World Junior Thread II

[Stigma]

Have you guys and gals been watching the Tim Stützle character playing in this tournament and how can you not be entertained?

This kids hockey IQ is off the charts and his vision and playmaking have likely made him one of the best player in this WJC tournament so far.

Him and teammate JJ Peterka have made watching the German team in tournament well watching even against lower competition.

Ottawa have themselves quite a player here and he is going to be a problem for our Leafs that they're going to have to deal with in the future.

I think Ottawa was actually lucky to pick 3rd. If they had the 2nd pick, that would have been a tough decision. (though gut feeling is that they would have still gone with Stutzle)

Stutzle has really impressed me. His vision, puck skills and drive to the net, in particular, are first rate. Looking forward to Stutzle vs Matthews showdowns in the not-so-distant future.

 

[Morgs]

Could be. But the new guys are closer than some think.

Liljegren 21.7yrs
Sandin 20.8yrs
Robertson 19.3yrs
Amirov 19.2yrs
Hirvonen 19.0yrs
Niemela 18.7yrs

Interesting to note that we were all pumped at Robertson's ppg performance at the WJC last year, but these three new kids are all doing better than that this year - even if Robertson was playing in it this year I'm not sure he'd be doing any better than them. Niemela and Amirov are putting up more of a Sandin calibre performance.

Yeah I got all their ages/NHLe/rel.CF%/etc in my spreadsheet. They're all fantastic prospects, and future 100GP players, but I think you're missing two of the best from that group.

1. Liljegren
2. Sandin
3. Robertson
4. Amirov
--
5. Abramov
6. Hallander
7. Niemela
8. Kokkonen
9. Hirvonen

Im "lower" on Hirvonen though because the production isnt great and the rel.CF% is significantly worse than any of our other Liiga prospects (other than Rasanen).

Robertson I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing a Gallagher-type role of shooting from everywhere in the NHL. Only .1 years older than Amirov, already an elite D+1, PPG in the WJC last year, I wouldn't be surprised if he was playing with Zegras/Turcotte and putting up a ridiculous amount of points.

 

[nobody]

I can't wait until training camp next year. Korshkov, Amirov, Niemela, Hirvonen, Abramov, Sandin, Lilly, Robertson, Kral, Woll, Scott, Hallander, Hollowell should all be gunning for roster spots.

 

[theIceWookie]

Amirov is similar to Nylander in that their biggest strength is skating, agility and being able to transition the puck.
I wouldnt say either has phenominal playmaking ability and neither are pure snipers but both guys are good in these areas.
Amirov is the bigger body and looks better defensively but might not have Nylanders offensive upside.

His two way game is pretty polished and he's probably not that far from actually being able to play in the league (maybe 2 years).

Amirov looks like a pretty strong athlete.

This play right here the 0:07 mark. Hes tied up with one player and without even taking a stride, skates almost sideways and then explodes into the defender and finish's check.

Not many players have that type of agility or power.

uhhh why do you think Amirov has the bigger body? Nylander is listed as about an inch shorter and right around 200 pounds. Amirov is listed at 168 though was said to be at 185 pounds.

Amirov is slightly taller but not as heavy. That does not equate to bigger in my books

 

[stickty111]

I can't wait until training camp next year. Korshkov, Amirov, Niemela, Hirvonen, Abramov, Sandin, Lilly, Robertson, Kral, Woll, Scott, Hallander, Hollowell should all be gunning for roster spots.

Of those
No chance for the goalies especially Scott
Korshkov has a chance but still a big question mark. Amirov is still 2 years away unless he explodes. Niemela and Hirvonen need more time especially Hirvonen.
Abramov has an outside shot but likely needs AHL time. Kral, Hollowell, and Hallander have a chance but again likely AHL time.
The only guys who should be locks are the big 3.

 

[nobody]

Of those
No chance for the goalies especially Scott
Korshkov has a chance but still a big question mark. Amirov is still 2 years away unless he explodes. Niemela and Hirvonen need more time especially Hirvonen.
Abramov has an outside shot but likely needs AHL time. Kral, Hollowell, and Hallander have a chance but again likely AHL time.
The only guys who should be locks are the big 3.

I think Korshkov, Hallander, Kral, Hollowell will all get legit shots at the roster next year. Amirov too should the Leafs decide to bring him over instead of keeping him in the KHL for 2 more seasons. Abromov as you said is a wild card. Niemela and Hirvonen likely still in Europe, you're correct.

 

[DopeyFish]

Amirov is still 2 years away unless he explodes.

well that got dire quickly

 

[stickty111]

well that got dire quickly

I meant more because of the rumored extension in the KHL and needing more playing time. Explode was the wrong term. Next year, he could make the 3rd line if the extension doesn't happen. Amirov's all around game is pretty polished.

 

[stickty111]

I think Korshkov, Hallander, Kral, Hollowell will all get legit shots at the roster next year. Amirov too should the Leafs decide to bring him over instead of keeping him in the KHL for 2 more seasons. Abromov as you said is a wild card. Niemela and Hirvonen likely still in Europe, you're correct.

You are right on the first 4, but to me more likely they are AHL bound first except for maybe Korshkov. Amirov I agree.

 

[DopeyFish]

I meant more because of the rumored extension in the KHL and needing more playing time. Explode was the wrong term. Next year, he could make the 3rd line if the extension doesn't happen. Amirov's all around game is pretty polished.

way to systematically dismantle my luls

 

[Antropovsky]

Amirov is similar to Nylander in that their biggest strength is skating, agility and being able to transition the puck.
I wouldnt say either has phenominal playmaking ability and neither are pure snipers but both guys are good in these areas.
Amirov is the bigger body and looks better defensively but might not have Nylanders offensive upside.

His two way game is pretty polished and he's probably not that far from actually being able to play in the league (maybe 2 years).

Amirov looks like a pretty strong athlete.

This play right here the 0:07 mark. Hes tied up with one player and without even taking a stride, skates almost sideways and then explodes into the defender and finish's check.

Not many players have that type of agility or power.

Great video. I disagree with the exploding and not taking a stride... I think most players could make the transition in the video, it was choppy and not really explosive.... but the choppyness shows his heart in the play. He was off balance, maybe a little tired and pushed himself into the player to close the gap and distrupt the play keeping the puck in. If he hesitates the player might make a good play out of the zone. I know people talk about Nylanders goals around the net... but he is incredibly unwilling to get involved in puck battles, his defense is lifting sticks and chasing from behind.

 

[stickty111]

way to systematically dismantle my luls

Lol
Just having a rough day because I'm last in my pool

 

[X66]

I’ve already stated that Amirov reminds of a Grabovski/Ehlers style wise over Nylander.

Very few people play like nylander, he’s a god when it comes to talent.

 

[zeke]

Yeah I got all their ages/NHLe/rel.CF%/etc in my spreadsheet. They're all fantastic prospects, and future 100GP players, but I think you're missing two of the best from that group.

1. Liljegren
2. Sandin
3. Robertson
4. Amirov
--
5. Abramov
6. Hallander
7. Niemela
8. Kokkonen
9. Hirvonen

Im "lower" on Hirvonen though because the production isnt great and the rel.CF% is significantly worse than any of our other Liiga prospects (other than Rasanen).

Robertson I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing a Gallagher-type role of shooting from everywhere in the NHL. Only .1 years older than Amirov, already an elite D+1, PPG in the WJC last year, I wouldn't be surprised if he was playing with Zegras/Turcotte and putting up a ridiculous amount of points.

yep i noticed you tracking the possession stats over there. i'm not leaning too heavily on them for now because it's tough to adjust for usage. I don't hit Hirvonen too hard for his low possession when he's jumped into almost a 1st line C role in a men's league. Also his production is as good as Hallander's, and he plays center and is almost 2 years younger, so I have a hard time ranking him that low.

 

[weems]

uhhh why do you think Amirov has the bigger body? Nylander is listed as about an inch shorter and right around 200 pounds. Amirov is listed at 168 though was said to be at 185 pounds.

Amirov is slightly taller but not as heavy. That does not equate to bigger in my books

He looks way closer to that 185lbs number.

Nylander is 195 right? I think Amirov could put on 10lbs or more from now until ages 23/24/25.

Maybe it's also a visual thing but Amirov looks like he'll be bigger when he fully fills out.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Someone posted that Amirov play was like Nylander
Not even close
I would Live Nylander to play like him.

The last two games amirov has played amazing
Skill wize amazing
Getting physically involved
Going to the net
Playing a 200 ' game
Playing on the pk

This would be amazing if this is what to expect in the NHL .

I don't know who he plays like but Nylander no.

It would be amazing if grows another inch and 30 lbs

He may be on the Leafs in 2 yrs

I definitely don't get the Nylander comparison.

His style reminds me a lot of Kulemim though.

 

[Morgs]

yep i noticed you tracking the possession stats over there. i'm not leaning too heavily on them for now because it's tough to adjust for usage. I don't hit Hirvonen too hard for his low possession when he's jumped into almost a 1st line C role in a men's league. Also his production is as good as Hallander's, and he plays center and is almost 2 years younger, so I have a hard time ranking him that low.

Yeah I'm hoping it's like Kokkonen who got absolutely destroyed in his analytics prior to being the #1 defenseman this season, but we're a season early right now. IIRC (not on my laptop) I'm [much] higher on Hallander's production because although its similar in PPG he's in a league that's much harder based on NHLe so it corrects him higher. Not to mention Hallander is the best play driver on his playoff team in the 2nd best league outside the NHL.

Dont get me wrong, I'm high on Hirvonen for sure. I just think he needs to prove more to be higher than anyone else on that list. The WJC is obviously nice, but I'm gonna trust his larger sample size in Liiga.

 

[Morgs]

I’ve already stated that Amirov reminds of a Grabovski/Ehlers style wise over Nylander.

Very few people play like nylander, he’s a god when it comes to talent.

I've been saying Ehlers since pre-draft. His skating style reminds me more of Will, but the way Amirov plays is essentially Ehlers 2.0. I'm just guessing not enough people have watched Ehlers enough.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

I’ve already stated that Amirov reminds of a Grabovski/Ehlers style wise over Nylander.

Very few people play like nylander, he’s a god when it comes to talent.

Abramov is the one who reminds me of Grabo. Abramov like Grabo is a C who put his head down, holds onto the puck and tries to drive the net or zone. Even defensively and on the forecheck he reminds me of him where he gets in on players with speed again and again.

Amirov doesn't really hold the puck and drive with it. Amirov passes or shoots it almost right after he has the puck. He also sits back and is great at reading plays leading to steals. Kulemim I think is the best comparable.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I've been saying Ehlers since pre-draft. His skating style reminds me more of Will, but the way Amirov plays is essentially Ehlers 2.0. I'm just guessing not enough people have watched Ehlers enough.

I think it's clear that the 2014-2016 drafted guys are who he patterned parts of his game after. He has a lot of Matthews' quick turns on the boards and something approaching his shot mechanics, and his transition game looks a lot like Nylander's, especially the way he adjusts his footwork on the fly to open up a couple extra inches of space. His mentality towards the game is different from both though, he strikes me as a guy who watched a lot of tape and stole as much as he could for his toolkit. A Kanye of hockey if you will.

 

[GoodNewfieBoy]

Amirov looks really good. I would say the one thing he needs to work on is his shot. Doesn’t seem like he can score from distance. Not many can, mind you. But even the accuracy needs to improve.

 

[hullsy47]

I think Ottawa was actually lucky to pick 3rd. If they had the 2nd pick, that would have been a tough decision. (though gut feeling is that they would have still gone with Stutzle)

Stutzle has really impressed me. His vision, puck skills and drive to the net, in particular, are first rate. Looking forward to Stutzle vs Matthews showdowns in the not-so-distant future.

 

[Scion]

Of those
No chance for the goalies especially Scott
Korshkov has a chance but still a big question mark. Amirov is still 2 years away unless he explodes. Niemela and Hirvonen need more time especially Hirvonen.
Abramov has an outside shot but likely needs AHL time. Kral, Hollowell, and Hallander have a chance but again likely AHL time.
The only guys who should be locks are the big 3.

Don't be surprised if Hollowell makes the team at some point next year. Earlier this year I got to speak to Jack Han and he told me that the Leafs prospect that is most underrated by the public sphere is Hollowell, and that the organization likened his game to Dylan Demelo internally. More interestingly, it is the defense and not the offense that the Leafs are most excited about.

 

[weems]

Don't be surprised if Hollowell makes the team at some point next year. Earlier this year I got to speak to Jack Han and he told me that the Leafs prospect that is most underrated by the public sphere is Hollowell, and that the organization likened his game to Dylan Demelo internally. More interestingly, it is the defense and not the offense that the Leafs are most excited about.

Haha he told me the same thing.

Said that Hollowell and Kerfoot are two players he thinks are most underrated by the media.

 

[Judas Tavares]

No offence to Austria but they were dogshit. Rossi was also a no show.

I'm just bitter cause i lost some bets.
Austria didn't try to even make an effort and I needed that game to be under 7
That Finn-Slovakia game, I needed Slovakia to keep it within 4 and they decided to not show up.
And I needed Germany to win by 2 but they decided to leave the building once they were up 4-0