I'd like to see him play a year in the SEL before he comes over. That said, he's made good progress this year, and the lockout has certainly helped his development by exposing him to some NHLers in Allsvenskan.
__________________ CanadianHockey________ __ __________Sens, Oilers, and Team Canada
Well, we waited a full year after he was drafted before thinking about giving him NHL games, and even then he needed an AHL stint. That's how the EK experiment worked.
... so if we're following Karlsson's path, Wikstrand shouldn't be considered for an NHL role until next year, with the very likely possibility that he spends part of the year with Bingo... and that's comparing our 7th round pick to the reigning Norris trophy winner. If you want to compare him to almost anyone else on earth, he needs more time.
Also: Wikstrand hasn't even played a single SEL game yet, let alone the NHL. He hasn't even made it to the "big leagues" in Sweden yet, let alone the best league in the world.
Well, we waited a full year after he was drafted before thinking about giving him NHL games, and even then he needed an AHL stint. That's how the EK experiment worked.
... so if we're following Karlsson's path, Wikstrand shouldn't be considered for an NHL role until next year, with the very likely possibility that he spends part of the year with Bingo... and that's comparing our 7th round pick to the reigning Norris trophy winner. If you want to compare him to almost anyone else on earth, he needs more time.
Also: Wikstrand hasn't even played a single SEL game yet, let alone the NHL. He hasn't even made it to the "big leagues" in Sweden yet, let alone the best league in the world.
Let's give the kid some room to breathe.
People can't read:
If you read my OP, I mention that he could could play in the NHL next year, same as EK - one year after he was drafted.
Are you talking about that Karlsson which game was full of holes when he started?
From another thread:
Quote:
Originally Posted by danishh
lundin out.
i'm betting on benoit being brought up for that 6-spot and 2nd PP QB duty, though ceci making the team is an alternate option.
If MW was drafted in the first round we would not be having this discussion.
If you look at both players Wikstrand is more NHL ready than Ceci. Ceci could not even be chosen for Canada.
Wikstrand was Sweden their number one guy. Ok maybe because of injuries but still he was their go to guy against the best opposing players
I think No, and I think I'm right to say it but I guess crazier things have happened. Meszaros came up really young and was fine. Wikstrand is playing at a high level and doing well, so I guess its possible, but I think he'll need another year (after this one) of development before he seriously contends for our roster.
If you read my OP, I mention that he could could play in the NHL next year, same as EK - one year after he was drafted.
To be fair to those that misunderstood, your title seems to be misleading. The title asks if he is NHL ready, and that's the first thing we read so not surprising that so many people took it that way.
I think No, and I think I'm right to say it but I guess crazier things have happened. Meszaros came up really young and was fine. Wikstrand is playing at a high level and doing well, so I guess its possible, but I think he'll need another year (after this one) of development before he seriously contends for our roster.
mezzy played in the WHL though.
transplanting wikstrand from the 2nd-tier swedish league to the NHL seems like a bad idea. A really bad idea.
