Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Sandman · 01-18-2024, 03:57 AM

More Draft Thoughts:

Some more Europeans I love.

There was a time a few years back when LHC Lucas Pettersson might have been considered the top Swede for the 2024 Draft, with his smarts and solid two-way game. He may have been bypassed by a few guys, but he still remains an intriging player for the middle-to-late second round. Pettersson might not be a high-end offensive player, but any team that wants to win needs guys like this- it would seem he's worn a letter for every team he's played for, and wears an "A" for Modo's J20 team this season. 15 goals, 15 assists, for 30 points in 30 J20 games (with 36 PIM, showing a bit of a chip on his shoulder), and got a cup of Java with the SHL team for 3 games. At the Hlinka, where he also wore an "A", he was tied for 5th on team Sweden with 4 points in 4 games. Pettersson plays the right way, and does not cheat the game. He's a true leader in the room and on the ice, where he is often seen directing the troops where to be. He's ultra-competitive, plays a shutdown defensive game, and has a ton of heart- he's not afraid to muck and grind in the greasy areas, and will win pucks in the corners, or along the boards, despite not being the biggest player. He works hard, plays both sides of special teams, and has a seemingly non-stop motor. Playmaking is said to be the most attractive offensive weapon in his arsenal, but as one can deduce from his stats, he's no slouch in the goal-scoring department. He sets up shop in the slot, and creates havok, as well as high-danger opportunities for his teammates. Opponents are drawn to him, and space opens up for his teammates. He's a great passer, but also has the hands to outmanouvre goaltenders, and a pretty decent shot. Defensively, Pettersson uses his fine skating to relentlessly pressure attackers into mistakes, and owns the anticipation and vision to consistently kill plays, and intercept passes. LP plays both directions in transition, and can quickly transport the puck up ice with his feet or his stick, or stop the rush closing in on him. He's not just a meat-and-potatoes guy though, as he can pull off some highlight reel plays. As one might expect, there's plenty of questions about his offensive ceiling, but I would submit that he's got a pretty high floor. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, but who knows? This kid could be another David Krejci, who was also a second-rounder.

Whatever organization drafts RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will be getting a future fan-favorite. The 6'1",195lb power-forward has so far played most of his games with Mora's AllSvenskan Team, the second-highest tier in Sweden, and is currently 7th in scoring for U-20 players, with 11 points in 27 games. He's also put in 7 games with the J20 team (12 points in 7 games), and scored 3 goals and 5 points in 5 WJC games for a weak Team Norway. The main reason he's in the AllSvenskan is that he plays a mature game with good habits. He's big and sturdy, and incredibly strong on his skates, making it virtually impossible to knock him off the puck- couple that with his air-tight puck-protection, and one can see why he never gets stripped of possession. MBN can be a mean power forward who bullies his way around the ice, and is a constant physical threat. He hits often, and hits hard, is very tenacious with high motor, and a load to handle on the forecheck. Very competitive and hard-working. "Explosive" is a word often used to describe his skating- he has excellent speed, uncanny agility and edges, and superb acceleration. He's like a freight train when he's in full stride, but he also has the ability to be elusive with his puck control, deception, and 1-on-1 skill- so he can go around you, or through you. He's a dual-threat, as a powerful shooter, as well as a deft playmaker. He's got a wide array of hard, accurate shots with plenty of deception, but he also has soft hands for the pass, and high IQ and vision to make the right decisions. Nygard works to make himself an open option for offense, and always wants to make something happen. He's more than capable of moving the puck, and contributes well to transition. He has an arsenal of moves, deception, toe-drags, and dekes to weave his way around the ice. If all that wasn't enough for you, Nygard is also an excellent 200-ft player, and some say he's one of the best defensive players in the draft. He uses his speed and physicality to pressure attackers, cut off angles, separate man from puck, and force turnovers. His mobility aids him in transitioning from offense to defense rapidly, and he can often stop rushes before they reach his zone. He will initiate contact in the corners, or along the boards to gain possession. I love this player, and most writers are hard-pressed to find a true weakness. Some say he can look nonchalant in the defensive zone, and that his intensity can wane sometimes. Others question if he truly has high-end offensive ability, as he should perhaps have more points this year, but I might put him in the top-10. I see him as a riser.

Emil Hemming is a 6'2", 196lb RW, who is one of the younger players in this draft, with a June 27th birthday. He wears the "A" for TPS in Finland"s U20, where he has so far collected 9 goals and 15 points in 9 games. His play has earned him 28 games for TPS's Liiga Team, where he has put up 6 goals, and 8 points. In the WJC, as one of the younger players, he has 2 points in 7 games. Lastly, he amassed 9 points in 5 games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Hemming has a little power in his game, as he will use his size to leverage his way around, or bull his way to the net. Obviously, he's an avid shooter with lethal deception, and a lightning quick catch-and release- and needs little time or space to get his shot off. He's got that goal-scorer's mentality, and spacial awareness, as he knows where to be to create offense. Supreme vision in the offensive zone, and high-end skill- he loves to have the puck on his stick- he has slick 1-on-1 moves, and superb puck control. Hemming also likes to go to the net and play in-tight, where he has the hands for tip-ins, and the moves to beat goalies. There are many ways he can put the puck in the net, but he has the vision to make plays as well. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty in puck battles, or in danger areas to keep possession. His skating is said to be above average, with good first-step quickness, but he needs to improve his top speed. I've also read that he loses a lot of speed in turns, and needs more jump in his crossovers. Defensively, he makes good reads, and has good anticipation and awareness, but sometimes lacks intensity battling for possession in this zone. Also, he can hang on to pucks for too long, resulting in turnovers. Too often, Hemming will opt for the shot when a pass is an option, and that can cost his team, but it can also make him too predictable. First-rounder for sure, but he could drop a little.

01-18-2024, 03:57 AM	#399
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	More Draft Thoughts: Some more Europeans I love. There was a time a few years back when LHC Lucas Pettersson might have been considered the top Swede for the 2024 Draft, with his smarts and solid two-way game. He may have been bypassed by a few guys, but he still remains an intriging player for the middle-to-late second round. Pettersson might not be a high-end offensive player, but any team that wants to win needs guys like this- it would seem he's worn a letter for every team he's played for, and wears an "A" for Modo's J20 team this season. 15 goals, 15 assists, for 30 points in 30 J20 games (with 36 PIM, showing a bit of a chip on his shoulder), and got a cup of Java with the SHL team for 3 games. At the Hlinka, where he also wore an "A", he was tied for 5th on team Sweden with 4 points in 4 games. Pettersson plays the right way, and does not cheat the game. He's a true leader in the room and on the ice, where he is often seen directing the troops where to be. He's ultra-competitive, plays a shutdown defensive game, and has a ton of heart- he's not afraid to muck and grind in the greasy areas, and will win pucks in the corners, or along the boards, despite not being the biggest player. He works hard, plays both sides of special teams, and has a seemingly non-stop motor. Playmaking is said to be the most attractive offensive weapon in his arsenal, but as one can deduce from his stats, he's no slouch in the goal-scoring department. He sets up shop in the slot, and creates havok, as well as high-danger opportunities for his teammates. Opponents are drawn to him, and space opens up for his teammates. He's a great passer, but also has the hands to outmanouvre goaltenders, and a pretty decent shot. Defensively, Pettersson uses his fine skating to relentlessly pressure attackers into mistakes, and owns the anticipation and vision to consistently kill plays, and intercept passes. LP plays both directions in transition, and can quickly transport the puck up ice with his feet or his stick, or stop the rush closing in on him. He's not just a meat-and-potatoes guy though, as he can pull off some highlight reel plays. As one might expect, there's plenty of questions about his offensive ceiling, but I would submit that he's got a pretty high floor. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, but who knows? This kid could be another David Krejci, who was also a second-rounder. Whatever organization drafts RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard will be getting a future fan-favorite. The 6'1",195lb power-forward has so far played most of his games with Mora's AllSvenskan Team, the second-highest tier in Sweden, and is currently 7th in scoring for U-20 players, with 11 points in 27 games. He's also put in 7 games with the J20 team (12 points in 7 games), and scored 3 goals and 5 points in 5 WJC games for a weak Team Norway. The main reason he's in the AllSvenskan is that he plays a mature game with good habits. He's big and sturdy, and incredibly strong on his skates, making it virtually impossible to knock him off the puck- couple that with his air-tight puck-protection, and one can see why he never gets stripped of possession. MBN can be a mean power forward who bullies his way around the ice, and is a constant physical threat. He hits often, and hits hard, is very tenacious with high motor, and a load to handle on the forecheck. Very competitive and hard-working. "Explosive" is a word often used to describe his skating- he has excellent speed, uncanny agility and edges, and superb acceleration. He's like a freight train when he's in full stride, but he also has the ability to be elusive with his puck control, deception, and 1-on-1 skill- so he can go around you, or through you. He's a dual-threat, as a powerful shooter, as well as a deft playmaker. He's got a wide array of hard, accurate shots with plenty of deception, but he also has soft hands for the pass, and high IQ and vision to make the right decisions. Nygard works to make himself an open option for offense, and always wants to make something happen. He's more than capable of moving the puck, and contributes well to transition. He has an arsenal of moves, deception, toe-drags, and dekes to weave his way around the ice. If all that wasn't enough for you, Nygard is also an excellent 200-ft player, and some say he's one of the best defensive players in the draft. He uses his speed and physicality to pressure attackers, cut off angles, separate man from puck, and force turnovers. His mobility aids him in transitioning from offense to defense rapidly, and he can often stop rushes before they reach his zone. He will initiate contact in the corners, or along the boards to gain possession. I love this player, and most writers are hard-pressed to find a true weakness. Some say he can look nonchalant in the defensive zone, and that his intensity can wane sometimes. Others question if he truly has high-end offensive ability, as he should perhaps have more points this year, but I might put him in the top-10. I see him as a riser. Emil Hemming is a 6'2", 196lb RW, who is one of the younger players in this draft, with a June 27th birthday. He wears the "A" for TPS in Finland"s U20, where he has so far collected 9 goals and 15 points in 9 games. His play has earned him 28 games for TPS's Liiga Team, where he has put up 6 goals, and 8 points. In the WJC, as one of the younger players, he has 2 points in 7 games. Lastly, he amassed 9 points in 5 games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Hemming has a little power in his game, as he will use his size to leverage his way around, or bull his way to the net. Obviously, he's an avid shooter with lethal deception, and a lightning quick catch-and release- and needs little time or space to get his shot off. He's got that goal-scorer's mentality, and spacial awareness, as he knows where to be to create offense. Supreme vision in the offensive zone, and high-end skill- he loves to have the puck on his stick- he has slick 1-on-1 moves, and superb puck control. Hemming also likes to go to the net and play in-tight, where he has the hands for tip-ins, and the moves to beat goalies. There are many ways he can put the puck in the net, but he has the vision to make plays as well. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty in puck battles, or in danger areas to keep possession. His skating is said to be above average, with good first-step quickness, but he needs to improve his top speed. I've also read that he loses a lot of speed in turns, and needs more jump in his crossovers. Defensively, he makes good reads, and has good anticipation and awareness, but sometimes lacks intensity battling for possession in this zone. Also, he can hang on to pucks for too long, resulting in turnovers. Too often, Hemming will opt for the shot when a pass is an option, and that can cost his team, but it can also make him too predictable. First-rounder for sure, but he could drop a little.