Cruickshank: Rasmus Andersson needs to respond to conditioning criticism

[sureLoss]

Scott Cruickshank compares Andersson's situation to Ryan Howse. While Andersson won't comment on his current weight, Cruickshank notes that Andersson looks slimmer compared to July's development camp.


http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...ning-criticism

Well, it is September.

Andersson, during informal sessions at WinSport, does look slimmer.

But because there is not a teenager in the world who would find this to be appealing territory, the Swede is rather tight-lipped.

He respects Treliving’s opinion, but he doesn’t feel fitness is an issue.

“I’ve been doing everything in my power to get better on it,” Andersson is saying Friday morning. “So, hopefully, I’ll be better now when the testing comes up (at next week’s medicals). Ever since development camp, I’ve been focusing more on conditioning than strength.”

He explains that this past winter – as he paced all defenders in the Ontario Hockey League with 60 points – there had been significant slippage.

“I didn’t have too good of an off-ice year in Barrie,” Andersson says. “I was more focused on the games, not really as much on the off-ice (work).”

It was roughly at this juncture that the tale of Howse – a 2009 third-rounder who scored 98 times in his final two seasons with the Chilliwack Bruins – soured badly.

Also of note Andersson thought he may have been close to making the team last training camp.

Andersson, meanwhile, steers his own fate.

Already he’s made a legitimate bid for NHL work, impressing in three pre-season outings only months after being drafted 53rd overall.

“I guess I wasn’t too far away,” says Andersson, who turns 20 in October. “But it’s tough for me to say how close I was.”

He can make a resounding statement when he submits to the upcoming round of fitness tests. He will not threaten any club records, but he’d better scrub those summer numbers.

“I’m not comparing to anyone else, I’m comparing to myself,” says Andersson. “I will be better this time than last time.”

As for his actual weight – at development camp or even these days – he is staying mum.

For now.

“Well, I don’t know,” Andersson says. “If you ask me Thursday, I’ll give you an answer.”

[chockfullofgoodness]

I can't wait to see this kid at camp.

[squirtle]

Glad to hear he looks more fit and has been working out. Rasmus has all the talent to succeed

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm still very concerned about this issue for him. He's got enough talent to be a top 4 NHL defenseman, but it's clear that he hasn't been pushed enough by the competition level in Junior to change his habits. The NHL is a major step up in both speed and conditioning. He'll be badly exposed if he doesn't at least get to an average level of fitness.

[Clarkey]

Who cares what his weight or body fat percentage is, this isn't ufc or preening bodybuilding. Everyone has different body types, as long as his fitness testing goes ok and he keeps playing great people need to knock it off with the weight stuff.

[AltaGuy]

I hope he ends up like Drew Doughty - a player whose conditioning was concerning for his team, but then who "got it" and nobody has wondered since. Also a guy who found junior very easy.

And if Andersson turns out to be a similar hockey player, or even half the player, that's cool too.

[bubbsy]

so when does camp open up for the kids. Would prefer his on ice game do the talking.

[Canada 02]

fitness testing on the 15th; then Penticton on the 16th

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Who cares what his weight or body fat percentage is, this isn't ufc or preening bodybuilding. Everyone has different body types, as long as his fitness testing goes ok and he keeps playing great people need to knock it off with the weight stuff.

Exactly. Let's judge the kid based on how he plays the game.

Fitness is important but this can become a 'missing the forest for the trees' thing.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by AltaGuy

I hope he ends up like Drew Doughty - a player whose conditioning was concerning for his team, but then who "got it" and nobody has wondered since. Also a guy who found junior very easy.

And if Andersson turns out to be a similar hockey player, or even half the player, that's cool too.

This exactly. I heard an interview with Patrick O'Sullivan about one year ago (maybe it was his Players Tribute) and he mentioned Doughty in it when he was discussed about training all the time. I think his comment was along the line about how everyone was wondering how this out of shape kid could be picked so high, then they hit the ice and he was the best player on it.

I don't think these high level athletes "out of shape" is the same as us normal people "out of shape"

[MarkGio]

It sounds like from the article he understands that his season off-ice work wasn't good and he's been in the gym this summer

[Samonadreau]

He's 19. Hopefully he had a wake up call and he knows what kind of opportunity he has and it won't be there forever. He's got mad skill and I have high hopes for him.

[wretched34]

Flames site has him listed 7lbs heavier than Wotherspoon, and an inch shorter.
I'm guessing this has a lot less to do with weight and a lot more to do with conditioning.
Look at Byfuglien, or even Kessel, both are much more "out of shape" when looking at them, but have had years of learning how to condition themselves to play at their "out of shape" weight.
I'd love a guy that's as out of shape as Byfuglien on the back end.

[Erick Estrada]

One thing about him playing junior is that the Flames really don't have a lot of influence on what he's doing on and off the ice but once he's on the AHL or NHL roster they can more closely work with him so I'm not overly concerned unless it continues to be an issue under the Flames roof. Not every player needs to be a work out warrior but he needs to understand that he's not going to hit his full potential if his fitness is holding him back.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by wretched34

Flames site has him listed 7lbs heavier than Wotherspoon, and an inch shorter.
I'm guessing this has a lot less to do with weight and a lot more to do with conditioning.
Look at Byfuglien, or even Kessel, both are much more "out of shape" when looking at them, but have had years of learning how to condition themselves to play at their "out of shape" weight.
I'd love a guy that's as out of shape as Byfuglien on the back end.

A lot of young players put in the time and focus in the gym and on the ice but simply haven't been taught the right eating habits. i think that's often the challenge

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Who cares what his weight or body fat percentage is, this isn't ufc or preening bodybuilding. Everyone has different body types, as long as his fitness testing goes ok and he keeps playing great people need to knock it off with the weight stuff.

You realize some of those people are the Flames management, right? With everything they've invested in Andersson, it's unlikely they're going to 'knock it off' because it hurts the kid's feelings or irks some fans.

[Bezer]

In other news: I need to respond to my wife's criticism or my conditioning.

[albertGQ]

Is Anderson AHL eligible this season?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Is Andersson AHL eligible this season?

Yes. He could also be sent back to the OHL for one more season.

Right now, it's up to him to show he belongs in the pros.

[Cantrader]

I remember reading Anderson and mangipane is slated for AHL.