Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Trade] Elias Lindholm + Noah Hanifin to Flames for D. Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, & Adam Fox

Flames Draft Watcher · 06-24-2018, 01:58 PM

I know some will consider this ancient history but here are Hanifin's and Lindholm's scouting reports from years back. May help some of us who haven't seen them much get an idea of their style of game and their upside. Can't seem to find as many reports on Hanifin, I either misplaced my scouting guides or I didn't buy as many that year.

HANIFIN

From Future Considerations

STRENGTHS: Hanifin is a steady, mobile two-way defenseman who loves the offensive side of the game. The one thing he showed time and time again this season and last is that he thinks the game well years beyond his age. He processes it at a very high level and possesses the skills to be able to do what he wants to do in all zones. He is very confident with the puck on his stick and loves to rush the puck himself or join in on the rush. In the defensive zone, he uses his big frame and long stick well. He always leads with his stick to deflect shots/passes off the opposition’s sticks. A gifted, smooth skating defenseman, Hanifin has a good first step and is mobile in all facets of the game. He shows his pro-ready vision and puck smarts on every shift. He plays tough in the corners and in front of the net. He is almost always in the correct position. He has an extremely long reach and uses it well to break up rushes and take away passing lanes. On the rare occasion that he makes a mistake, his calmness and poise allows him to get back in position and play like nothing happened. When his passes do get intercepted or there is a turnover he is quick to instantly apply pressure to his man and limit him from gaining any meaningful ground. His poise is also on display when he has the puck. His passing ability is very impressive; always tape-to-tape, whether the player is in motion or stationary. His shot is also incredibly hard and accurate; a real weapon on the powerplay. Has the size, speed, skill, and smarts at both ends of the ice that allows him to have success. Makes strong reads of the developing play and creates opportunity to get the puck going in the proper direction.

WEAKNESSES: While not really a weakness, it should be noted that Hanifin does not play a very physical game. He has no problem with using his strength to pin an attacker along the wall or close someone off when they try to carry the puck past him but do not look for him to lead the physical game with a big hit or by dropping the gloves. One other thing is that he can over handle the puck on the rush at times. It does not cost him in terms of turning over the puck, but it is an unnecessary risky trait that could be exploited at the NHL level.

SCOUTS QUOTE: “Hanifan is exactly what you look for in a defenseman with franchise defenseman potential. He is a complete defenseman with no glaring weakness. His skating is extremely fluid. He loves to rush the puck and his slick hands make it look like he does it with ease. He is a rock in the defensive zone. He has the potential to be the best American born defenseman in many years. I would take him at number three in June, and if he falls, he will become a pretty big steal for somebody.”

NHL POTENTIAL: Cornerstone Top Pairing Two-Way Defenseman.

LINDHOLM

From Redline Report

"Brings an extreme intensity and sense of urgency to every shift that has been likened to countryman Peter Forsberg. Ultra-competitive and has the drive and special skills to be that type of player. Only average size, but wins a ton of corner battles through sheer determination and comes driving out straight to net with power moves. Has the ability to freeze defenders and seemingly sees every developing play at slow-motion speed, while all others are viewing in fast forward mode. Creative playmaker with marvelous imagination and is highly opportunistic around the cage. More of a set-up guy than finisher, and we’d like to see him shoot the puck a bit more, but he’ll pick up his share of goals by constantly being in scoring areas. At his best playing in the tough, high traffic areas and contests every loose puck. Responsible defensively and plays well away from the puck.

Projection: Strong first line centre

Style compares to: Michael Peca"

From Future Considerations

STRENGTHS: Lindholm has great overall mobility. He moves quick in any direction and has superb acceleration. He does not over-skate situations which some other juniors tend to do. He’s very agile, being able to twist and turn in and out of traffic while using the other tools in his toolbox to create offense. He’s got very good balance, which will help him make up for any physical shortcomings when it comes to protecting the puck and battling for it along the boards. Skating is definitely not his most impressive asset as a hockey player, but nonetheless, his skating helps make Lindholm the complete package he is. His top asset is his vision/smarts/decision-making as Lindholm sees the ice like few others, not only for passing purposes but also in his ability to see the game unfold. He has a great understanding of when to distribute the puck and when to hold on to it a bit longer and look for a better option. Lindholm has a decent frame and uses it well. He isn’t a hard-hitter but he does for sure try to finish his checks regularly and he isn’t afraid of entering the gritty areas. He protects the puck extremely well, has got great hand eye coordination and can handle the puck at a high speed and in tough traffic. He can control the play even when tightly checked along the boards, can play an up-tempo give-and-go style of play down low to make use of his linemates and create opportunities. Lindholm sees the ice extremely well and displays high intelligence in his decision-making. He doesn’t possess the heaviest of shots but is able to shoot intelligently and make the right decisions when to fire the puck. He gets his shots off quickly and they are very accurate. Defensively he backchecks, understanding his assignment, reads the play well and always tries to make himself available for a pass, especially helping his d-men out nicely in their own zone. While he always tries finishing checks, battling hard along the boards, he is not a punishing player and will never be a bruising hitter. He’s strong on his skates, so he can protect the puck, and be relatively successful in board battles as well as scrambles around the crease but succeeds because of his oft-mentioned smartness.

WEAKNESSES: Another one of the highly regarded prospect with little weakness or downside to his game, Lindholm is seen as a prospect that will fill a two-way role similar to a Henrik Zetterberg or Patrice Bergeron as his highest ceiling in the NHL and lacks maybe a little in the offensive flash and dash teams could be looking for with a top-10 selection. Like most youngsters, strength to his frame and consistent efforts from shift-to-shift will need to improve.

SCOUTS QUOTE: “Elias is one of those rare kinds of prospects who you do not fully appreciate until you focus on him for a longer stretch and notice his hockey sense, all the intelligent split second decisions he makes consistently throughout a contest.”

NHL POTENTIAL: Top Line Two-Way Forward

From ISS

Size/Strength GOOD
Skating VERY GOOD
Puck Skills GOOD
Shot VERY GOOD
Offensive Play VERY GOOD
Defensive Play VERY GOOD
Physical Play VERY GOOD
Competitiveness EXCELLENT
Hockey Sense EXCELLENT

Strengths
1. Work Ethic
2. High Hockey IQ
3. Leader

Weaknesses:
1. Needs to get stronger
2. Footspeed/Quickness

Skill: A gritty and hard-working two-way player who makes his entire team better every shift he takes.

Scouting Report: There is very little, if anything at all not to like about Elias Lindholm. He can do a bit of everything and he can do it all very well. While perhaps not an elite offensive producer (yet) he has the desire and drive, and talent, to create lot of offensive opportunities. He excels off transition and is a master at creating turnovers and forcing opponents to make mistakes. He has great hands, especially around the net, is a dynamite faceoff presence and is always engaging opponents in battles. Lindholm has future captain written all over him. He brings it every single shift and can be dominant in all situations. He has some surprising power for his size.

NHL Potential: 2nd line player who can be relied on in the most crucial situations.

Style compares to: Zach Parise

06-24-2018, 01:58 PM	#1551
Flames Draft Watcher In the Sin Bin Join Date: Oct 2001 Exp:	I know some will consider this ancient history but here are Hanifin's and Lindholm's scouting reports from years back. May help some of us who haven't seen them much get an idea of their style of game and their upside. Can't seem to find as many reports on Hanifin, I either misplaced my scouting guides or I didn't buy as many that year. HANIFIN From Future Considerations STRENGTHS: Hanifin is a steady, mobile two-way defenseman who loves the offensive side of the game. The one thing he showed time and time again this season and last is that he thinks the game well years beyond his age. He processes it at a very high level and possesses the skills to be able to do what he wants to do in all zones. He is very confident with the puck on his stick and loves to rush the puck himself or join in on the rush. In the defensive zone, he uses his big frame and long stick well. He always leads with his stick to deflect shots/passes off the opposition’s sticks. A gifted, smooth skating defenseman, Hanifin has a good first step and is mobile in all facets of the game. He shows his pro-ready vision and puck smarts on every shift. He plays tough in the corners and in front of the net. He is almost always in the correct position. He has an extremely long reach and uses it well to break up rushes and take away passing lanes. On the rare occasion that he makes a mistake, his calmness and poise allows him to get back in position and play like nothing happened. When his passes do get intercepted or there is a turnover he is quick to instantly apply pressure to his man and limit him from gaining any meaningful ground. His poise is also on display when he has the puck. His passing ability is very impressive; always tape-to-tape, whether the player is in motion or stationary. His shot is also incredibly hard and accurate; a real weapon on the powerplay. Has the size, speed, skill, and smarts at both ends of the ice that allows him to have success. Makes strong reads of the developing play and creates opportunity to get the puck going in the proper direction. WEAKNESSES: While not really a weakness, it should be noted that Hanifin does not play a very physical game. He has no problem with using his strength to pin an attacker along the wall or close someone off when they try to carry the puck past him but do not look for him to lead the physical game with a big hit or by dropping the gloves. One other thing is that he can over handle the puck on the rush at times. It does not cost him in terms of turning over the puck, but it is an unnecessary risky trait that could be exploited at the NHL level. SCOUTS QUOTE: “Hanifan is exactly what you look for in a defenseman with franchise defenseman potential. He is a complete defenseman with no glaring weakness. His skating is extremely fluid. He loves to rush the puck and his slick hands make it look like he does it with ease. He is a rock in the defensive zone. He has the potential to be the best American born defenseman in many years. I would take him at number three in June, and if he falls, he will become a pretty big steal for somebody.” NHL POTENTIAL: Cornerstone Top Pairing Two-Way Defenseman. LINDHOLM From Redline Report "Brings an extreme intensity and sense of urgency to every shift that has been likened to countryman Peter Forsberg. Ultra-competitive and has the drive and special skills to be that type of player. Only average size, but wins a ton of corner battles through sheer determination and comes driving out straight to net with power moves. Has the ability to freeze defenders and seemingly sees every developing play at slow-motion speed, while all others are viewing in fast forward mode. Creative playmaker with marvelous imagination and is highly opportunistic around the cage. More of a set-up guy than finisher, and we’d like to see him shoot the puck a bit more, but he’ll pick up his share of goals by constantly being in scoring areas. At his best playing in the tough, high traffic areas and contests every loose puck. Responsible defensively and plays well away from the puck. Projection: Strong first line centre Style compares to: Michael Peca" From Future Considerations STRENGTHS: Lindholm has great overall mobility. He moves quick in any direction and has superb acceleration. He does not over-skate situations which some other juniors tend to do. He’s very agile, being able to twist and turn in and out of traffic while using the other tools in his toolbox to create offense. He’s got very good balance, which will help him make up for any physical shortcomings when it comes to protecting the puck and battling for it along the boards. Skating is definitely not his most impressive asset as a hockey player, but nonetheless, his skating helps make Lindholm the complete package he is. His top asset is his vision/smarts/decision-making as Lindholm sees the ice like few others, not only for passing purposes but also in his ability to see the game unfold. He has a great understanding of when to distribute the puck and when to hold on to it a bit longer and look for a better option. Lindholm has a decent frame and uses it well. He isn’t a hard-hitter but he does for sure try to finish his checks regularly and he isn’t afraid of entering the gritty areas. He protects the puck extremely well, has got great hand eye coordination and can handle the puck at a high speed and in tough traffic. He can control the play even when tightly checked along the boards, can play an up-tempo give-and-go style of play down low to make use of his linemates and create opportunities. Lindholm sees the ice extremely well and displays high intelligence in his decision-making. He doesn’t possess the heaviest of shots but is able to shoot intelligently and make the right decisions when to fire the puck. He gets his shots off quickly and they are very accurate. Defensively he backchecks, understanding his assignment, reads the play well and always tries to make himself available for a pass, especially helping his d-men out nicely in their own zone. While he always tries finishing checks, battling hard along the boards, he is not a punishing player and will never be a bruising hitter. He’s strong on his skates, so he can protect the puck, and be relatively successful in board battles as well as scrambles around the crease but succeeds because of his oft-mentioned smartness. WEAKNESSES: Another one of the highly regarded prospect with little weakness or downside to his game, Lindholm is seen as a prospect that will fill a two-way role similar to a Henrik Zetterberg or Patrice Bergeron as his highest ceiling in the NHL and lacks maybe a little in the offensive flash and dash teams could be looking for with a top-10 selection. Like most youngsters, strength to his frame and consistent efforts from shift-to-shift will need to improve. SCOUTS QUOTE: “Elias is one of those rare kinds of prospects who you do not fully appreciate until you focus on him for a longer stretch and notice his hockey sense, all the intelligent split second decisions he makes consistently throughout a contest.” NHL POTENTIAL: Top Line Two-Way Forward From ISS Size/Strength GOOD Skating VERY GOOD Puck Skills GOOD Shot VERY GOOD Offensive Play VERY GOOD Defensive Play VERY GOOD Physical Play VERY GOOD Competitiveness EXCELLENT Hockey Sense EXCELLENT Strengths 1. Work Ethic 2. High Hockey IQ 3. Leader Weaknesses: 1. Needs to get stronger 2. Footspeed/Quickness Skill: A gritty and hard-working two-way player who makes his entire team better every shift he takes. Scouting Report: There is very little, if anything at all not to like about Elias Lindholm. He can do a bit of everything and he can do it all very well. While perhaps not an elite offensive producer (yet) he has the desire and drive, and talent, to create lot of offensive opportunities. He excels off transition and is a master at creating turnovers and forcing opponents to make mistakes. He has great hands, especially around the net, is a dynamite faceoff presence and is always engaging opponents in battles. Lindholm has future captain written all over him. He brings it every single shift and can be dominant in all situations. He has some surprising power for his size. NHL Potential: 2nd line player who can be relied on in the most crucial situations. Style compares to: Zach Parise Last edited by Flames Draft Watcher; 06-24-2018 at 02:02 PM.