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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 28, 2022 10:53:04 GMT -5
Seattle and Spokane resumed their WHL action last night with a good old fashioned barn burner. Seattle prevailed 7-5 and Davidson had a four point night (2+2). I will watch the game later as I have been catching up on some of our prospects to give them a closer watch to their overall games. The bonus is his linemate, Sawchyn, had a 2+2 night as well and is draft eligible, and starting to pop up in second round lists.
Seattle was newly minted before Xmas as #1 on the CHL top ten list, edging out Winnipeg. They are down four guys to Team Canada with starting goalie Milic, defenders Allen and Korchinski and power forward Schaefer.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 28, 2022 16:03:16 GMT -5
Seattle and Spokane resumed their WHL action last night with a good old fashioned barn burner. Seattle prevailed 7-5 and Davidson had a four point night (2+2). I will watch the game later as I have been catching up on some of our prospects to give them a closer watch to their overall games. The bonus is his linemate, Sawchyn, had a 2+2 night as well and is draft eligible, and starting to pop up in second round lists. Seattle was newly minted before Xmas as #1 on the CHL top ten list, edging out Winnipeg. They are down four guys to Team Canada with starting goalie Milic, defenders Allen and Korchinski and power forward Schaefer. Reid Schaefer was another Canada pick that raised my eyebrows. Not having a great season. 27 points in 22 games is ok but not inspiring, especially on a good, high scoring team. |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 28, 2022 17:22:32 GMT -5
Good article from The Athletic about Adam Engstrom. I've copied and pasted it rather than a link because it's only available to subscribers. As I rule, when I do this, I recommend spending the money (around $100 Cdn a year) for a subscription, but there's an introductory special right now for $1 a month for the first year. In any case, I'm a cheap spender and even I don't mind the cost for what I get out of it.
Why Canadiens prospect Adam Engstrom has seen his game take off
By Scott Wheeler Dec 28, 2022
HALIFAX, N.S. — A little more than a year ago, when Rogle BK general manager Chris Abbott began asking around with scouts to get their thoughts on Sweden’s most underrated young players, one name from Djurgardens IF, a team loaded with talent for the 2022 NHL Draft, kept coming up.
It wasn’t Jonathan Lekkeriamki’s, the would-be first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks. It wasn’t Noah Ostlund’s, the would-be first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres. It wasn’t Liam Ohgren’s, the would-be first-round pick of the Minnesota Wild. It wasn’t Calle Odelius’, the would-be second-round pick of the New York Islanders, either.
It was their older teammate, defenceman Adam Engstrom, the late 2003 birthday of the group. At the time, those whispers about Engstrom being one of the better 2003-born defencemen in the country hadn’t extended to his draft status though. When NHL Central Scouting released its players to watch list for the 2022 class, he wasn’t among the nearly 375 players on it. They hadn’t risen to the national team, either. To that point, Engstrom had never represented Sweden internationally. But Abbott and his staff, always keen to potentially bring in 17-, 18- and 19-year-old players that might be capable of taking a big step in their development, decided to put him on their radar and follow him closely.
As the season progressed, though he never drew the notoriety of his highly-touted teammates, whispers about Engstrom then turned into chatter and then even some buzz. When scouts showed up to watch Lekkerimaki, Ostlund, Ohgren, and Odelius, they were often impressed by him. At midseason, he made his first appearance on NHL Central Scouting’s list, ranking No. 81 on their list of European skaters. At season’s end, he’d risen all the way to No. 38 on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of European skaters.
Eventually, the Montreal Canadiens selected him with the No. 92 pick in the third round of the draft. Knowing then that Djurgarden’s pro team was going to be relegated from the SHL to the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan, and that because of that they would be in less of a position the following year to play all five of their promising young players as they tried to earn promotion back into the top flight, Abbott reached out to Engstrom’s camp.
He wasn’t promised anything, and Abbott wasn’t prepared to give him a rookie contract in the SHL, but Rogle wanted to bring him in on a junior contract and work with him, like they had before with other young defencemen, including Detroit’s Moritz Seider and William Wallinder.
Eventually, with the support of the Canadiens, Engstrom decided to make the move.
His play since has put him on everyone’s radar.
Today, just a year after he made that first appearance near the bottom of NHL Central Scouting’s midseason ranking, he’s now signed to that rookie SHL contract and playing for Team Sweden for the first time — on its first pairing at the world juniors no less.
A couple of weeks ago, before he left for the tournament, he played 19:02, 16:11, 20:30, 19:41 and 17:33 in his last five games for Rogle.
In his first game of the world juniors and — according to him — his first game on the smaller North American ice, he picked up two assists, registered two shots on goal, and finished plus-4 in an 11-0 win against Austria. In his second game, he scored the lone goal in Sweden’s tight 1-0 win over Germany, walking the line and placing a shot through to the net for his third point in four periods, and was out late for a trio of shifts in the final five minutes.
Just like those whispers foretold, he has taken off.
When Senators prospect Oskar Pettersson is asked about his Rogle and Tre Kronor teammate, he speaks of the 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-shot defenceman almost like a forward.
“(Engstrom) plays with a lot of confidence. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen any other D that plays with that confidence,” Pettersson said. “His hockey IQ is very, very good. He sees the plays out there. He makes very good plays both from down low and also from the blue line. He likes to deke and make some nice moves, but he can also make great passes and really shoot it.”
That — the offensive side of the game — is where his untapped potential was. Though he posted 10 goals and 35 points in a combined 51 regular-season and playoff games with Djurgardens’ junior team last year, three more than Odelius’ 32 in 49, it was Odelius who got the greater share of the power-play time and SHL opportunity (Odelius played seven SHL games to Engstrom’s one last year), which hid some of Engstrom’s own talent. The same is true in Halifax with the national team, where its 2023 draft-eligible defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka running the power play while Engstrom has been tasked with a five-on-five and penalty-killing role.
But when the puck dropped on this season and Engstrom began the year with Rogle’s junior level, he’d just spent all summer working on his game on the blue line, practicing entries, and working on new ways to “create some time” for himself.
The impact was immediate, with Engstrom going for one goal and four points on five shots in his debut with Rogle’s junior team. After posting three goals and nine points from the back end at the J20 level through September, Abbott then signed him to a professional contract in short order. Before the first month of the season was over, he’d already scored his first SHL goal (in just his fourth game at the new level), too.
From there, he hasn’t looked back, playing primarily at the SHL level since the start of October. Heading into the world juniors, he’d played 32 games for the pro club in SHL and Champions Hockey League action, registering four goals and seven points.
The summer of work and the move to Rogle both paid off, impressing Abbott.
“He’s a very mobile, intelligent, offensive-minded guy who does a lot of very creative things on the blue line, sees the ice real well from his own end and through the neutral zone, and can also evade forecheckers with his skating, IQ, and patience in deception to make guys make the wrong reads on him. He’s a scorer, too. He’s got a good head-up mentality from the blue line and I like to see that. He can certainly run a power play. I can see him doing that in the future for us even more,” Abbott said. “He’s a dynamic player and he continues to take steps in his game adding different attributes throughout the season here, whether it’s being more risk-on on the offensive-zone blue line where if he has opportunities to beat guys he can, and yet at the same time not give up a lot defensively because that’s a big area in our league is making sure that you’re net-positive overall. He has done a really good job of being that for us.”
The underlying numbers reflect Abbott’s belief that he has been a net-positive in the SHL as an 18- and 19-year-old (Engstrom turned 19 in November), as well. With Engstrom on the ice at five-on-five, Rogle have outshot the opposition 248-222 (53 CF%).
He has made a similar impression off of the ice as well.
“He’s been awesome. He just wanted an opportunity. We tend to under-promise and then over-deliver as far as the opportunity. He quickly proved that he should have his opportunity with our pro team and when he has gotten it he has taken it,” Abbott said. “It just speaks to his confidence in himself and his humbleness at the same time. He’s just a really fun guy, really fun teammate. He’s mature, professional, really listens well and is very coachable. I’ve not got a bad thing to say about him and I don’t mind calling it like it is.”
That strong impression has continued with Team Sweden, where Rogle’s assistant general manager Hampus Sjostrom is also the manager of this year’s national under-20 team.
He’s got a big role to play on a Swedish team that is without a clear No. 1 defenceman after Red Wings first-rounder Simon Edvinsson wasn’t loaned to the team.
So far, Magnus Havelid, the team’s head coach, has liked what he has seen, praising Engstrom, who began the tournament alongside alternate captain Victor Sjoholm, for his sharpness and quickness on the back end.
“Everybody’s level needs to step up a little bit extra (without Edvinsson). We need everybody on the defence. (Engstrom) can jump the ice and not just skating with the puck. He’s mobile — he can go both offensively and defensively. So I can use him in a lot of situations,” Havelid said. “I think he has developed great in Rogle. For him, when you know what’s right and wrong, I think it’s good. Before this tournament, he was playing really, really well in the SHL.”
Cam Abbott, Chris’ twin brother and the head coach of Rogle BK, chuckles from his home in Sweden on a Tuesday evening call when he’s asked about the rise of Engstrom.
His steep trajectory isn’t just about his game offensively, he says. His talent is clear to see when he has the puck at the offensive-zone blue line, or he’s skating it up ice, but the progress elsewhere in his game deserves equal credit for his ascension.
“Adam’s a kid with an incredible skill set but also an ability to take in information and make adjustments to his game. He has done it very quickly from essentially being a junior-aged defenceman with ability on the offensive side to a guy who has really raised his bar defensively with us. He’s a really fun kid to work with who has earned this, works really hard, and is very coachable,” Cam says.
“I don’t think he has been pushed at the junior levels to really take pride, as he has had to with us, in his defensive responsibilities, in the first half of the season with us. He’s continually pushing himself to defend more effectively and for a kid with his skill set to balance that offensive risk/reward, it’s something I think he’s continually doing better and better.”
That growth in his own zone, which he says has also been helped by regular communication with the Canadiens throughout the season, has allowed him to take on a more defensive role with Team Sweden with confidence.
“I feel comfortable. I feel good. I accept the role that I get here. I can play wherever they want me to,” he said.
To find a suitable comparison for how quickly he has progressed, Chris used another rising star from Rogle.
“We saw Wallinder on the first go-around not get taken by the national team and then ended up winning the Swedish rookie of the year over even (Simon) Edvinsson,” Chris said.
Added Cam: “He’s just getting started.”
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 29, 2022 1:17:36 GMT -5
Davidson with another goal and two assists in a 6-5 win over Spokane. These teams like their pond hockey. The TBirds definitely miss their starting goalie and two of their top defenders who are playing with Canada right now.
This is bonkers.
Guess I should go back and watch this game too!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 29, 2022 16:37:32 GMT -5
U of Minnesota is playing this afternoon. Pitlick already has two goals! He ended up the game with 2 goals, including the GWG and first star of the game, in a 3-2 exhibition win over the US U18 NTDP team.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 13:43:29 GMT -5
The blast from the point goes in off Heineman for his third SHL goal of the season.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 13:49:46 GMT -5
TSN will be streaming the BU vs Harvard game at 7:00pm tonight on their app. The game would normally feature three prospects but Hutson is busy at the WJC. It will be Farrell vs Tuch tonight.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 20:47:55 GMT -5
Up where grandma hides her cookies. Had an assist earlier.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 20:50:35 GMT -5
Kidney with three points so far.
Beck with the go ahead goal.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 21:35:45 GMT -5
There is sticking up for your goalie and then there is this! Up 7-4 but he sends a message. May get a night off out of it next game though.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 30, 2022 22:19:16 GMT -5
Did not see this coming.
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 30, 2022 22:49:27 GMT -5
There is sticking up for your goalie and then there is this! Up 7-4 but he sends a message. May get a night off out of it next game though. You need a little crazy sometimes... how many times have we screamed when Price got abused |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 31, 2022 9:45:50 GMT -5
So final tally from yesterday’s action:
Heineman 1g
Beck 1g
Sobolev 1a
Kidney 1g 3a
Mailloux 1g 2a and a match penalty
Davidson 1a and a KO
Farrell 1a
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 31, 2022 15:43:06 GMT -5
The OHL gives Mailloux some time off.
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Post by IamCanadiens on Dec 31, 2022 17:51:19 GMT -5
I watched the replay repeatedly. This guy was not pushed into the goalie but intentionally landed on him. As a person who is not big on violence in hockey, I had no issue with the retaliation. Don't !@#$ with goalies.
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Post by Willie Dog on Dec 31, 2022 22:35:59 GMT -5
I watched the replay repeatedly. This guy was not pushed into the goalie but intentionally landed on him. As a person who is not big on violence in hockey, I had no issue with the retaliation. Don't !@#$ with goalies. I am ok with a 3 game suspension... of course the instigator got nothing |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 1, 2023 15:35:15 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 3, 2023 12:24:57 GMT -5
A little different thing for this post: CHL trades and trade deadline talk and how it will or may impact our prospects playing in the CHL.
Mešár will return back to a very different Kitchener Rangers club after the WJC than he left in December. In that stretch they have added two top six forwards in OHL leading scorer Francesco Arcuri from Kingston and Danny Zhilkin from Guelph. The Rangers were sort of wallowing in middling ground and underachieving a bit, so rather than selling off they have decided to go for it. Mešár has not had the greatest linemates on the second line, but that is about to change with these two new additions and the team will have a much better top two lines no matter how they mix and match the forwards now.
The other big OHL trade deadline talk related to the WJC is to which of the many suitors will Kingston trade Shane Wright. Mailloux’s London Knights are right in the thick of things in a playoff race, but I am not sure if the Hunters would give up a king’s ransom of prospects/picks for a half season of him as they seem to like always being at least somewhat competitive every season. Anyway, they are definitely a team that could use a player like Wright. More to come on where he ends up.
In the Q, it is expected Riley Kidney will be on the move to a contender too. The Titan have already moved one of their top forwards and Kidney is on the trade block but teams have not met the asking price yet.
The current beast of the West is Davidson’s Seattle TBirds, who have more than held their own with four guys off with Team Canada. They will get a big boost with those guys back and not sure if they will add another piece. They already added Prokop (Guhle’s old D partner from last season) in September so they are pretty strong throughout the lineup. A team to watch if they add a depth piece.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 5, 2023 15:58:43 GMT -5
Dichow vs Heineman went head to head today in the SHL. Frölunda won 4-2, Dichow with the win and first star, and both prospects had an assist. Dichow’s came on the ENG to finish up the game.
The Kidney trade watch is on full alert. The Q trade deadline is tomorrow and the Titan kept him out of the lineup in last night’s game adding fuel to the fire.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 6, 2023 11:18:18 GMT -5
Kidney off to Gatineau.
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Post by franko on Jan 6, 2023 12:42:26 GMT -5
oh ma-an, I really did move one year too early |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 6, 2023 14:47:00 GMT -5
oh ma-an, I really did move one year too early And the Oil Kings were #1 in the Dub last year, and dead last this year! While they may be rebuilding right now, at least Bedard still visits a few times a year. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 6, 2023 16:24:35 GMT -5
Davidson’s Seattle Thunderbirds, the CHL #1, could be getting even stronger. And in addition to Lambert, four guys return to the lineup with gold medals: Milic, Allan, Korchinsky, and Schaefer.
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Post by Tankdriver on Jan 6, 2023 18:05:54 GMT -5
Sherbrooke is also stocking up on some good players and taking a run for it this year. Hopefully Joshua Roy adds some more hardware to his trophy case.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 7, 2023 9:56:11 GMT -5
Another prospect on the move. Beck will go from Mississauga to Peterborough, and join fellow gold medalist Othmann. The Petes are loading up for a projected playoff clash against the powerhouse Ottawa 67s. Now, will one of those two also get Wright?
Interesting to see that Mississauga is in full fire sale mode. Marek is also reporting that their two other big names in Del Mastro and Del Bel Belluz will be on the move too.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 7, 2023 15:25:23 GMT -5
Nifty little backhand pass for the assist for Heineman today. Leksands still lost 4-2 though.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 7, 2023 16:21:27 GMT -5
Beck trade to the Petes is official. Big return for him.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 7, 2023 16:25:34 GMT -5
Princeton were up 3-0 in the third against Harvard last night. Farrell then assisted on the first two Crimson goals and laid a big hit to cause a turnover for the third and tying goal. Harvard then completed the comeback win in OT. Huge third period for Farrell.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 7, 2023 16:57:12 GMT -5
Davidson’s Seattle Thunderbirds just traded for Colton Dach, to add a fifth member of the gold medal winning Team Canada to their lineup (and Brad Lambert from Team Finland is supposed to join soon too). The strong keep getting stronger. A clash of the titans in the WHL between Winnipeg in the east (Savoie, Geekie, draft eligible Benson) and Seattle would be a treat. Lots can happen between now and then though.
Dach in injured, so no idea when he will be cleared to play again.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 8, 2023 6:23:27 GMT -5
Mailloux rips home his 12th of the season, which also was the GWG for London last night.
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