I did a bit of a profile on Erixon recently and was able to get some observations from a Swedish writer who gets to watch Erixon first hand. It's pretty much all good news
Erixon has progressed to be a great two-way player. At first, Erixon mainly had defensive tasks, but the coach started to play Erixon on the powerplay more during the season. Erixon showed that he is strong both in the offensive and the defensive game. Erixon made the goal of the year in SEL this season, when he took the puck from own zone and took it all over the field and scored.
The optimist in me is hoping he'll follow in Karlsson's footsteps....that would mean he comes over next fall, starts in the AHL and moves up to the big club a couple months into the season.
Nice to hear a positive report, thanks for all the ground work and info on our prospects Metro. Much appreciated.
I could watch that goal over and over! Nice speed, nice hands!
__________________
Calgary Flames #1 Joe Mullen #1 Al MacInnis #1 Mike Vernon #1 Theo Fleury #1 Gary Suter #1 Hakan Loob #1 Doug Gilmour #1 Lanny McDonald #1 Joe Nieuwendyk #1 Jarome Iginla #1 Gary Roberts #1 Mikka Kiprusoff #1 Mark Giordano #1
Right now it doesn't look like there is any room for him in Calgary. Sending him to the WHL is a waste as he's already excelling in a better league and going to the AHL would use up a year of his entry level contract and UFA. I'd bring him over in 2011 unless he shows that we can really use him on the big club right now.
Right now it doesn't look like there is any room for him in Calgary. Sending him to the WHL is a waste as he's already excelling in a better league and going to the AHL would use up a year of his entry level contract and UFA. I'd bring him over in 2011 unless he shows that we can really use him on the big club right now.
He's committed to Skelleftea next year. He fully plans on staying there at least one more year.
The optimist in me is hoping he'll follow in Karlsson's footsteps....that would mean he comes over next fall, starts in the AHL and moves up to the big club a couple months into the season.
Nice to hear a positive report, thanks for all the ground work and info on our prospects Metro. Much appreciated.
No problem. I have some good news from Brock Otten on TJ Brodie coming up too.
IMO, the Flames D prospect pool is extremely deep. Sure, the forwards may be lacking but the defense don't get much credit.
I wouldn't call it "extremely deep", but it's really good. Definitely the strength in our system. Negrin, Brodie, and Erixon all have good skill sets, and all 3 are said to have shown improvement over the last year at playing defense. Even if only one turns out as a well rounded Dman, as long as one other can play 6th dman minutes and some PP, that's enough really. Matt Pelech is ready IMO, despite his bad camp last year. These guys coupled with Bouwmeester and Giordano could make for a solid D-core in 3 years, that will last a while, and if the contracts are done right, will be cheap.
__________________
"Correction, it's not your leg son. It's Liverpool's leg" - Shankly
I wouldn't call it "extremely deep", but it's really good. Definitely the strength in our system. Negrin, Brodie, and Erixon all have good skill sets, and all 3 are said to have shown improvement over the last year at playing defense. Even if only one turns out as a well rounded Dman, as long as one other can play 6th dman minutes and some PP, that's enough really. Matt Pelech is ready IMO, despite his bad camp last year. These guys coupled with Bouwmeester and Giordano could make for a solid D-core in 3 years, that will last a while, and if the contracts are done right, will be cheap.
No its extremely deep. A ton of potential #3/4 guys. The only thing we are missing is a legit #1 bluechip D prospect.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Patrick For This Useful Post:
No its extremely deep. A ton of potential #3/4 guys. The only thing we are missing is a legit #1 bluechip D prospect.
I realize that there are a ton of potential #3/4 guys. I expect Pelech to turn out for sure, and I expect at least 2 of the other 3 to make it, if not all 3. What I'm saying is, "extremely deep" is about as high a rating as I'd give. It would be something more like Nashville, who have Franson and Blum, or Washington who have Carlsson and Alzner, then a Brodie/Negrin type or 2 each hanging around as well. I do think that the Flames system on D is the best of the rest after those kinds of teams, and I agree that we are only missing that #1 bluechip guy. If we did have that guy, then "extremely deep" is how I'd rate it.
__________________
"Correction, it's not your leg son. It's Liverpool's leg" - Shankly
That sure is an impressive goal. Hopefully Erixon keeps developing and is ready to come over after this year. Pelech still has a lot of work to get to the 3-4 level... he's spent a lot of time in minors and is still trying to break in as a 6-7 guy over Pardy who isn't exactly the biggest obstacle in the planet.
That sure is an impressive goal. Hopefully Erixon keeps developing and is ready to come over after this year. Pelech still has a lot of work to get to the 3-4 level... he's spent a lot of time in minors and is still trying to break in as a 6-7 guy over Pardy who isn't exactly the biggest obstacle in the planet.
He's been better than Pardy for a year. The bigger obstacle is the organization trusting older guys IMO.
__________________
"Correction, it's not your leg son. It's Liverpool's leg" - Shankly
How do we know that? They haven't played at the same level for more than a brief period in two years... we have no idea how Pelech will do against NHL talent.