Elite Prospects new Duo Article

[Canckelhead]

In the footsteps of the Sedins – Dahlén and Pettersson dream big

Jonathan Dahlén and Elias Pettersson. Photo: Ronnie Rönnkvist

Elias Pettersson was awarded the 2018 Elite Prospects Award as the most prominent junior player in the SHL earlier this week. As we handed out the award to the Vancouver Canucks prospect, we also took the opportunity to sit down and talk to him and fellow Canucks’ forward Jonathan Dahlén. Here’s a translation of the interview, done by Ronnie Rönnkvist in Sundsvall, Sweden, originally published in Swedish on our sister site hockeysverige.se.

Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlén.
Here are the two most talked about Swedes in Vancouver at the moment. Heck, maybe even the two most talked about players for that matter. Ever since Daniel and Henrik Sedin let it be known that their distinguished careers were over, a lot of the future hope of the Vancouver Canucks have been placed on this duo, only 19 and 20 years of age. 

It would obviously be unfair to put pressure on these youngsters to perform at the same level as two future hall of famers, but you’ve got to admit that their potential is exciting. Especially after a season where both players took great leaps in their development.

The two first got to play together during the 2014/15 season after Dahlén had moved to Timrå from HV71. And there was instant chemistry between them on Timrå’s junior teams.
“The first time we were put together was after Christmas 2014. He was promoted to our team and put up insane numbers. We played together and did really well”, Dahlén remembers.

Pettersson had four goals and 13 points in six games and complemented Dahlén really nicely on the team’s top line.
“We both make fast decisions and want to play in the offensive end of the ice. We think the game in a similar way… Most times, at least”, Pettersson says with a wry smile.

Dahlén:
“I like to find openings and go there and it’s a bit more fun to play that way when you have someone who can put the puck on your tape.”

Pettersson:
“Yeah, I guess you can say that we have to different styles, but think the same way.”

Photo: Ronnie Rönnkvist

NOT PERCEIVED AS A DUO ANYMORE

This season they proved that they can play good hockey away from one another as well. Elias Pettersson lit up the SHL during his first (and only) season with Växjö, winning the scoring title in both the regular season and the playoffs. Dahlén bounced back after a bout with mono during Vancouver Canucks’ rookie camp and led Timrå to a promotion to the SHL after five years down in Hockeyallsvenskan, the second-tier league in Sweden .
“I think it was good for the both of us to get away from that a bit”, Dahlén says about constantly being referred to as a duo. “Elias did a really good job in Växjö and when I came back to Timrå, I proved I could play without him as well. It was good for us to get that confirmation. Not only to show people what we can do by ourselves, but also to prove it to ourselves.”

The comparisons to the Sedins is something that they’ve had to listen to ever since Pettersson was drafted by the Canucks last summer. At this point, they can joke about it to although it’s an obvious honor.
“They say that we are ‘the new Sedins’. No pressure…”, Pettersson says while bursting into laughter. “I don’t know if we can create that kind of chemistry right now, but if we do, I’ll take that any day of the week.”

Dahlén:
“We obviously play well together because our styles complement each other. If we get to play together as long as the Sedins did, it would be great.”

“SOMETHING I COULDN’T REALLY IMAGINE”

Pettersson’s season was as close to perfect as you could imagine. He won the Swedish championship title with Växjö while capturing gold with Team Sweden at the World Championships in Denmark. Dahlén, on his part, was the big star while Timrå qualified for the SHL.
“I look at my season like… Not unreal, but something that I couldn’t really imagine when I started to work out with Växjö last summer”, Pettersson says. “That Timrå got promoted was also huge for me. I couldn’t have wished for anything more from that season.”

 

Dahlén:
“For a long time, my dream had been to get Timrå back into the SHL. It was pretty sick and unreal when it happened. I didn’t really anticipate that, even though we finished first overall in the regular season.”

How much did you follow each other during the season?
Pettersson:
“We knew what was going on. It obviously got a lot easier when Dahlén came back and play over here as I always follow Timrå.”

Dahlén:
“I’m not really that interested in the SHL, but it was fun to watch Elias in Växjö. They almost won every single game and scored a lot of goals.”

Jonathan, what did you feel about Elias’ success this season after making the move from Timrå to Växjö?
“It’s hard to say something that hasn’t already been said. It’s pretty unreal to do what he did. Not a lot of players have been able to do that at his age.”

Are you surprised?
“I knew he would be fine in the SHL, but it’s not like I would have guessed that he would have 56 points, win the championship title and be dominant in the playoffs. And that he would become a world champions. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have guessed that (laughter)”.

“Neither did I”, Pettersson chimes in with a big smile on his face.

Photo: Ronnie Rönnkvist

NOT AFRAID OF THE AHL

After their success in Sweden it’s time for both to leave their home soil to make a mark in Vancouver.
“We both want to play in the NHL as soon as possible and we have obviously talked a bit about playing together in Vancouver”, Pettersson says. “We don’t work out together during the summers, but we try to push each other. We’re both motivated by the possibility of cracking the line-up as soon as possible.”

Dahlén went to North America after his season in Sweden ended and played a few games with Canucks’ farm team Utica Comets in the American league.
“It was good for me to do that and get a feel of what it’s like. Just to feel that you’re able to play there. I’ve only played in Hockeyallsvenskan before, so it was good to get that confirmed, that I can compete there”, he says. “I don’t feel like it’s impossible to go directly from Hockeyallsvenskan to play in Vancouver. I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen.”

And if you have to go to the AHL in the beginning?
“I haven’t even thought about that, I’ve only thought about the NHL”, Pettersson says. “Sure, it could happen that I don’t get to play in the NHL right from the start. If I don’t, life will still go on. There are players that weren’t even drafted that make it to the hall of fame. A career is long.”

Dahlén:
“I can’t count on playing for Vancouver (from the start). We’ll see what happens, but I’ll do everything I can in camp to get a crack at the NHL. If I get sent down, I’ll keep the same attitude down there, just work hard and try to get a call up as soon as possible.”

Do you hope to get a chance to play on the same line with the Canucks?
“Absolutely!”
The question is answered really fast by both of them.
Pettersson:
“I would love to do that!”
Dahlén:
“To go from playing alongside each other on Timrå’s U18 team to playing together in Vancouver would be a pretty awesome journey.”
Pettersson:
“Yeah, to first play with each other in Timrå and then have Jonathan be traded and then me be drafted by Vancouver so we would end up in the same NHL organization is pretty cool. Especially as we both have had the dream of playing in the NHL.”
Dahlén:
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I was traded from Ottawa to Vancouver in February and that they drafted Elias later that year. I don’t know, but it can’t be that big of a coincidence.”

Have you talked to Daniel and Henrik Sedin and received any advice that you can bring to Canada?
“You met them more than I have since you were there training last summer”, Pettersson says while looking at Dahlén. “I’ve only said hi, but I think I’ll get a chance to talk to them again once I get over there since they’ll be staying in Vancouver.”

Dahlén:
“I even met them before I got drafted. They actually asked me about Elias, about “that center from Timrå”. That was way before he was drafted. They are really the most humble people you can imagine and their careers were so sick. You really just sit there with big ears trying to absorb everything that they say.”

Pettersson:
“It’s really good that there are several Swedes over there on that team. It’s nice to be able to talk Swedish every now and then. We’ll see how close they (the Sedins) will be to the organization. Vancouver will probably want them around to help the younger players, but at the same team they might need a break from hockey. You never know.”

With files and photos from Ronnie Rönnkvist.

@UffeBodin

Uffe Bodinuffe.bodin@hockeysverige.se

[Mathew Barzal]

Don't mean to be a downer but Dahlen isn't nearly as much a sure thing as Elias. It's kind of unfair to lump them together as a duo in the case that he doesn't pan out while Pettersson does. 

 

This is an awesome friendship to have blossoming regardless though. 

[logic]

36 minutes ago, Mathew Barzal said:

Don't mean to be a downer but Dahlen isn't nearly as much a sure thing as Elias. It's kind of unfair to lump them together as a duo in the case that he doesn't pan out while Pettersson does. 

 

This is an awesome friendship to have blossoming regardless though. 

Agreed a little much to compare Dahlen and EP, I'll will be ecstatic if Dahlen is a perennial 40-50 point guy definitely JBs best trade.

[canuckledraggin]

1 hour ago, Mathew Barzal said:

Don't mean to be a downer but Dahlen isn't nearly as much a sure thing as Elias. It's kind of unfair to lump them together as a duo in the case that he doesn't pan out while Pettersson does. 

 

This is an awesome friendship to have blossoming regardless though. 

Their paths will be different, but to think that Dahlen won't pan out is a bridge too far for me. If he doesn't get a call up this year, he'll be pushing for a spot in Vancouver next season. I'd take it to the bank.

[Rounoush]

^ Agreed. Kid is the real deal.

[TGT68]

I think EP has the most talent of the next wave but think JD has the most heart.  And when we already have BH and BB that says a lot.  

[hammertime]

I'm not underestimating Dahlen. The Kid practically single-handedly dragged a very mediocre Allsvenskan team into the SHL. His play reminds me of a less pesty Burrows with more scoring upside. Kid hounds the puck on the forecheck. 

[Gaudette Celly]

27 minutes ago, hammertime said:

I'm not underestimating Dahlen. The Kid practically single-handedly dragged a very mediocre Allsvenskan team into the SHL. His play reminds me of a less pesty Burrows with more scoring upside. Kid hounds the puck on the forecheck. 

Indeed, simply look at the numbers:

 

 

He scored 57% more points than the next-closest player on his team, while playing 8 less games.  He put up a full 1PPG, and only one other player with over 30GP even put up more than 0.5PPG.  Far and away the best player on a team that won its way into the top league, and led it at only 20 years old.  Outscored Pettersson when playing with him the previous season when they were 19 and 17. 

 

"...in the case that he doesn't pan out..." -- zero evidence of that happening.  It's just a matter of when he makes it -- out of camp, sometime this year, TDL, or next season.

[70seven]

33 minutes ago, hammertime said:

I'm not underestimating Dahlen. The Kid practically single-handedly dragged a very mediocre Allsvenskan team into the SHL. His play reminds me of a less pesty Burrows with more scoring upside. Kid hounds the puck on the forecheck. 

Strange comparison for me there.  But I see what you’re getting at. 

 

The two are completely different players imo.  They’re both smart and hustle, and both have a clutch element to their game. But...

 

Dahlen is an average skater, which is something that could improve, but his hallmark is his smarts, his hands, and his ability to finish, and specifically effective offensively below the circles and around the net.  Burrows was smart, and figured out how to play with the twins, otherwise he was a bottom 6 pest with very limited offensive upside. 

 

When I think comparison for Dahlen, I think Gus Nyquist, Mike Cammalleri, Radim Vrbata...  Skilled Top 6 - 20-35 goal, 40-60 point winger.  Great piece, but not a core element. 

 

 

[King Heffy]

11 minutes ago, 70seven said:

Strange comparison for me there.  But I see what you’re getting at. 

 

The two are completely different players imo.  They’re both smart and hustle, and both have a clutch element to their game. But...

 

Dahlen is an average skater, which is something that could improve, but his hallmark is his smarts, his hands, and his ability to finish, and specifically effective offensively below the circles and around the net.  Burrows was smart, and figured out how to play with the twins, otherwise he was a bottom 6 pest with very limited offensive upside. 

 

When I think comparison for Dahlen, I think Gus Nyquist, Mike Cammalleri, Radim Vrbata...  Skilled Top 6 - 20-35 goal, 40-60 point winger.  Great piece, but not a core element. 

 

 

Unfair to compare him to Vrbata.  Dahlen knows how to backcheck and isn't a lazy floater.  His 2-way game is seriously underrated due to his offensive output.  The guy competes and is a 200 foot player.

[DeNiro]

14 minutes ago, 70seven said:

When I think comparison for Dahlen, I think Gus Nyquist, Mike Cammalleri, Radim Vrbata...  Skilled Top 6 - 20-35 goal, 40-60 point winger.  Great piece, but not a core element. 

Patric Hornqvist is the comparable for me.

 

Both of them get it done through working hard and hounding the puck. Neither of them are the best skaters or possess great shots, but they have a way of getting the puck to the net, and cleaning up rebounds.

[aGENT]

18 minutes ago, 70seven said:

Dahlen is an average skater, which is something that could improve.

He's not overly fast and yes, he could certainly stand to improve his outright speed. That said, his edge work, shiftiness and balance are FAR from 'average'.

 

IMO, he's the guy who could make Baer expendable, probably not this fall, but by the TDL....

 

There's no question in my mind that he makes it. Though he's probably a notch below Elite-as Pettersson  

[Alflives]

11 minutes ago, King Heffy said:

Unfair to compare him to Vrbata.  Dahlen knows how to backcheck and isn't a lazy floater.  His 2-way game is seriously underrated due to his offensive output.  The guy competes and is a 200 foot player.

In the O Zone, Dahlen is really good below the dots.  

[hammertime]

On ‎2018‎-‎07‎-‎22 at 6:50 PM, 70seven said:

Strange comparison for me there.  But I see what you’re getting at. 

 

The two are completely different players imo.  They’re both smart and hustle, and both have a clutch element to their game. But...

 

Dahlen is an average skater, which is something that could improve, but his hallmark is his smarts, his hands, and his ability to finish, and specifically effective offensively below the circles and around the net.  Burrows was smart, and figured out how to play with the twins, otherwise he was a bottom 6 pest with very limited offensive upside. 

 

When I think comparison for Dahlen, I think Gus Nyquist, Mike Cammalleri, Radim Vrbata...  Skilled Top 6 - 20-35 goal, 40-60 point winger.  Great piece, but not a core element. 

 

 

3

I used the Burr comparison because he keeps teams pinned in their own zone on their heels and thrives in the scramble. He's a clutch scorer but probably won't be a primary scorer in the NHL. He backchecks hard and gets a ton of take aways. Whether or not it pans out in the NHL is a mystery. 

[rizzuto&hatoum]

Also, Dahlen's dad was a solid, solid NHL player. I can see genes and hockey IQ playing a part in his future success.

[JeremyCuddles]

Hate to somewhat steal the spotlight from our two budding potential stars but the Sedins are staying in Vancouver  Their potential return to us seems pretty likely. Come back to me my angels. The Canucks organization is gonna need your expertise. 

 

Dahlen and Pettersson combo would be unreal. Them and the Bo and Brock duo is a top 6 to be really excited about.

[CanucksJay]

I forgot which scout / hockey insider said it but something along the lines of don't be surprised if Dahlen makes it out of camp this year... 

I think one way or another, he'll get some games in the NHL and have no doubt he'll do just fine in Utica to deserve the promotion. 

[Phat Fingers]

13 hours ago, Mathew Barzal said:

Don't mean to be a downer but Dahlen isn't nearly as much a sure thing as Elias. It's kind of unfair to lump them together as a duo in the case that he doesn't pan out while Pettersson does. 

 

This is an awesome friendship to have blossoming regardless though. 

Downer dude...  you must be a hit at funerals lol.  

[DrJockitch]

Pettersson may be the best prospect we have ever had.

It is not a downer to say that Dahlen isn't as much of a sure thing as the best prospect we have ever had.

Dahlen is in the mix with a really nice group of winger prospects, we should be fine if two of the current crop turn into decent NHLers.

[Tre Mac]

17 hours ago, Canckelhead said:

“I even met them before I got drafted. They actually asked me about Elias, about “that center from Timrå”. That was way before he was drafted.

I found this tidbit the most interesting, it's a small world sometimes.