Before the season really starts and I get caught up in the Coyotes business, I wanted to bring back something I’ve done before. I’m going to keep prospect updates and also more importantly KHL/MHL prospect updates. I know a lot of people that really get credence when following prospects rarely get/are able to see the European game so I really have enjoyed bringing some of their play to light. I’m at it again though I’ve also become pretty invested in the Swedish game this year as several of my favourites have been tearing up Sweden and there is a new movement in Scandinavia of youth playing a prominent role professionally when before it was always a bit of a taboo aspect to their system. This is a little look at some of the stars of Europe…well the drafted/draft eligible stars of now and the future…a lot to glean I suppose, but something I want to get out because the CHL commentators get their say. I could talk for days about players and prospects…and have, but this is just a limited preview. Therefor when I miss your “guy” I’m sorry, this was a quick version…and really nobody will ever be happy.
Expect Prospect Talk to be a fixture in my writing…and probably the only thing you read…
2013 :
Swedish Steals?
Three names have emerged in quick fashion. Buffalo’s Gustav Possler, Toronto’s Andreas Johnson and Boston’s Peter Cehlárik.
1. Gustav Possler was a surprise performer in the Buffalo camp and gained a lot of hype as his explosive speed and surprising tenacity took notice against older rookies. It was an auspicious start for the young 18 year old who was a star in the U18’s as a late 17 year old. He has been insane for MODO scoring 5 goals and adding an assist in 7 games in the Elitserien. He not only leads them in points and goals he leads them in…well actually playing well. Hagg of the Flyers has also been good and bust Jeff Tambellini along with Sammy Pahlsson have been ok, but Possler has been in a league of his own for the team. That one shot scoring ability is nasty when it works and he has it going for him.
2. Andreas Johnson one of the last picks of the draft is looking very good. Again like Possler he plays a similar game and had the exact same problem…he couldn’t break his Elitserien squad and played in the SuperElit. Johnson has been gifted top-pairing winger status and has run with it. His 5 goals and 8 points for Frölunda lead the club and sits him in the top-5 in scoring. His speed is just…well explosive. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have much creativity when he can just barrel past players. He reminds me of Grabner, Hagelin, Raymond and such in that they are speed demons who can shoot the puck, now obviously he can develop further, but even reaching that would be great. His play so far though…if he can keep it up…great pick Nonis.
3. Peter Cehlárik was a player I singled out as a potential steal, like a real steal he was never going to be picked before the third round yet his brief play in the Elitserien and his great U18 performance made anything past that a steal. The 6’2 winger is on loan to the Allsvenskan playing for terrible Asplöven, yet he has been amazing leading the squad with 3 goals and 7 points in 7 games. A lot of attention has been given to his defensive game which is improving a lot and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was picked back by Luleå. If he can keep his play up he is going to be a really interesting player for Slovakia.
4. Marko Dano is not a part of the Swedish system but I wanted to talk about him. He scored a great goal and added 12 hits in his first game back with HC Slovan…yet he has been put back on the third line and now has played a limited role again as a penalty killing forward. Kind of disappointed as he really looked sharp on the top line. I wish he had gone to the Prince George Cougars, but oh well…KHL development is tricky at best and if the team fears his desertion they will give him the time he needs/deserves. Expect a strong U20 performance from him.
2014 :
William Nylander has had a harsh time to start his year after ranting and raving reviews of first overall contention. The 17 year old has played minor minutes for Rögle and produced about the same. He has no points in his first 7 games, his previous journey in the Allsvenskan saw him get 6 points in 8 games while destroying the SuperElit…interesting start for Nylander. One that might be overstated as a bad thing when in the junior ranks others are given larger opportunities. He was dominant at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament however so things aren’t at critical mode right now for Nylander…but you need to step up mate.
Anton Karlsson is an interesting prospect in that he is both criminally underrated then overrated…I know weird. He’s a leader on the ice who has impressed on the international scene with some memorable U17 and U18 performances, yet still hasn’t gotten a lot of respect domestically in Sweden. The big winger is the best player in the SuperElit right now and deserves a spot in the Elitserien right now…literally he’s 4 steps ahead of everybody. Adding to this is the fact that like Barkov (Not saying he’s Barkov aka my fav) is that he is a very young 1996 birth being in July. So his dominance so far at a young age will assuredly gain attraction.
Jakub Vrána has taken a weird path going the Swedish system despite being Czech, though this might be the alternative for highly ranked players in lieu of going to the CHL yet retaining their draft strength. Vrána after a great Ivan Hlinka tournament has had a slow start bouncing between the Elitserien and SuperElit. He is a very creative forward with amazing hands. He has been known for being inconsistent at times and that is his ultimate cross to bear. Something he needs major improvement on. Not sure if Linköping will keep him up, but expect him to play well on the U20 squad for the Czech’s.
Adam Ollas Mattsson is a massive defensive defender. The 6’4 216lb 17 year old is an interesting mix of skilled puck retrieval and speed. When you’re a big guy you will always look slow when measured against a smaller player even if you’re going faster, it’s the nature of things, yet his long stride is flawless. He is playing right now in the SuperElit for Djurgarden and will likely be a 2nd round pick due to his skillset and near zero offensive potential. However his defensive awareness is supreme and his size is great.
Oskar Lindblom has dominated…simply dominated the international scene. He was a monster at the U17’s leading in goals and points for the Gold winning Swedes and followed it up with an amazing performance as a 16 year old in the U18’s…the issues come with Lindblom in the domestic leagues. He’s been fairly pedestrian. This season he has shown a decent play level in the SuperElit though nothing that would really blow your socks off. As a very young guy in this draft he is bound to have his ups and downs, yet he reeks a lot of several other top Swedish talents that will fall into the second round when all is said and done.
2015 :
Rasmussen Andersson has little of the hype that his Canadian counterpart Connor McDavid has, yet perhaps it is just as well considering the past two overhypes in Hedman and Larsson…ah but I can’t resist…Andersson is amazing. At only 15 he has become a mainstay in the Allsvenskan as a top two-way defender playing PP and PK time against men…hell he blew OEL’s numbers out of the water as a 15 year old vs 17 year old (11 in 38 vs 17 in 39). Right now he’s already again a top pairing guy for Malmö and was the top defender for the Swedes in the Ivan Hlinka. At 16 he has a lot of growing to do, but his game is very mature and his 6’0 213lb frame is already pretty darn ready. A lot of these mature players can falter, but he is easily the early contender to fight for the 1st overall in 2015.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be doing each league and such as we go along.
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