Interesting report from the former head scout at McKeen's on Liljegren:
https://recrutes.ca/5-nations-cup-u-...report-sweden/
Quote:
Timothy Liljegren – Scouts are still waiting to see the phenom that was heralded going into the draft year as a surefire top two prospect expected to give Nolan Patrick the best run for his money for the first pick overall.
It’s not like this latest disappointing performance was an aberration – Liljegren was subpar in the summer at the Ivan Hlinka, struggled upon his return from mono with Rogle in the SHL and ending up being demoted, and average at best in this 5 Nations Tournament. A 6-0 defenceman that is supposed to be special offensively should not be stuck on the second power-play unit and end the tournament without a goal, especially when he continues to have struggles defensively because he tries to do too much at times and lacks vision.
Concerns about his hockey sense abound in the scouting world, and there have been more than a few whispers about him following a similar path to Oliver Kylington, who like Liljegren was a 6-0, swift-skating offensive defenceman pegged as a top five prospect going into his draft year only to drop to 60th overall by draft day due to sense issues. Liljegren isn’t reaching Kylington levels in his draft season brain cramping..but it is becoming more and more of a concern.
“I’d be nervous taking him in the top five,” noted one scout who was stating the obvious. They (hockey pundits) don’t put him under the microscope.”
It’s difficult seeing a team looking at Liljegren in the top ten…and if he’s not any better in the U-18’s he may not go in the top 20 either by draft day.
|