‘Defencemen are hard-chargers after Christmas, they begin to really feel comfy and play at a a lot increased and extra constant clip.’ — NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy.
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Two weeks in the past, Tom Willander projected as a potential second-tier possibility, if the Vancouver Canucks traded down within the 2023 NHL Draft.
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In two weeks, the right-shot Swedish defenceman could possibly be the No. 11 total choose in Nashville.
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With the Canucks anticipated to retain their first-round choice — until a commerce bundle is simply too wealthy to show down so as to add belongings and cut back a salary-cap crunch — then a coveted prospect nonetheless on the board might be within the crosshairs.
That could possibly be Willander.
If blueline targets Axel Sandin Pellikka and David Reinbacher, together with forwards Dalibor Dvorsky and Ryan Leonard, go within the high 10, then Willander is sensible. Scouts are consumed by how prospects end a season and that’s why the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Stockholm native has climbed draft boards.
He could be the very best participant accessible at No. 11, and the place is a franchise precedence.
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“Defencemen are hard-chargers after Christmas, they begin to really feel comfy of their conditions, and begin to play at a a lot increased and extra constant clip,” mentioned NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy.
Willander flourished this season with Rogle BK J20 within the Swedish junior ranks and managed 25 factors (4-21) in 39 video games. He additionally performed in two Swedish Hockey League video games with Rogle BK Angelholm, the identical membership that produced Canucks winger Nils Hoglander.
Willander additionally represented his nation on the 2023 Below-18 world championship the place he impressed with eight factors (3-5) in seven outings. Within the gold-medal sport, Sweden misplaced 3-2 in additional time to the U.S.
“His development in relation to different gamers has arguably been essentially the most progressive,” mentioned Jason Bukala, a Sportsnet analyst and former NHL director of beginner scouting. “His skating and stature are similar to Sandin Pellikka, however he’s somewhat bit larger and wider. His skating is elite and he can observe pucks.
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“It’s going to be fascinating. Some groups worth him nearer to the opposite (higher-rated) guys and he could be a trade-down goal.”
The rise has every thing to do with a presence on the world stage and the way which will switch to the NHL. While you play a affected person sport, and don’t panic with or with out the puck, it’s going to get seen.
“There have been even performs on the U-18 worlds the place a puck would get dumped into his zone,” Bakula mentioned of Willander. “He’d pivot, return and get it. Gamers would attempt to observe him for a turnover — one taking part in the physique and the opposite attempting to get a free puck — however he’s so elusive.
“He’d simply take the puck to a secure place the place there’s not stress on his accomplice. They might go up open ice collectively due to his pace and the way in which he reads the play.”
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Willander was labeled as a transitional defender, however his offence additionally got here a great distance.
“He received extra pucks on internet and was used on the ability play extra usually,” added Bakula. “He doesn’t shoot it exceptionally onerous, however he finds house. A bit of deception, so he finds that lane to get it to the online.”
That is all nicely and good if the draft dominoes don’t tumble in a distinct path in Nashville. What if Sandin Pellikka or Reinbacher fall to the Canucks?
That’s the place the 2018 draft domino state of affairs wherein the Canucks surprisingly landed Quinn Hughes may come into play as soon as once more.
They’d the No. 7 choice and anticipated to land a defenceman in Evan Bouchard or Noah Dobson, who went tenth and twelfth respectively to the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. That’s due to what occurred earlier.
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Hughes may have gone third to the Montreal Canadiens or fourth to the Ottawa Senators, who each wanted to re-build their again ends.
The Canadiens reached for centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi and the Senators adopted with winger Brady Tkachuk. And even when the Arizona Coyotes picked centre Barrett Hayton, the Detroit Purple Wings may have adopted by zeroing in on Hughes at No. 6.
He grew his sport within the state with the U.S. Nationwide Staff Growth Program, the College of Michigan, and in addition performed for Purple Wings coach Jeff Blashill at two World Hockey Championship occasions. Nonetheless, the Wings took winger Filip Zadina and the Canucks had been ecstatic as a result of Hughes topped their want listing.
Coaches don’t have a say on the draft desk, however Blashill seemed like a prophet when requested by Postmedia to foretell Hughes’ professional potential.
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“I like that he cares a ton, desires to be a participant, has big-time ardour and is keen to get higher,” mentioned Blashill. “I assumed he was a type of guys who had a ability set that was transferable. He’s super-explosive with the very best gamers on the planet due to his skating.”
Zadina has struggled to seek out his NHL sport with 68 factors (28-40) in 190 video games, whereas Hughes turned a Calder Trophy finalist. He has franchise data for many assists (69) and factors (76) by a defender in a single season, and in 283 profession video games, he has 241 factors (26-215).
So, when the primary defenceman is chosen on June 28, the dominoes may begin quick. Who will nonetheless be there at No. 11?
Willander could be the very best wager.
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Originally posted 2023-06-13 21:07:45.
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