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Sandman · 02-03-2024, 04:38 AM

Draft Thought:

Why is Norwegian LHD Stian Solberg getting first-round consideration? This season is Solberg's third in the Elitsiterien, Norway's top men's league, and his 11 points in 33 games to date are 3rd in that circuit for players under-20. Solberg played an average of 25 minutes a night for Norway at the WJC, in all situations, and came away with 2 points in 5 games- and a legion of scouts that left impressed. The 6'2",196 defenseman plays even bigger and stronger than his ample frame, with a hard and heavy throwback style, and a well-rounded, grinding physical game. As a top defensive-minded player, he plays tough minutes against the best players, eats minutes like Smarties, and is an intimidating hitter.
Much of Solberg's game is facilitated by his impressive 4-directional speed, acceleration, and change of direction. He's incredibly strong on his skates, has almost impregnable puck-protection, and has good balance, making him nearly impossible to move, or knock off the puck. He stays on his feet, even when delivering a big hit. His backwards skating is also excellent, giving him tight gap control. Solberg is proficient at defending the rush, stopping players in their tracks with hits, a well-timed stick, or by angling attackers to the boards. In the defensive zone, he shuts down lanes, targets opponents in high-danger, and bulldozes attackers in the crease. He has a non-stop motor, sky-high compete, and defends his zone with dogged determination. He will sacrifice his body to deliver an open-ice hit, or to block a shot. Though he acts as a wrecking ball, his hits are clean, and he only has 12 PIMs to date. He's excellent in retrievals, looking over his shoulder to scan for his next move, and seems to love driving the offense through transition- another area where he excels. Solberg is already a stalwart in the defensive end, but he has the high-end IQ, as well as the tools and positional awareness to be more. He keeps his offensive game simple, walking the line with his head up to scan for open lanes, and distributes well, while keeping the play alive. He also has an excellent snap shot that can fool goaltenders through traffic. He can create off the rush, and he knows when to pinch from the point. Simply put, Solberg has underrated offensive tools and upside.
Solberg was drafted in the 2nd round of the CHL Import Draft, 96th overall, by Regina of the WHL. I always have trouble projecting players from places like Norway, as it's not as much of a hockey country, and the competition is inferior, but scouts seem to love this kid. If there are weaknesses in his game, one is the fact that he tries to do too much on occasion, and another is that he can be too overzealous when he wins the puck in the defensive zone, causing turnovers. He needs to keep developing his offense, but he's being considered for the first or second round, with some saying bottom-4, two-way upside.

02-03-2024, 04:38 AM	#612
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	Draft Thought: Why is Norwegian LHD Stian Solberg getting first-round consideration? This season is Solberg's third in the Elitsiterien, Norway's top men's league, and his 11 points in 33 games to date are 3rd in that circuit for players under-20. Solberg played an average of 25 minutes a night for Norway at the WJC, in all situations, and came away with 2 points in 5 games- and a legion of scouts that left impressed. The 6'2",196 defenseman plays even bigger and stronger than his ample frame, with a hard and heavy throwback style, and a well-rounded, grinding physical game. As a top defensive-minded player, he plays tough minutes against the best players, eats minutes like Smarties, and is an intimidating hitter. Much of Solberg's game is facilitated by his impressive 4-directional speed, acceleration, and change of direction. He's incredibly strong on his skates, has almost impregnable puck-protection, and has good balance, making him nearly impossible to move, or knock off the puck. He stays on his feet, even when delivering a big hit. His backwards skating is also excellent, giving him tight gap control. Solberg is proficient at defending the rush, stopping players in their tracks with hits, a well-timed stick, or by angling attackers to the boards. In the defensive zone, he shuts down lanes, targets opponents in high-danger, and bulldozes attackers in the crease. He has a non-stop motor, sky-high compete, and defends his zone with dogged determination. He will sacrifice his body to deliver an open-ice hit, or to block a shot. Though he acts as a wrecking ball, his hits are clean, and he only has 12 PIMs to date. He's excellent in retrievals, looking over his shoulder to scan for his next move, and seems to love driving the offense through transition- another area where he excels. Solberg is already a stalwart in the defensive end, but he has the high-end IQ, as well as the tools and positional awareness to be more. He keeps his offensive game simple, walking the line with his head up to scan for open lanes, and distributes well, while keeping the play alive. He also has an excellent snap shot that can fool goaltenders through traffic. He can create off the rush, and he knows when to pinch from the point. Simply put, Solberg has underrated offensive tools and upside. Solberg was drafted in the 2nd round of the CHL Import Draft, 96th overall, by Regina of the WHL. I always have trouble projecting players from places like Norway, as it's not as much of a hockey country, and the competition is inferior, but scouts seem to love this kid. If there are weaknesses in his game, one is the fact that he tries to do too much on occasion, and another is that he can be too overzealous when he wins the puck in the defensive zone, causing turnovers. He needs to keep developing his offense, but he's being considered for the first or second round, with some saying bottom-4, two-way upside.