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Sandman · 06-03-2021, 03:59 AM

LHD Topias Vilen,6'0"194lbs (Pelicans, Liiga) 35gp/3g/5a/8pts playing 3rd pairing minutes in a men's pro league, with no PP time. A better gauge of his talent would be the U-18s, where wore an "A", and put up 4 pts in 7 games. We aren't really seeing a guy who's able to show off his true talent, as he's playing a little conservatively, and developing his defensive game in the pro league, while playing low minutes. He will get time to develop there in the next few years, and the picture will be a lot clearer. He'll never be too flashy though, he keeps things pretty simple.

Vilen is a good player in all 3 zones. He's a hard worker, and plays with bite-draws a ton of penalties. He's got very good mobility in all directions, and exhibits good gap control. He owns a quick, accurate wrister, and a heavy slapper. Sneaky skill, with good passes, stickhandling, and the ability to jump into the play to create offense. Shows great puck control. He's dependable defensively (although he can be pressured into throwing away the puck under pressure in the Liiga), and plays in his own end with snarl. Good transitional player, with a quality first-pass. Numbers don't yet match up with his ability. Interestingly enough, his numbers this year in the Liiga are very similar to Miro Heiskanen’s in his draft year-though he may not be in the same league.

As stated, Vilen is by no means a finished product-if he was playing in the U20 league, his numbers would most likely be more spectacular. As such, he's playing in the men's league, where he will develop his pro game in the coming year or two. Still needs to get stronger, and work on his offense. This is the kind of player you nab with a mid-to-late pick if he's available. Looks to be a 3rd/ 4th rounder.

06-03-2021, 03:59 AM	#785
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	LHD Topias Vilen,6'0"194lbs (Pelicans, Liiga) 35gp/3g/5a/8pts playing 3rd pairing minutes in a men's pro league, with no PP time. A better gauge of his talent would be the U-18s, where wore an "A", and put up 4 pts in 7 games. We aren't really seeing a guy who's able to show off his true talent, as he's playing a little conservatively, and developing his defensive game in the pro league, while playing low minutes. He will get time to develop there in the next few years, and the picture will be a lot clearer. He'll never be too flashy though, he keeps things pretty simple. Vilen is a good player in all 3 zones. He's a hard worker, and plays with bite-draws a ton of penalties. He's got very good mobility in all directions, and exhibits good gap control. He owns a quick, accurate wrister, and a heavy slapper. Sneaky skill, with good passes, stickhandling, and the ability to jump into the play to create offense. Shows great puck control. He's dependable defensively (although he can be pressured into throwing away the puck under pressure in the Liiga), and plays in his own end with snarl. Good transitional player, with a quality first-pass. Numbers don't yet match up with his ability. Interestingly enough, his numbers this year in the Liiga are very similar to Miro Heiskanen’s in his draft year-though he may not be in the same league. As stated, Vilen is by no means a finished product-if he was playing in the U20 league, his numbers would most likely be more spectacular. As such, he's playing in the men's league, where he will develop his pro game in the coming year or two. Still needs to get stronger, and work on his offense. This is the kind of player you nab with a mid-to-late pick if he's available. Looks to be a 3rd/ 4th rounder. Last edited by Sandman; 06-03-2021 at 06:31 AM.