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Flames Draft Watcher · 03-07-2016, 04:24 PM

Since I posted the Chychrun and Tkachuk quotes to be fair I guess we should post the Nylander quotes too.

From http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca

Alex Nylander

"One word: Dynamic. I don’t often use the word elite – it’s something I save for the best of all time – but Nylander has some very elite qualities if he is not elite overall. His puck handling is elite and his hockey IQ is elite, his vision is elite. He is phenomenal in one on one situation. He is extremely elusive; defenders have to be aware of his presence constantly. When I watched him at the Ivan Hlinka, I thought he played a soft game. But that is the furthest thing from the truth in his first OHL season. While he is more physically involved than his older brother, he’s not a basher. But he doesn’t shy away from the physical game – he’ll take what the opposition throws at him and keeps on going. Nylander will also battle along the boards even though he needs to add some bulk. He plays it smart and has excellent puck possession skills, even in those battles. While he can improve defensively, he’s no slouch in that aspect of his game either. He works extremely hard to get back on the backcheck, and it’s helped out greatly by his skating." - Dominic Tiano

"Play at the World Juniors aside, Alex Nylander has quickly become arguably the top Ontario Hockey League forward available in the upcoming draft. Nylander is equally as smart as he is skilled. While the natural skill set is undeniably good, Nylander's anticipation, on ice awareness, play away from the puck and overall hockey sense is off the charts. All of which that when combined with his high end skill set allow him to a high end NHL prospect. In possession Nylander displays elite vision and playmaking skills, along with high end puck skills and an ability create something out of nothing. A strong skater, Nylander possesses above average speed and strong change of pace/direction abilities that when combined with his high end puck skills and hockey sense allow him to be extremely shifty and elusive. Most impressive about Nylander's skating is his separation speed. Nylander often catches unsuspecting defenders flat footed when he turns on his second gear, beating the opposition to high percentage scoring areas. Boasting an absolutely lethal shot, that combines a quick release with pin point accuracy, Alex Nylander is a lethal offensive threat. Defensively speaking Nylander is consistently engaged in the play and makes himself effective in his own zone, although if there is one knock against him, he does turn the puck over looking to get creative in zone exits in his own zone, which in turn can lead to quality scoring chances for the opposition." - Mike Mackley

"Nylander has wowed me in all of my live viewings with the Steelheads this season. Sweden’s best player at Hlinka Memorial, including a handful of dazzling plays in their Gold Medal loss to Canada (created all three of Sweden’s goals in the 7-3 loss) certainly helps. One of three draft-eligible forwards to make Team Sweden at the WJCs and he didn’t disappoint, leading the team in scoring. A shifty skater, jumps in and out of traffic with the puck, weaving his way around the ice. Likes to cut to the inside and open up opportunities for drop passes or a lane for a teammate. He out-performed fellow top prospects and linemates Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian in my viewings this year. Not afraid to cut to the middle and shoot if defenders anticipate pass. Lethal shot, shifts his weight effortlessly for a quick snap, can score high from the high slot. He has one of the most accurate shots I’ve seen in recent years in the OHL and QMJHL. Plays the point on the powerplay, plays on the penalty kill as well — more responsible defensively than he’s given credit. Can score with ease using his slapshot from the point too – low follow through, loose grip. I think Nylander should be considered a strong candidate to for 5th or 6th overall. But then again, I had William ranked No. 5/6 in 2014 and he went 8th. Déjà vu in 2016? Maybe." - Scott Wheeler

"Despite being slightly undersized (6'0'' 176) Nylander is an electrifying talent, who can simply dazzle fans, scouts and announcers. Able to create plays in the heaviest of traffic, Alexander can also control the pace of the game with the puck on his stick as well as being able to change the course of a game with one shift. In the offensive zone Alexander is more then prepared to head to the next level, however his deficiencies are on the defensive side of the game, Alexander can get lost in neutral & defensive zone coverage BUT can create immediate transition by using his speed to capture pucks in the defensive zones. Although not a physical player, Nylander uses his tremendous skill and puck sense to remove pucks from board battles before he can get pinned down. A player who with some work on the defensive side can be an impact pro." - Reed Duthie

"An elusive skater with elite hockey smarts. He is a strong puckhandler and has fantastic vision which makes for great playmaking skills. His agility and fancy footwork allows himself to get out of trouble. Nylander is also intimidating as a goal scorer as he has a very accurate shot combined with soft hands. He tends to shoot more from the outside when he is bringing the puck in otherwise, without the puck he finds open spaces and gets in perfect positioning for a shot in close. He is not an overly physical player, but does not shy away from it and is able to come out with the puck with battles along the board and in the corners." - Kathryn Jean

"Might have the best pure skill in the OHL...Will bring fans out of their seats...Getting better defensively...High ceiling." - Mark Seidel

Knowing the Flames do value size if they select Nylander it will be high praise for him and I will be excited about his talent.

03-07-2016, 04:24 PM	#1011
Flames Draft Watcher In the Sin Bin Join Date: Oct 2001 Exp:	Since I posted the Chychrun and Tkachuk quotes to be fair I guess we should post the Nylander quotes too. From http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca Alex Nylander "One word: Dynamic. I don’t often use the word elite – it’s something I save for the best of all time – but Nylander has some very elite qualities if he is not elite overall. His puck handling is elite and his hockey IQ is elite, his vision is elite. He is phenomenal in one on one situation. He is extremely elusive; defenders have to be aware of his presence constantly. When I watched him at the Ivan Hlinka, I thought he played a soft game. But that is the furthest thing from the truth in his first OHL season. While he is more physically involved than his older brother, he’s not a basher. But he doesn’t shy away from the physical game – he’ll take what the opposition throws at him and keeps on going. Nylander will also battle along the boards even though he needs to add some bulk. He plays it smart and has excellent puck possession skills, even in those battles. While he can improve defensively, he’s no slouch in that aspect of his game either. He works extremely hard to get back on the backcheck, and it’s helped out greatly by his skating." - Dominic Tiano "Play at the World Juniors aside, Alex Nylander has quickly become arguably the top Ontario Hockey League forward available in the upcoming draft. Nylander is equally as smart as he is skilled. While the natural skill set is undeniably good, Nylander's anticipation, on ice awareness, play away from the puck and overall hockey sense is off the charts. All of which that when combined with his high end skill set allow him to a high end NHL prospect. In possession Nylander displays elite vision and playmaking skills, along with high end puck skills and an ability create something out of nothing. A strong skater, Nylander possesses above average speed and strong change of pace/direction abilities that when combined with his high end puck skills and hockey sense allow him to be extremely shifty and elusive. Most impressive about Nylander's skating is his separation speed. Nylander often catches unsuspecting defenders flat footed when he turns on his second gear, beating the opposition to high percentage scoring areas. Boasting an absolutely lethal shot, that combines a quick release with pin point accuracy, Alex Nylander is a lethal offensive threat. Defensively speaking Nylander is consistently engaged in the play and makes himself effective in his own zone, although if there is one knock against him, he does turn the puck over looking to get creative in zone exits in his own zone, which in turn can lead to quality scoring chances for the opposition." - Mike Mackley "Nylander has wowed me in all of my live viewings with the Steelheads this season. Sweden’s best player at Hlinka Memorial, including a handful of dazzling plays in their Gold Medal loss to Canada (created all three of Sweden’s goals in the 7-3 loss) certainly helps. One of three draft-eligible forwards to make Team Sweden at the WJCs and he didn’t disappoint, leading the team in scoring. A shifty skater, jumps in and out of traffic with the puck, weaving his way around the ice. Likes to cut to the inside and open up opportunities for drop passes or a lane for a teammate. He out-performed fellow top prospects and linemates Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian in my viewings this year. Not afraid to cut to the middle and shoot if defenders anticipate pass. Lethal shot, shifts his weight effortlessly for a quick snap, can score high from the high slot. He has one of the most accurate shots I’ve seen in recent years in the OHL and QMJHL. Plays the point on the powerplay, plays on the penalty kill as well — more responsible defensively than he’s given credit. Can score with ease using his slapshot from the point too – low follow through, loose grip. I think Nylander should be considered a strong candidate to for 5th or 6th overall. But then again, I had William ranked No. 5/6 in 2014 and he went 8th. Déjà vu in 2016? Maybe." - Scott Wheeler "Despite being slightly undersized (6'0'' 176) Nylander is an electrifying talent, who can simply dazzle fans, scouts and announcers. Able to create plays in the heaviest of traffic, Alexander can also control the pace of the game with the puck on his stick as well as being able to change the course of a game with one shift. In the offensive zone Alexander is more then prepared to head to the next level, however his deficiencies are on the defensive side of the game, Alexander can get lost in neutral & defensive zone coverage BUT can create immediate transition by using his speed to capture pucks in the defensive zones. Although not a physical player, Nylander uses his tremendous skill and puck sense to remove pucks from board battles before he can get pinned down. A player who with some work on the defensive side can be an impact pro." - Reed Duthie "An elusive skater with elite hockey smarts. He is a strong puckhandler and has fantastic vision which makes for great playmaking skills. His agility and fancy footwork allows himself to get out of trouble. Nylander is also intimidating as a goal scorer as he has a very accurate shot combined with soft hands. He tends to shoot more from the outside when he is bringing the puck in otherwise, without the puck he finds open spaces and gets in perfect positioning for a shot in close. He is not an overly physical player, but does not shy away from it and is able to come out with the puck with battles along the board and in the corners." - Kathryn Jean "Might have the best pure skill in the OHL...Will bring fans out of their seats...Getting better defensively...High ceiling." - Mark Seidel Knowing the Flames do value size if they select Nylander it will be high praise for him and I will be excited about his talent. Last edited by Flames Draft Watcher; 03-07-2016 at 04:27 PM.