literally can't skate, but points just keep appearing from the ****ing sky.

I had checkered opinions on Stepan over the years, but he was better than like, what, 90% of draftees?

He knows how to get himself into the right spots at the right time.

I think people keep watching Andersson expecting to be blown away. The reality is that he’s not going to do that too often.

In fact, even when you watch the plays in which he scores you tend not to notice him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back and look at a play later to see what he was doing before his team scored. I’m consistently looking at someone else and Andersson is just kind of doing his thing as the play unfolds. Then I look again and I notice how he snakes his way into position and I’ll be damned if he isn’t right where the critical moment occurs.

 

[Mac n Gs]

He knows how to get himself into the right spots at the right time.

I think people keep watching Andersson expecting to be blown away. The reality is that he’s not going to do that too often.

In fact, even when you watch the plays in which he scores you tend not to notice him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back and look at a play later to see what he was doing before his team scored. I’m consistently looking at someone else and Andersson is just kind of doing his thing as the play unfolds. Then I look again and I notice how he snakes his way into position and I’ll be damned if he isn’t right where the critical moment occurs.

I was going to post something similar before, but didn't feel like rehashing this argument for the hundredth time. In these past two games, Lias has been in position and on the puck nearly every shift. He's been their most efficient forward, but people are still harping on the skating, which is such an overblown issue.

Like you said, people are expecting to be blown away or wowed, but what's great about Lias is his consistency and efficiency. He makes high percentage plays and drives play for our team. Hell, isn't he tied for their leading scorer at TC right now?

 

[East Coast Bias]

Reading some of these posts on how none of our prospects really stand a chance to make an high level impact is quite depressing. I'm gonna definitely reserve the right to remain optimistic on guys like Chytil, Kravtsov and even a 18 year old 6'4" 207 pound dman like Miller that they have that potential to be that.

Yeah agreed. I don’t watch enough of lower or European leagues to really have strong opinions on prospects. So I read a lot of these posts with an open mind

It’s kinda funny to see everyone go ape shit about Espn or the Athletic’s prospect ranking and how we got screwed, and then in here people shredding every single prospect we have.

 

[Fvital92]

I was going to post something similar before, but didn't feel like rehashing this argument for the hundredth time. In these past two games, Lias has been in position and on the puck nearly every shift. He's been their most efficient forward, but people are still harping on the skating, which is such an overblown issue.

Like you said, people are expecting to be blown away or wowed, but what's great about Lias is his consistency and efficiency. He makes high percentage plays and drives play for our team. Hell, isn't he tied for their leading scorer at TC right now?

Actually, no. Lindqvist and Howden are the leading scorers with 3 points each.

 

[Machinehead]

He knows how to get himself into the right spots at the right time.

I think people keep watching Andersson expecting to be blown away. The reality is that he’s not going to do that too often.

In fact, even when you watch the plays in which he scores you tend not to notice him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back and look at a play later to see what he was doing before his team scored. I’m consistently looking at someone else and Andersson is just kind of doing his thing as the play unfolds. Then I look again and I notice how he snakes his way into position and I’ll be damned if he isn’t right where the critical moment occurs.

I must admit, I've warmed on him bit.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Actually, no. Lindqvist and Howden are the leading scorers with 3 points each.

Lias has 1 goal and 2 assists so far, so thanks for proving my point

 

[Fvital92]

Lias has 1 goal and 2 assists so far, so thanks for proving my point

Really? I checked their site right after the game, they must've updated. My bad.

 

[Joey Bones]

Actually, no. Lindqvist and Howden are the leading scorers with 3 points each.

Also Stukel along with Andersson

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I actually think Howden has more of a stepan thing going except he is bigger and has slightly better hands.

Much better skater.

I don't think either are that similar to Stepan.

 

[Irishguy42]

Really? I checked their site right after the game, they must've updated. My bad.

Yeah.

Went 1+1 in Game 1 and 1A in Game 2.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

He knows how to get himself into the right spots at the right time.

I think people keep watching Andersson expecting to be blown away. The reality is that he’s not going to do that too often.

In fact, even when you watch the plays in which he scores you tend not to notice him. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to go back and look at a play later to see what he was doing before his team scored. I’m consistently looking at someone else and Andersson is just kind of doing his thing as the play unfolds. Then I look again and I notice how he snakes his way into position and I’ll be damned if he isn’t right where the critical moment occurs.

it is as if he doesn't step on the gas on purpose to stealthily move into position without being noticed by defenders. Interesting tactic that seems to be working for him. most goalies and defenders ignore slow moving or even appearing stationary object in their peripheral vision. It is definitely a different type of threat than most conventional players and it is cool to have a player like that even though watching him play is not super exciting, but this gives us a bit of a different dimension to our future offense. He also seems to score a lot up close similar to Thomas Holmstrom.

 

[Jauffre]

If one of our future top centers isn't bald by 24 I'm going to flip the **** out.

Lias is already on his way

 

[NYR]

Fair as well I suppose. Though I do think judging a 19yr old solely on skating is a little unfair as Lias can (and also cannot) look like a much different skater by next season, hell, as early as the middle of this upcoming season.

Lias becoming successful is of great importance to this team; we need this.

Yes, I am a bit of harsh critic but do agree that his skating can be improved in a timely manor.

He reminds me exactly of Boyle who had this dopey wide stride and could never get his legs underneath him.

He end up spending a summer with Underhill and he was a completely different player the very next season and had quite an impact on his game.

Agreed again..LA becoming successful is paramount..

 

[FIRE DRURY]

I think Lias will be slightly better than Dstep, offensively and defensively. And I’m ok with that.

I wish he did have more acceleration and speed, but there have been PLENTY of incredible players that have had HOF careers without being great skaters.

Lias’s IQ is what makes him a special player. I see him as a 1A/1B 25/35 responsible player capable of playing big minutes in big games.

I see a lot of Drury in him, as far as style, talent/skill, tenacity, and leadership.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I was going to post something similar before, but didn't feel like rehashing this argument for the hundredth time. In these past two games, Lias has been in position and on the puck nearly every shift. He's been their most efficient forward, but people are still harping on the skating, which is such an overblown issue.

Like you said, people are expecting to be blown away or wowed, but what's great about Lias is his consistency and efficiency. He makes high percentage plays and drives play for our team. Hell, isn't he tied for their leading scorer at TC right now?

I think there's this misguided opinion that because the league is getting faster that now if a player isn't a burner then he isn't going to be able to hang. That's not how it works, we're not heading towards a league where every player is McDavid and Kreider. That's just not going to happen. Footspeed isn't the same thing as playing fast. You can play a fast game with pushing the pace and being aggressive without being a burner and you can have blazing speed and bad hockey sense that neuters your effectiveness.

No matter how fast the game gets, there will always be a place in the game for smart players with great hockey sense.

Lias isn't going to ever be a guy who blows you away with dazzling end to end rushes, but he's a good smart player. He's the guy who knows where to be which will lead to points but will also be the guy who opens lanes for other guys and won't get a point but will make a key play leading to a goal.

 

[tradenashnow]

Amazing how many professional scouts we have in our fan base that love to nitpick with Andersson. I wonder how many of these fans actually watched the past 2 years of this team. You know, the consistent stupidity of our forwards and defenseman who have no clue where to stand, play defense or cause turnovers. A players that doesn't make constant, low percentage players like almost all of our players did the past 2 years. All things Andersson will do at a very high level.

Other than AV and his idiotic system and beliefs, the biggest problems on this team the past couple years were low hockey IQ, lack of effort, desire and ability to play defense. These are all things Andersson is dominant at. If you look at the draft picks the past couple years and Gorton's trades, he is acquiring players like Andersson who flourish in those areas.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

As someone who has followed Andersson all season (literally in some cases) I am still surprised by the number of people who bring up the 1 negative thing and completely ignore the positives. You don't need to skate fast if you can read the game the way he does. Skate smart, not hard, so to speak. His skating has not held him back so far and he was playing at a higher level than the majority of the top-10 in the 2017 draft.

I hate the "do you even watch the games" argument but I am going to use it in this case. When you are in the stadium watching the game you have the opportunity to focus on 1 player. I've done that every time I was at a game Lias was playing, and when you follow him closely, he reminds me so much of Jagr in the way he skates. He is so smart, knows exactly where the puck will end up. The most important aspect to arriving on time, is leaving on time. And he is absolutely great when it comes to that part of the game. Jagr was the same way. Not the fastest, but he knew how the play would unfold. That's not something you can teach. It's a rare skill.

Is Lias perfect? Far from it. Does he have areas he can improve? You bet. He's 19 years old. But he had one of the best D+1 seasons I've seen in a long time. Everyone talks about Elias Pettersson but I think Lias was just as impressive in the role he was handed. He led his team in goals and points at the World Juniors. He had the 2nd highest PPG average in the last few years in the SHL. He then came over to NA to play for Hartford and had 14 points in 25 games, a handful of games near the end of the NHL season, before flying back to Europe to participate in the EHT. Let's not forget that he was selected for his senior national team to play in the World Championships following his performance in the EHT.

His performance was good enough for Gronborg to call him up. But somehow all I hear is "He can't skate". It's ridiculous.

 

[Blue Blooded]

As someone who has followed Andersson all season (literally in some cases) I am still surprised by the number of people who bring up the 1 negative thing and completely ignore the positives. You don't need to skate fast if you can read the game the way he does. Skate smart, not hard, so to speak. His skating has not held him back so far and he was playing at a higher level than the majority of the top-10 in the 2017 draft.

I hate the "do you even watch the games" argument but I am going to use it in this case. When you are in the stadium watching the game you have the opportunity to focus on 1 player. I've done that every time I was at a game Lias was playing, and when you follow him closely, he reminds me so much of Jagr in the way he skates. He is so smart, knows exactly where the puck will end up. The most important aspect to arriving on time, is leaving on time. And he is absolutely great when it comes to that part of the game. Jagr was the same way. Not the fastest, but he knew how the play would unfold. That's not something you can teach. It's a rare skill.

Is Lias perfect? Far from it. Does he have areas he can improve? You bet. He's 19 years old. But he had one of the best D+1 seasons I've seen in a long time. Everyone talks about Elias Pettersson but I think Lias was just as impressive in the role he was handed. He led his team in goals and points at the World Juniors. He had the 2nd highest PPG average in the last few years in the SHL. He then came over to NA to play for Hartford and had 14 points in 25 games, a handful of games near the end of the NHL season, before flying back to Europe to participate in the EHT. Let's not forget that he was selected for his senior national team to play in the World Championships following his performance in the EHT.

His performance was good enough for Gronborg to call him up. But somehow all I hear is "He can't skate". It's ridiculous.

Not to mention, after a slow start with Frölunda in a bottom-6 role he got promoted to the 2nd line and PP2 unit after the first EHT break. The result? 10 points in 10 games followed up with being the best forward on the Swedish WJC team before he separated his shoulder.