I agree, saw him against Vancouver the other night and he is a great skater and doesn't shy away from heavy traffic.
Size, well actually his weight, is the only real concern here and he looks like a solid top 60 pick and could trend up into the 1st round with his offensive instincts IMO.
I'm in the other school. I found that he was very ineffective at times because of his lack of strength, and don't think he has enough skill to just rely on skill alone. Although, it was only one game.
I'm in the other school. I found that he was very ineffective at times because of his lack of strength, and don't think he has enough skill to just rely on skill alone. Although, it was only one game.
He didn't have a huge impact in the game but his skill set is pretty good and his skating and not being a perimeter player is good for his case.
He is very slight but at least has the height to gain weight and strength and not lose that speed.
Portland had a couple of other young small speedsters that were quite impressive, Nicolas Petan (13 draft) and Chase De Leo (14 draft) that could also be 1st round guys IMO.
He didn't have a huge impact in the game but his skill set is pretty good and his skating and not being a perimeter player is good for his case.
He is very slight but at least has the height to gain weight and strength and not lose that speed.
Portland had a couple of other young small speedsters that were quite impressive, Nicolas Petan (13 draft) and Chase De Leo (14 draft) that could also be 1st round guys IMO.
Not sure about first round, but I definitely like Petan the most (after Jones obviously). Wow, he was slippery, elusive, had a great touch with the puck, wasn't physical but didn't need to be cause he was so sneaky. Not to mention those quick first steps of his, gives him the potential to be an intercepting weapon.
Again, only one game, I'll see Portland again later in the season, but wasn't extremely impressed with Bjorkstrand. A good offensive prospect but not a guy I would spend a high pick on.
Bjørkstrand has reached a point pr. game statistics with 11G 9A after 20 matches. If he continues his current form then he keeps production equal to Nicklas Jensen for the same age.
Hopefully he will keep growing and gain some bulk, but its hard to know at that age. Anything can happen.
Watched his last game, where he had two goals. The kid can really shoot the puck. Was hesitant to fire it early in the season but with his success he's really gotten more comfortable.
I'd be satisfied with the Canucks taking him late 1st. Team Scandinavia likes them Danish prospects.
Please no in the 1st.
This draft is too deep.
He's a top 90 player I'd imagine...it's not the Canucks style to 'reach' in Round 1 (under Gillis anyways)...Canucks will take the highest ranked forward that drops IMO.
He's a top 90 player I'd imagine...it's not the Canucks style to 'reach' in Round 1 (under Gillis anyways)...Canucks will take the highest ranked forward that drops IMO.
He's one of those guys IMO that teams will have either top 40 or between 60-90.
I need to see more of him, only watched a couple games online and he wasn't great.
I like Petan better, but Bjorkstrand is probably a better NHL prospect because of the larger frame.
Bjork might have a larger frame, but Petan is a more physical player. But when it comes to talent I think Bjork will ultimately be a much better player IMO.
Bjork might have a larger frame, but Petan is a more physical player. But when it comes to talent I think Bjork will ultimately be a much better player IMO.
I felt Petan was the more talented player. Bjorkstrand probably faster and a better frame.
To touch on the Denmark connection, Bjorkstrand admits Jensen's success helped him with the decision to go to Portland:
Quote:
“Nicklas Jensen is from my hometown so I look a lot up to him,” Bjorkstrand admitted. “He also went over here. That’s one of the reasons why I also made the move to go over here.”
He also touched on how quickly he's adjusted to life in the WHL.
Quote:
“I think I’m getting used to it now,” he said. “It was a big adjustment coming over here from Europe. It took a little time but it’s getting better.”
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Great article. Although there a few factual errors. Jensen played for Oshawa Generals, not Kitchener Rangers. The only Dane to play for that team is Mikkel Bødker as far as I know. And Jensen is 200 lbs according to the AIK website, which should be the one most up to date. But those are merely small points, and as said it's a great article. It's nice to hear the words come from Bjorkstrand himself.
It's nice to hear the words come from Bjorkstrand himself.
Definitely. What I found really interesting was the thing regarding who made the decision to go to NA. Remember, first Todd Björkstrand made it clear that he wasn't going anywhere, and that he would play for Herning next season also.
Now we know that it was indeed the first priority from Todd, but he led Oliver make the decision. Todd is a cool guy. Tough, but cool.
How Bjørkstrand is prospect-rated currently:
Here is the "CSS Preliminary 2013 North American Rankings" from nhl.com that list Oliver Bjørkstrand as 11'th in WHL (4'th best forward and best RW). http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=84930
Bjørkstrand is currently at 13G 10A in 25 games for Portland Winterhawks.
A little under a point pr. game, though still looking very like Nicklas Jensen in development year for year in production.
