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Sandman · 01-17-2024, 01:46 AM

More Draft Thoughts (Thought i would share some info on a few of my favorite Swedes):

I'm sure I've talked up RHC Simon Zether here before, but I've liked him ever since seeing him in the U-18's in 2023, where he put up 2 points in 7 games as one of the younger players on the team. This season, Zether is one of the older players in the Draft, with an October birthday, and wears the "C" for Rogle's J20 team- amassing 27 points in just 17 games. Z would be co-leader (with potential first-rounder Brandsegg-Nygard) of the scoring race, having a pts/gp of 1.59, had he not been called up for 24 games with the SHL squad, where he posted 3 points. To those concerned about his late birthday, he managed 38 points in 37 J20 games last season. Zether is 6'3", and though he isn't really a true power-forward, and has been criticized for a percieved lack of physicality, he uses his size down low- pushing his way around, leaning on opponents, and making himself a load to handle around the net, where he has the hands and moves in tight to score. He doesn't have to be close in to score though, as he owns a powerful shot with a goalscorer's release, as well as top-tier offensive awareness. Stickhandling is one of his specialties, and he carries with his head up, scanning for options and for open space. Zether knows where to be proactively to maximize his creativity, or get a shot away, and he's a plus passer with excellent playmaking ability. His positioning and awareness is an asset in all 3 zones, where his proactivity puts him in the right place at the right time. He's considered a fine 2-way player with a mature approach, and keeps things very simple in the defensive zone. Zether's skating has steadily improved, and it looks fine from a technical standpoint, but his overall speed needs work. Right now in junior, it's been said that his stride is less noticeable because of his uncanny ability to find, and exploit, open space- but there's plenty of room for improvement. As stated above, he could definitely stand to throw his weight around more, and he needs to get significantly stronger (which will fix some of his mobility issues). I think this kid has a chance to follow in the footsteps of two other big Swedish centers that I really liked in their draft years, in David Edstrom and Filip Bystedt, and perhaps get chosen late first, but early second may be more likely. He reminds me a bit of Sean Monahan, but with more of a defensive conscience.

Melvin Fernstrom is a 6'1"187lb shoot-first RW, plying his trade in the J20 with Orebro, where he's third in league scoring (1st for U-18 players) with 21 goals and 40 points in just 32 games. He was also 2nd in scoring for Sweden at the Hlinka, with 3 goals and 5 points in 4 games. Fernstrom has a little power-forward in his game, and will battle along the boards and down low, and is known as a dangerous forechecker. He will lean into opponents, squeeze them out along the boards, and throw the odd hit to impose his will- though he is not known as the most physical player per se. As a goal-scorer, Fernstrom owns a wicked wrister and one-timer, with a quick release- and his play away from the puck in the offensive zone is a plus, as he knows where and when to be to make himself an option for a pass, or create an opportunity to score. He also shows good recognition of how to find, or open space, and scans for options to make a play rather than taking low-danger shots. He's a shoot-first player, but is no slouch in the playmaking department, and his IQ is first-rate. Ferny is a good, but not great skater, who could stand to work on his explosiveness- his agilty and edges serve him well when playing down low. Defensively, his game gets some mixed reviews- the effort is there, but his play away from the puck in this zone might be lacking a bit- though he's still known by most as a good two-way player. He's plays much better defense in the offensive zone, and the neutral zone, where he seems to be able to proactively stop the rush going the other way. He's competitive, works hard, and wants to do the things necessary to win. Look for him early in the second round.

01-17-2024, 01:46 AM	#394
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	More Draft Thoughts (Thought i would share some info on a few of my favorite Swedes): I'm sure I've talked up RHC Simon Zether here before, but I've liked him ever since seeing him in the U-18's in 2023, where he put up 2 points in 7 games as one of the younger players on the team. This season, Zether is one of the older players in the Draft, with an October birthday, and wears the "C" for Rogle's J20 team- amassing 27 points in just 17 games. Z would be co-leader (with potential first-rounder Brandsegg-Nygard) of the scoring race, having a pts/gp of 1.59, had he not been called up for 24 games with the SHL squad, where he posted 3 points. To those concerned about his late birthday, he managed 38 points in 37 J20 games last season. Zether is 6'3", and though he isn't really a true power-forward, and has been criticized for a percieved lack of physicality, he uses his size down low- pushing his way around, leaning on opponents, and making himself a load to handle around the net, where he has the hands and moves in tight to score. He doesn't have to be close in to score though, as he owns a powerful shot with a goalscorer's release, as well as top-tier offensive awareness. Stickhandling is one of his specialties, and he carries with his head up, scanning for options and for open space. Zether knows where to be proactively to maximize his creativity, or get a shot away, and he's a plus passer with excellent playmaking ability. His positioning and awareness is an asset in all 3 zones, where his proactivity puts him in the right place at the right time. He's considered a fine 2-way player with a mature approach, and keeps things very simple in the defensive zone. Zether's skating has steadily improved, and it looks fine from a technical standpoint, but his overall speed needs work. Right now in junior, it's been said that his stride is less noticeable because of his uncanny ability to find, and exploit, open space- but there's plenty of room for improvement. As stated above, he could definitely stand to throw his weight around more, and he needs to get significantly stronger (which will fix some of his mobility issues). I think this kid has a chance to follow in the footsteps of two other big Swedish centers that I really liked in their draft years, in David Edstrom and Filip Bystedt, and perhaps get chosen late first, but early second may be more likely. He reminds me a bit of Sean Monahan, but with more of a defensive conscience. Melvin Fernstrom is a 6'1"187lb shoot-first RW, plying his trade in the J20 with Orebro, where he's third in league scoring (1st for U-18 players) with 21 goals and 40 points in just 32 games. He was also 2nd in scoring for Sweden at the Hlinka, with 3 goals and 5 points in 4 games. Fernstrom has a little power-forward in his game, and will battle along the boards and down low, and is known as a dangerous forechecker. He will lean into opponents, squeeze them out along the boards, and throw the odd hit to impose his will- though he is not known as the most physical player per se. As a goal-scorer, Fernstrom owns a wicked wrister and one-timer, with a quick release- and his play away from the puck in the offensive zone is a plus, as he knows where and when to be to make himself an option for a pass, or create an opportunity to score. He also shows good recognition of how to find, or open space, and scans for options to make a play rather than taking low-danger shots. He's a shoot-first player, but is no slouch in the playmaking department, and his IQ is first-rate. Ferny is a good, but not great skater, who could stand to work on his explosiveness- his agilty and edges serve him well when playing down low. Defensively, his game gets some mixed reviews- the effort is there, but his play away from the puck in this zone might be lacking a bit- though he's still known by most as a good two-way player. He's plays much better defense in the offensive zone, and the neutral zone, where he seems to be able to proactively stop the rush going the other way. He's competitive, works hard, and wants to do the things necessary to win. Look for him early in the second round.