SamJamIam

That's what Hockey Canada thinks. I don't know that anyone else agrees with them. And their recent track record seems to prove that out.

Absolutely and agree on OJ as well. He also has that same high hockey IQ that makes players transition better than their points totals suggest.

I think people are forgetting that Pettersson is used to playing against men in the SHL but is also used to playing with men. He is used to guys that may not always be the most talented but are well practiced at their roles. In the defensize zone he expects his teammates to win their board battles, make smart passes and allow him to escape the zone. It just so happens Brannstrom and Nylander aren't too good at that. They easily get hemmed in which leaves Pettersson waiting high in the zone and looking like a floater. Same in the offensive zone. Even though he was easily the best offensive player on the ice, he was making a lot of plays to set up other players who would not use the opportunities he was creating. He must have placed perfect passes to Nylander two dozen times expecting a one timer and not once did Nylander capitalize on the goalie's movement. It's infuriating to watch but must be even more so for Elias since he's used to having a player on the opposite wind that is willing to shoot on the PP. His points totals in this tournament would be unreal if he had a player like Dahlen to work with.

FWIW I think Suzuki is naturally very skilled but many smaller guys are. Hopefully he's large enough but he also plays small which won't help him translate his game. Glass is a solid all-round player and was a safe pick. However Lind plays a hard nosed game and has some real skill which makes him the most tantalizing prospect in my mind.

In general playstyle? I guess, kind of. Both are cerebral playmakers who can also shoot the puck. The fact they can shoot means defenders give them a bit of extra room to work because they can't overplay the shot or the pass. However Pettersson is much more dynamic than Backstrom because of his hands. He is likely to match Backstrom's U20 SHL season totals in under 30 games (Backstrom played 45). Pettersson isn't the fastest guy (or the slowest) but because he can walk defenders and retrieve pucks quickly, he has no issues going to the front of the net like a larger guy would. He's also got some next level head fake skills because he rarely has to look at the puck which can really back off defenders on the rush. Expect to see him deceptively cutting to centre ice more like Boeser does. I also would not be surprised if he becomes a two way force. He's already defensively responsible but those hands and subtle stick work mean he should steal a lot of pucks and be able to hold his own in the defensive zone (though to be seen how his board work is).

Benning is all over the place when saying people's names. He said Petterson's last name correctly only moments before drafting him (watch the draft video), then mispronounces it when he drafts him. He's said Jonah's name both ways as well.

For anyone to get as excited about Glass in the WHL as people are getting about Elias, he would need to be scoring at a rate similar to Heponiemi which just ain't happening. But point taken, I don't think many would have taken that bet on draft day.

Trying to make up for that secondary assist, I see...

Pretty sure they reads runes and chicken bones to get their final rosters...

Not surprised. They definitely had chemistry in prospects training camp this year. Not to mention their skillsets are naturally complimentary.

FTFY.

Yup. April 5 is when the Frozen Four tournament starts and April 7th is when it ends. Northeastern is currently in the top 4 in goal differential in the NCAA along with St. Cloud, Clarkson and Notre Dam. The difference is each of those other teams has a higher win percentage beating up on weaker conferences while Northeastern dukes it out with BC and BU regularly. I'd be pretty surprised if Northeastern doesn't end up playing in the FF.

Beat me to it. Unless Dahlin is always backing up Pettersson's line, Liljegren is going to grab a few points just from being on the ice with Elias.

Lies. Not enough hype. #SwedishGretzky

Not to mention they were already leading 7-3. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Oh my word it just continues to explode. Murray looked seriously rattled. Couldn't happen to a better dude.

Absolutely. Gradin was an amazing player but has gone so far beyond that once his playing career ended. Retiring his number would only barely start to recognize how much he's done for the Canucks.

Adorable. Only thing is, I'm not samjam99. The name's a joke. Has been for about four years.

Funny lack of perspective from Willie D's mom.

And.....there it is

I think you missed what was obvious to everyone else 20 pages ago: Forsberg was billed as 6'0", 205 lbs when he retired. Guys typically gain a good bit of size after their draft year, particularly if they have a late height gain as both Elias and Peter did at 18.

Eh. Not quite. In order of inches EP has over them (now, not draft year-to-draft year): 5, 2, 6, 6 He was heavier than each of them was in their draft years too.

I can't listen to Pratt's rants. I feel brain cells dying every second I listen to that moron flap his gums.

Why would he go to the Finnish league?

Good god. Get Dahlen up there, stat!