This is Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson. He might be the most NHL ready Oilers prospect, and yes I'm including Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall/Tyler Seguin.I'm watching the WHC Bronze Medal Game today and MPS has the only goal after one period. It was a beauty from the off-wing, the kid took a pass with those soft hands and found twine on a nice goal against Germany.
Steve Tambellini is over in Germany to meet with MPS and his representatives. Reading the tea leaves, we can expect a contract signed and a "discussion" about whether or not he is ready to play in the NHL.
I think the Oilers want to be careful not to rush anyone. Their handling of Jordan Eberle this spring tells us that much, and I do think there's a chance they would send Tyler Seguin back to junior should the club select him at this summer's amateur draft.
I think Paarjavi--based on his experience in a pro league and his progress since he was drafted--should be considered as a strong option for the roster this fall. If he comes to camp and loses a fair race at LW against the Oilers portside vaunt (all of Penner, Jacques, Moreau, Cogliano currently) then so be it.
But I don't think he will. MPS is gyllene already.
According to an interview in today's Helsingin Sanomat (a Finnish newspaper), he has dropped Svensson from his name "because Pääjärvi is a bit less common name". So maybe we should start calling him Magnus Pääjärvi.
ReplyDeleteI think the game is actually the bronze metal Game Lowetide. But good to hear he is still producing
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Oilers going into next year, its hard not to get excited. The Oilers mgmt still needs to address some holes. 2nd line center, and a middle pairing Dman, preferably both veteran players. If they can bring in some good pros and Khabibulin can stay healthy, this team might have a chance at the playoffs next year.
ReplyDeleteMPS is a beauty, he'll be our version of Jordan Staal as part of the rebuild.
So... he was MSP, then he turned to MPS, and now he's MP?
ReplyDeleteAllright i guess.
Indeed, Mr. Smitty is correct, and I'm sure you knew it anyways and it was a typo more than a lack of knowledge. But it is in fact the Bronze medal game.
ReplyDeleteDid anybody see the semi-final game? How did MPS and Omark do?
ReplyDeleteJagr was all over the highlight reel and all I saw of MPS was one clip trying to fight off Jagr behind the net and clear the puck. Held his own from what I saw (which was admittedly only 3 seconds).
It also appears that he is leading team Sweden in scoring at the tournament. 4G 4A - 8p. Probably have to update that now.
ReplyDeleteI meant to watch the game but completely zoned out reading these stories from some guy named davesecretary:
ReplyDeleteTime for Some Stories - Dave Secretary
It looks like I'm a few years late to the party on these, but they are pure gold.
I missed the semi-final, sadly; I slept in and missed it. No one I know caught it, actually.
ReplyDeleteGermans somewhat lucky to be in this game; between the refs letting everything go, some sweet turn-overs by the Swedes (especially their defense) and some timing issues on the Swedish one-timers...
Still beats the hell out of the Habs-Flyers games. I've yet to last more than ten minutes in a game for that series.
I'd be very interested in the math on MPS' shifts this tournament, though. By pure, likely wrong, observation it seems that ever since Weinhandl (sp?) went down his ice time has decreased, along with the entire first.
Unless MSP has a spot on the top 2 lines leave him over there to develop...far to often the oilers give their prospects and 3rd or 4th line spot playing with plumbers.It just ruins the kids confidence
ReplyDeleteScott: MPS wasn't as effective in that game but did see the ice quite a bit to my eye (I didn't check the stats). MPS was on the ice for a GF but wasn't a factor (he was in the Steve Shutt position when the puck went in).
ReplyDeleteOmark had a wonderful shootout goal against the Czechs but it wasn't enough.
MPS is averaging 14:13 a game and played 15:16 in the semi-final so his TOI increased for that game.
ReplyDeleteHe's played 11:07 through 2 periods in this game.
So maybe we should start calling him Magnus Pääjärvi.
ReplyDeleteSvensson is Smith, so I can see why he dropped it.
He goes by Pääjärvi on his website.
Informally, just go with Pajjan. He likes that nickname.
I'm not sure how Svensson loses a battle with either Moreau or Jacques (Jacques shouldn't even be there).
ReplyDeleteFTR, I use Svensson because I can spell it consistently.
I'm also going to prep myself for the inevitable avalanche of "top two lines or else" comments, which neglect so much hockey logic, and plain make no sense.
Best players available. Period. He'll likely be one of them.
Thanks, LT. So I was wrong; guess I've just mentally blocked out his nothing shifts.
ReplyDeleteEven with his flaws I've become a huge fan of his, as he can be just plain fun to watch -- a lot like Hemsky.
If he comes to camp and loses a fair race at LW against the Oilers portside vaunt (all of Penner, Jacques, Moreau, Cogliano currently) then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI mean that's the thing isn't it? He's definitely the second-best left wing in the organization, but considering the team has only had one bonafide left wing since the great port side purge of '08, that's damning with faint praise.
Of course he would medal in that race at camp - he's racing a cripple, a guy that ran out of game three years ago and a guy that doesn't even want to be in that race. But is adding him to the roster right now the best thing? That probably depends a whole bunch on what The Assessor decides to do with the rest of the roster.
If he's going to add a bonafide center, two pluggers on defense and find a damned penalty killer, then yes, adding Paajarvi to the roster makes sense. If the Oilers head into camp with the same holes they've had since...before Taylor Hall's voice lowered, then leave him in Sundsvall for next year with Lander.
Coach: Can't say I agree. There seems to be this massive wave of logic out there (not implying this is your reasoning) that Sam Gagner is ruined and has not taken any steps forward because he was rushed to the show (which he certainly was). Sam Gagner is a better player now than he was when he arrived, and he's on track to have a fine career as a guy who can play against good opponents.
ReplyDeleteAs well, I think MPS is in a completely different situation and that he has proven himself worthy of SEL regular status. The organization has to evaluate whether or not he can compete for a big league job (I think he can) and then imo let him come to camp and try to make the team.
I know the Oilers will make changes over the summer, but the math suggests MPS would most certainly be one of the 4 best options for LW next season.
Can he learn at the NHL level age 19? Well he learned at the SEL level at age 17 so it would seem possible.
There are a lot of shifts where he does nothing but skate miles.
ReplyDeleteBut he leads the WHC in +/-, had a great +/- in Sweden and has done nothing at this tournament or the U20 to suggest he doesn't know where to be on defense.
And if the price we have to pay for a brilliant, blazing 6'2 hockey player are some no-event shifts, then sign me up (or him, as it were).
Besides, you pretty much have to coach that out of him and getting yelled at by old man Quinn will probably do more for it than playing another season in Sweden.
Thanks for the recap LT. For those of us born in the 80s, where is the Steve Shutt position?
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see his +/- so high, when he does have a propensity for turnovers by my eye. That said, he moves the puck N-S in a hurry and always seems to cause some chaos for the defenders.
Lots of stuff in Jim Matheson's Hockey World today including the comment Gagner was rushed to the show, more on Hall/Seguin, Hartikainen, and Kabanov says he'll never play in the K after his experiences this spring.
ReplyDeleteI've been really impressed with MPS' physicality and compete along the boards this WHC. It's not NHL playoff intense along the boards there, but he's not playing like a Euro floater either.
ReplyDeleteLT: No doubt Gagner is a better player and has progressed even though the boxcars are steady. Kind of like Lafontaine :)
ReplyDeleteBut why burn a year on Paajarvi's contract?
Coach: Cause he might actually help the team win?
ReplyDeleteAs for NHL news, Volchenkov is selling his house and reports say Washington is ready to offer 5M$.
Sweet jesus are GM's nuts.
Scott: Steve Shutt (one of my all time favorite players) had a stunning ability to find an open spot near the net and the puck would magically drop there often. People used to say he scored "garbage" goals but I always found it awesome that he could get to so many pucks in a three foot zone where defensemen were trying to kill him.
ReplyDeletecoach: That's the strongest argument for signing him this spring and then having him play another year in the SEL. I don't think it will make a huge difference (burning off one season isn't a huge deal and if they're crappy when he reaches UFA status he's gone no matter the year) but it is an argument.
LT, wouldn't you rather have him in the A so he can get used to the smaller ice and have a cuppa in the show?
ReplyDeleteI think his development could be helped by having him play in a different league.
I'm always terrified of rushing players, but I think Paajarvi is ready to step in. That being said, we can't load up on youngsters and expect any success - Hall/Seguin, Eberle, and Paajarvi are all 18-20, and we forget that Gagner is still just 21. I'm a huge proponent of Eberle following Claude Giroux's development path - going down for half a season in the AHL, and then coming up by the all-star break, or trade deadline at the latest.
ReplyDeleteOn the draft, though I'm of the mind that you have to take the best player available, I sometimes wonder whether we should take Seguin (assuming he and Hall are pretty close) because he plays centre. That would give us such a nice potential top-6:
Penner-Gagner-Hemsky
Paajarvi-Seguin-Eberle
If Hall is clearly the better player, then I'm not suggesting we take the lesser player, but it sure looks nice on paper, if Stu McG thinks Seguin will be a poor man's Joe Sakic/Steve Yzerman. Of course, when Penner packs up and leaves in 2 years, it wouldn't hurt to have Hall, but we definitely need another centre at some point.
Hunter 1909 axed: "Is it me or are the 7th and 8th place Flyers Habs playing the worst semifinals hockey I've ever seen?"
ReplyDeleteThe 7th and 8th place Flyers Habs playing the worst semifinals hockey I've ever seen. Except the goallies.
LT, wouldn't you rather have him in the A so he can get used to the smaller ice and have a cuppa in the show?
ReplyDeleteI think his development could be helped by having him play in a different league.
Its my understanding that if MPS plays in the AHL the clock starts ticking on his Entry Level Contract. If he plays in the SEL it doesn't.
If you want to sign Hemsky long term and he's open to the idea, then I think you keep MPS here as in the long run he's probably 83's LW of the future (unless they draft Hall)
You absolutely have to know what you are doing with Hemsky by this time next year so either MPS or Hall (if drafted) should probably be with the club to facilitate that.
If you draft Hall, sending MPS back to the SEL makes a lot of sense.
Being better than other available Oiler forwards does not equal being ready for the NHL.
ReplyDeletePlease don't make this mistake. The Oilers are a horrible team, but rushing someone into a bad situation is not the answer.
Give MPS, Eberle, Omark, Hartkaanen and every other prospect some at bats in the A and make them earn it. If they are tearing it up, then bring them up to the show. Don't hand any one, anything out of camp.
Woodguy:
ReplyDeletePaajarvi's contract won't kick in next season if he were to play the whole year in the AHL, just like Smid's didn't when he played his 19 year old season in the AHL for the Portland Pirates.
Paajarvi would have to play 10 or more NHL games next season for an ELC year to be burned, otherwise he slides one season, when his contract would start, AHL or NHL, for the 2011-12 season.
Matt N: If there's absolutely no shot for anyone to win a spot out of camp, what's the point in even holding it?
ReplyDeleteThey should just start the preseason with a 23 man roster.
Speeds,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification.
If MPS is in OKC, do you think that the Oilers could help themselves from calling him up?
Like Coach said, he's already the 2nd best LW in the organization.
I am of the opinion that he would still be the 2nd best LW in the organization if the Oilers draft Hall.
Woodguy really doesn't like Hall very much, lol.
ReplyDelete:)
Woodguy:
ReplyDeleteTough to say. They did keep Eberle in the AHL to finish the season when they easily could have brought him up for 5 NHL games with no real downside.
I think there's some kind of argument for keeping Paajarvi out of the NHL next season to preserve an ELC year, but I don't think it's much of an argument if you then keep Hall/Seguin in the NHL at 18.
Matt.N: So thecaptain will be reporting to the OKC barons? (So will Jacques and Strudwick i guess)
ReplyDeleteMark-Ryan:
ReplyDeleteTheoretically, there should be 2 or 3 knocking at the door who have already done some time in the A. All of those made the show last year (Stone, Peckham, JFJ, Potulny etc) because of injuries and both teams are lacking in depth and quality.
In the current situation, I would tell each prospect that no matter what happens in camp, you owe me 20 games in the A. If they tear it up, bring them up. The thing is, you can't get back that burned year of entry level contract if a kid hits a wall 20 games into his NHL career.
Matt.N: Idk, sounds like the worst thing to do. Demotivating them, if you hit a home run you're still going to 2nd base.
ReplyDeleteHunter,
ReplyDeleteI guess I come across that way. :)
I just like MPS and Seguin better. I think Hall can be a very good NHLer, but I have reservations.
Speeds,
If an ELC is by definition a 2 way contract, I think a year burns in the AHL.
I think Coachpb commented to that fact lately as well.
I'm going digging in the CBA. Your knowledge of the CBA is pretty deep, which section are you basing your conclusion on?
but he can be sent to A if he hits that wall. I see no reason to exclude MPS from the starting lineup next season if he has a strong training camp
ReplyDeletebut he can be sent to A if he hits that wall. I see no reason to exclude MPS from the starting lineup next season if he has a strong training camp
ReplyDeleteSpeeds is right. The AHL only burns years on your ELC if you're twenty or older. Otherwise it slides.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to the "Why even hold a training camp if everyone doesn't have a fair shot to make the team" silliness, it's an efficiency contest, not a fairness game. The name of the game is to put together a team that can win a Stanley Cup. It makes more sense from both a cap management and a own the player as long as possible standpoint to stick him in the AHL or the SEL. This isn't hard at all.
Coach: Cause he might actually help the team win?
ReplyDeleteGoes back to what The Assessor does with the rest of the team.
Awesome news for video games players:
ReplyDelete''The licensing agreement between EA SPORTS and the CHL allows the following to be included in NHL 11:
• Ability to play with all 60 teams that make up the CHL
• Names and Likenesses of players that are on the rosters of a CHL team
• Mastercard Memorial Cup
• CHL new RBK Edge Jersey design in NHL 11
• WHL, OHL and QMJHL logos and league structures
The CHL integration in NHL 11 will tie to several modes in the game, including Be A Pro, Be A GM, Tournament Mode, Season Mode and Playoff Mode.''
2005 CBA
ReplyDeleteArticle 9.1 d(i):
In the event that an 18 year old or 19 year old Player signs an SPC with a Club but does not play at least ten (10) NHL Games in teh first season under that SPC, the term of his SPC and his number of years in the Entry Level System shall be extended for a period of one (1) year, except that this automatic extension will not apply to a Player who is 19 according to Section 9.2 by virtue of turning 20 between September 16 and December 31 in the year in which he first signs an SPC....
Thank you speeds and Mr. Dellow for clearing that up.
MPS just turned 19 in April, so the 20 year old rule wouldn't apply.
Scott Oake almost made it through the pre-game interview with Bolland without being himself. Then he threw it to the goalies with a very weird comment about shackles and chains, etc.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what this was in reference to? I trust that Oake was making a point and am hopeful it was something horrible Healy did.
Do the Oilers have to offer Lander a contract this week (before June 1) or lose his rights?
ReplyDelete@woodguy Lander was drafted last year, I think he still has a couple years before the Oil lose his rights
ReplyDeleteWG: They still have an extra year.
ReplyDeleteWG:
ReplyDeleteThey have to make a "bona fide" offer to extend his rights for another year, before June 1 2010. That's a formality, I don't know that I've heard of a team not making that offer to a player still seen as a legitimate prospect, but it does have to be done to maintain his rights until June 1, 2011. Edmonton's rights to Lander expire after June 1, 2011, if not signed by then he'd head back into the draft.
I thought the biggest concern with respect to MPS is his adjustment to the smaller rink. As a result it would seem as though the SEL has done all it can for development so wouldn't the next logical step be two move to the AHL and get used to the tight grind?
ReplyDeleteAnd Chicago sweeps San Jose; wow. I was pulling for Chicago but didn't think they'd manage a sweep.
ReplyDeleteYou really have to wonder if you're a Sharks' fan -- they simply can't get to the Cup regardless of what they seem to do.
i hope the Hawks win it all!!
ReplyDeleteYou really have to wonder if you're a Sharks' fan -- they simply can't get to the Cup regardless of what they seem to do.
ReplyDeleteKind of the reality of a 30 team league. Even if everything was evenly distributed, it would mean that your team would only make the Stanley cup finals once every fifteen years or about 4-5 times in a lifetime - winning it 2-3 times (assuming a 30 team league through your lifetime).
Thanks Speeds.
ReplyDeleteWas pretty sure they needed to offer a spc by June 1....same for MPS, guess they both get one this week.
So, what's the over/under on the number of times Hossa gets asked if "the third time's the charm?"
MPS sure seems to have the ability to step-up in big moments - not unlike Eberle. These two seem to always get results. Impressive once again.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing stopping MPS from the NHL MIGHT be the small ice - so it seems clear to me you sign him and bring him over. If he pleasantly surprises at camp (and based on past performances, he likely will) then I don't see holding him back.
Eberle is in the exact same spot. If and when he overachieves at training camp, the 'questions' will be answered.
OK City will be lucky to see 40 games total from these two - and it's not necessarily a mistake. Given their international tournament experience (and repeated successes therein) - these two very likely should be ahead of the curve.
These are very good 'problems' to have.
This is my eigth game watching Taylor Hall on television and I'm not sure I've ever seen him go into his own zone.
ReplyDeleteCoach pb9617 said...
ReplyDeleteThis is my eigth game watching Taylor Hall on television and I'm not sure I've ever seen him go into his own zone.
Really? What Mem Cup you watchin? Hall has the back check of the tournament so far.
Coach: He's been checking.
ReplyDeleteUnless MSP has a spot on the top 2 lines leave him over there to develop...far to often the oilers give their prospects and 3rd or 4th line spot playing with plumbers.It just ruins the kids confidence.
ReplyDeleteSo of the prospects the Oilers have developed in the last decade, who would you say is the biggest success story? I'd say Ales Hemsky. Failing that, maybe Horcoff (not that Horc is better than Hemsky, but he may have improved more over the course of his time in the Oilers system). Guess what line they started their NHL careers on?