They hype for this guy is getting out of control. I'll reserve my judgement until I see his stats in the SEL for a full year without the aid of NHL players.
In regards to him at the WJC. I'm super glad he is doing well. It will definitely be good for his development and his confidence to be leaned on heavily by the Swedish team and should push him in the right direction to fix any areas of his game lacking based on the play of others his own age.
Saying that, if Sweden was fully healthy where would he slide in? He'd have to be behind Lindholm and Klefbom. I was positive there was a 3rd defenceman that was injured as well. So he would be either a #3/#4. Claesson, a 6th rounder in 2011 was a top 4 dman for Sweden last year and isn't making me beleive he'll be more than a 6th dman in the NHL. An amazing return for a 6th rounder but a 6th dman is still a 6th dman. They are a dime a dozen and can be had for peanuts. There is no need to be this excited for a guy who's had 2 good games.
Just pointing out that he produced more before the NHL players arrived. he had like 5 goals in the first 4 games.
Charles Hudon went in the 5th round out of the chl no less and made Canada's team as a lock as an 18 year old. Try and find another example of that happening. Crazy **** does happen.
And he certainly didn't belong in the first round.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minister of Offence
And Xpyrit, AP and eberle may have been side by side on the top scorers list but it wasn't hard to see that one was a much better prospect than the other.
The hype around him here around the time was crazy, nobody who was here then can try to deny that. Which is why it's often so pointless.
He's looked great and exceeded expectations thus far, saying much further is unnecessary.
And he certainly didn't belong in the first round.
The hype around him here around the time was crazy, nobody who was here then can try to deny that. Which is why it's often so pointless.
He's looked great and exceeded expectations thus far, saying much further is unnecessary.
It seems as though Mr. The Expert here and myself are in total agreement.
Wikstrand is exceeding expectations, and is playing at a level higher than that expected from a 7th round draft pick. Why do people feel the need to put a label on him this early?
Charles Hudon went in the 5th round out of the chl no less and made Canada's team as a lock as an 18 year old. Try and find another example of that happening. Crazy **** does happen.
And Xpyrit, AP and eberle may have been side by side on the top scorers list but it wasn't hard to see that one was a much better prospect than the other.
If you guys get a chance watch the Swedish game now. It's against Switz, yes but Wikstrand is amazing at how he dictates the game from the point and how he handles the puck defensively.
It's the type of stuff you see from veterans I'm not even kidding watch for yourself.
If you guys get a chance watch the Swedish game now. It's against Switz, yes but Wikstrand is amazing at how he dictates the game from the point and how he handles the puck defensively.
It's the type of stuff you see from veterans I'm not even kidding watch for yourself.
You guys have to turn down the hype machine, I like Wikstrand but I have seen nothing from him so far in this game that warrants major praise.
Compliment him when he truly impresses, not just for the sake of praising him.
We watching the same game, bro? They play with an umbrella system and Wikstrand has made some real good passes to keep the play going even working with broken plays and tough in-close scenarios. He broke up a potential breakaway skating back off a turnover and stopped a couple 1on1 plays with relative ease and brought it back the other way. His pose on display, albeit it's against Swiss.
I'm not even trying to praise him, I'm literally saying what he has done so far.
Sweden is not impressing me whatsoever. Weak shots, getting caught up offside a ton... there doesn't seem like anyone on this team has any chemistry so far. Everyone is a half second out of step.
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