Prospect Info: Wings Prospect Discussion, Part II

[Hazy Little Thing]

SHL today: Skellefteå vs Örebro, 3-2. Finally a win. MBN is still on the 4th line, TOI 11:58, 3 SOG. But he's been very physical lately, 4 hits in this game including a huge one. He even dropped the gloves but the officials stopped it. I think this is a sign of frustration for him, wish he was on a better team.

Finally a win? Better team? They’ve won 4 out of their last 5, they are solidly in the playoffs, they have the 4th best offense in the SHL. Are we thinking of a different team?

 

[Webster]

Finally a win? Better team? They’ve won 4 out of their last 5, they are solidly in the playoffs, they have the 4th best offense in the SHL. Are we thinking of a different team?

I was thinking about their previous game, a bad 1-5 loss. And they currently hold the 7th of 8 playoff spots. Certainly not secured.

But my point, this is a bad team for MBN. I'd say they don't even know how to use him.

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

I was thinking about their previous game, a bad 1-5 loss. And they currently hold the 7th of 8 playoff spots. Certainly not secured.

But my point, this is a bad team for MBN. I'd say they don't even know how to use him.

There’s 14 teams in the SHL, they are tied for 6th in points. 10 teams make the playoffs. 7-10 play each other for the 7th and 8th seeds in the quarterfinals.

I agree that MBN’s usage is far from ideal. He should’ve been in NA this year.

 

[SirloinUB]

Detroits amateur scouting is absolutely putting in work. I criticized them back about 2021 because I didnt see the vision that I see now. They have drafted some amazing defenseman and they are really starting to hit on late round picks imo (at least with how these late rounders are projecting). Identifying kiiskinen and trading for him seems to be an absolute steal, just don’t look at what we did with the 2nd round pick we acquired lol.

Frankly the Walman bit makes the Kiiskenen trade even better IMO. They upgraded their prospect and dumped a player they didn't want. That's a win-win for Detroit.

Now you may not agree that Walman should have been dumped. That's okay.

Apropos to nothing, Walman has 3 points and -6 in his last 12 games

 

[The Zermanator]

Frankly the Walman bit makes the Kiiskenen trade even better IMO. They upgraded their prospect and dumped a player they didn't want. That's a win-win for Detroit.

Now you may not agree that Walman should have been dumped. That's okay. Apropos to nothing, Walman has 3 points and -6 in his last 12 games

Certainly you're not suggesting that Walman shines like a diamond out of the box but the luster wears off eventually as the warts reveal themselves? Because that would be craaaaazy.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

I like MBN, I haven't been able to catch a ton of his ice-time this year so I won't go overboard in any direction.

I think there's a kernel of truth to his game translating better to NA ice, but I think that's being a little bit overstated here. Like let's be fair it's not as if physical, north south players are fish out of water in the SHL. If for example a Montreal fan was trying to sell us on our of their prospects in a trade and they're like "well sure he's not producing, but he'll produce more in North America", I'm not sure everyone here would be head over heels about that explanation.

I think it's important to be comfortable with prospects who you believe in when they're not producing. It's great when players develop rapidly and linearly like Seider did. That's really more of the exception than the rule. For a player like MBN, I actually think that reflecting on what he's doing (or not doing) to result in lower than anticipated production will be really valuable. He strikes me as someone with the right mentality to learn from adversity.

 

[RRhoads]

I think there's a kernel of truth to his game translating better to NA ice, but I think that's being a little bit overstated here.

He is not a product of SHL though. He played in Norway on NHL size rinks. He is more used to that size than bigger ice.

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

He is not a product of SHL though. He played in Norway on NHL size rinks. He is more used to that size than bigger ice.

Sure, but he's played in Sweden for at least a couple years now right? And even if he hadn't, a larger ice sheet isn't exactly playing basketball.

I guess I just feel like people are leaning into that point a little bit too strongly. I think the jump from Allsvenkan to SHL is a much more likely explanation for the growing pains. That's a tough jump to make, and I think the obstacles he's facing would likely be pretty similar in Grand Rapids.

Also, for what it's worth, I don't think that his production is all that concerning. I probably would've liked closer to a .5 ppg pace but if he's hovering around .3 ppg that's not a "sky is falling" outcome to me.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

Sure, but he's played in Sweden for at least a couple years now right? And even if he hadn't, a larger ice sheet isn't exactly playing basketball.

I guess I just feel like people are leaning into that point a little bit too strongly. I think the jump from Allsvenkan to SHL is a much more likely explanation for the growing pains. That's a tough jump to make, and I think the obstacles he's facing would likely be pretty similar in Grand Rapids.

Also, for what it's worth, I don't think that his production is all that concerning. I probably would've liked closer to a .5 ppg pace but if he's hovering around .3 ppg that's not a "sky is falling" outcome to me.

My sole and only concern about both MBN and ASP in the SHL is they were playing on a team that the DRW have very little control over for development and usage. I do think the coach(s) have tried to accommodate for their development most of the season, but they will still look out for their long term team needs too.

Neither of those two will likely be back with Skellefteå next season, as I expect both to be on this side of the big pond for the 2025/26 season and most likely with the wings by the end of the season (if they do not make it out of camp).

The coach will ride/showcase ASP as he is a young national icon, if he cannot get MBN rolling, he will bury him down the line-up, not great for the skills development, but let him let loose his inner 4th line attitude and become a wrecking ball to be reckoned with!

 

[Webster]

MBN chose the wrong team, bad start for them this season and there was a coaching change. The new coach apparently doesn't know much about him. As Elite Prospects and others reported..."his skills may be underused in Skellefteå's system". So first of all, give him a chance to show what he can do.

@LongTimeDRWF ASP has already made it clear that he's heading for NA next season. No decision when it comes to MBN yet.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

MBN chose the wrong team, bad start for them this season and there was a coaching change. The new coach apparently doesn't know much about him. As Elite Prospects and others reported..."his skills may be underused in Skellefteå's system". So first of all, give him a chance to show what he can do.

@LongTimeDRWF ASP has already made it clear that he's heading for NA next season. No decision when it comes to MBN yet.

I don't think MBN chose the wrong team, it is just sometimes sh!t happens and it did not work out for him, I don't think anyone could have foreseen all that unfolded.

Would a different choice maybe worked out better for him, in hindsight, bet it would have. (He should have listed to his Dad, but what 19 year old does )

I did read where ASP stated he intended to come over for next year, but until he is actually here, locked and loaded for training camp, I will remain somewhat guarded, but I do expect to see him at the wings training camp.

MBN has lots of time to make up his mind, but I think this time he may take Dad's advice and be a local phone call away from playing on the NHL team.

 

[Webster]

I don't think MBN chose the wrong team, it is just sometimes sh!t happens and it did not work out for him, I don't think anyone could have foreseen all that unfolded.

Would a different choice maybe worked out better for him, in hindsight, bet it would have. (He should have listed to his Dad, but what 19 year old does )

I did read where ASP stated he intended to come over for next year, but until he is actually here, locked and loaded for training camp, I will remain somewhat guarded, but I do expect to see him at the wings training camp.

MBN has lots of time to make up his mind, but I think this time he may take Dad's advice and be a local phone call away from playing on the NHL team.

Of course, I don't blame it on MBN. That team was great last season, and I'm sure he thought they would be fighting for the trophy again. Still got a chance there btw.

Yeah I remember his dad wasn't happy, but irony was still there..."I'm at a point where he'd kick my ass, so I can't say much anymore"

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Dad probably understood his son should let the Wings call the shots. MBN had a choice between two good options and maybe there was personal stuff that contributed to his decision. Some of what happened this season could not have been predicted. But if the team that just drafted you and is going to invest a lot in your future thinks it would be best if you go to Team A, it would have to be a damn good reason for you to decide to play for Team B. It was never going to be easy to break into Team B, the league champion with most of its best players having a long history with Skelleftea and even growing up in their development system. He wasn't just an SHL rookie, he was a newcomer to the club. It's not like that in the AHL, rare for veterans to stick around more than five years, new players every year coming from different leagues and countries. All the new guys are on an equal footing, even the new vet signees. In trying to get something out of both paths, the early start in the SHL then Wings camp and NHL exhibition games, he didn't get a lot from either and had to play catch-up when he returned to Skelleftea,

When he committed to come to Wings camp it should have been with the understanding that if the Wings wanted him to stay in NA, he would. If he wasn't prepared to do that, he should have never left. Live and learn.

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

MBN chose the wrong team, bad start for them this season and there was a coaching change. The new coach apparently doesn't know much about him. As Elite Prospects and others reported..."his skills may be underused in Skellefteå's system". So first of all, give him a chance to show what he can do.

@LongTimeDRWF ASP has already made it clear that he's heading for NA next season. No decision when it comes to MBN yet.

This makes no sense “the new coach doesn’t know a lot about him”. Okay, that’s a good excuse for the first week but what are we doing here now?

 

[Webster]

This makes no sense “the new coach doesn’t know a lot about him”. Okay, that’s a good excuse for the first week but what are we doing here now?

The Elite Prospects report basically explains what's going on, not taking advantage of his skills. Instead they put him on the 4th line, he gets pissed and starts throwing his weight around like never before. But as others said, maybe that's a good thing too, should prepare him even more for NA hockey.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

The Elite Prospects report basically explains what's going on, not taking advantage of his skills. Instead they put him on the 4th line, he gets pissed and starts throwing his weight around like never before. But as others said, maybe that's a good thing too, should prepare him even more for NA hockey.

Another thought crossed my mind.

Depending upon when both he and ASP are available after the SHL playoffs, since it is after the NHL TDL, there is no roster limits on NHL teams (although have be cap compliant until the playoffs) and the NHL teams are only permitted 4 AHL callups. The wings might keep one of both of them on the wings for up to 10 games (to not burn their slide year) and then decide which run to keep them on (likely GR, but you never know).

If SY values the 4 call up spots as real valuable if he thinks the wings are playoff bound, I can see this happening...similar for Augustine or any college signed player, spend some time on the wings before being assigned to GR. (For the post-college players, it is real money to go with their signing bonus to spend a month with the wings)

Edit:

Since I am not super familiar with the contract rules in the SHL, is it possible for MBN and his team to mutually part ways at this point of the season, especially if the coach feels he can get a better 4th line player for his team rolleyes?

MBN is already signed to an ELC with the wings, so they can bring him over anytime he is available...

 

[Webster]

@LongTimeDRWF I remember MBN mentioned that he's only on loan there, since he's under contract with the Wings. I believe he has a written agreement with Skellefteå that takes care of salary stuff and a clause saying he can leave on short notice if the Wings call for him.

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

@LongTimeDRWF I remember MBN mentioned that he's only on loan there, since he's under contract with the Wings. I believe he has a written agreement with Skellefteå that takes care of salary stuff and a clause saying he can leave on short notice if the Wings call for him.

That could be interesting, if he is still playing on the 4th line by early March, maybe the wings call him up after the NHL TDL for his 10 games and then send him down to GR (or keep him for their run).

That may prevent any "bad" optics for all parties....Skellefteå would likely not him for their playoffs, but it does give them some time to prepare the team to be without him.

 

[lilidk]

That could be interesting, if he is still playing on the 4th line by early March, maybe the wings call him up after the NHL TDL for his 10 games and then send him down to GR (or keep him for their run).

That may prevent any "bad" optics for all parties....Skellefteå would likely not him for their playoffs, but it does give them some time to prepare the team to be without him.

MBN not ahead of Mazur , Danielson or Lombardi

 

[Webster]

MBN not ahead of Mazur , Danielson or Lombardi

Say if they're looking for more physicality, are those guys still ahead of MBN?

 

[lilidk]

P on

Say if they're looking for more physicality, are those guys still ahead of MBN?

Mazur play as physical and better skater and deserves to play in NHL. There's also Watson

 

[LongTimeDRWF]

MBN not ahead of Mazur , Danielson or Lombardi

Maybe not, but anyone from the GR roster will count against the 4 allowable call/ups from the AHL post TDL.

ASP, MBN or any college signees do not count as they are not on AHL rosters, so SY basically gets a preview if he chooses to do so.

Not uncommon for teams to advantage of fresh non-AHL bodies after the TDL if they have cap space, you usually see it with college players, but this could be used by the wings to add a body for a few weeks without burning an AHL call-up.

The advantage to MBN would be he quickly gets his list of homework items for the rest of the AHL season.