Wuest on Lofberg.
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At some point, there was a Kopitar comparison
Anyway, here's the article
There is obvious excitement in Hakan Andersson’s voice when he talks about Christofer Lofberg’s future.
When you think you’ve landed a 6-foot-3, 195-pound center who can skate like the wind with the 80th overall selection in the National Hockey League entry draft, you’ve got a pretty good reason to be pumped up.
“He was one of my top names for Europe, overall,” said Andersson, the Detroit Red Wings director of European scouting. “I think he has a lot of potential. Very exciting upside.”
Andersson went for a home run when he selected Lofberg, because if the big Swede makes it, he’s going to be an impact player.
Lofberg finished seventh in Swedish under-20 league scoring last season, piling up 21 goals and 14 assists for 34 points in 30 games. He finished close behind highly-touted Anze Kopitar, and even outscored fellow Red Wings prospect
Anton Axelsson — who is a year older.
Andersson rates Lofberg’s skating just shy of five on a five-point scale, and puts his skill-level not far behind.
“Speed and soft hands are his best assets,” said Andersson. “He has very good wheels and he can beat guys 1-on-1 really, really well.
“I would say he is a little bit more of a scorer, but he is not one of those guys who will only score goals. I’ve seen him make a lot of very nice plays and he makes very good passes.”
Lofberg is believed to have the size and skill to play in the Swedish Elite League with Djurgaden immediately — a rarity for a mid-round pick at that age. He already earned a one-game audition with the club last year, and is currently practicing with the team.
So how does a forward like Lofberg go unrated by Central Scouting and a variety of draft preview publications? Andersson isn’t sure, but said that being left off of Sweden’s junior national team didn’t help his cause.
“I think the coach was making a big mistake, but at the same time I was happy because there was less exposure (to other scouts),” said Andersson. “His (Djurgarden) teammates on the national team couldn’t believe Lofberg didn’t make it. Somehow, the coach had something against him.”
Lofberg’s size is a terrific asset, but Andersson admits he’s not the type of guy who will throw his weight around.
“He’s not a punishing hitter or anything,” said Andersson. “He’ll take a hit to get to the net but he’s not a guy who comes up with big hits himself.”
Andersson said the Red Wings’ philosophy in late rounds recently has been to draft smaller players with good skills and hope they grow and add strength. That plan worked with
Henrik Zetterberg and
Pavel Datsyuk.
This year, with Lofberg — and to a lesser extent Johan Ryno and Mattias Ritola — the Red Wings got both, and Andersson is thrilled.
“Usually you don’t have that get that talent level with that size where we pick,” said Andersson. “I said to my people in Detroit, ‘I think these three guys have the same kind of talent that we’re looking for, but they’re all a good size. That’s why I’m so excited about this draft.”
