I see someone has asked a question regarding Klefbom vs. Brodin debate among Swedish defencemen. I have a clear preference for Klefbom. I frankly think he should be talked about in the same sentence as Larsson, Hamilton, and Murphy - the consensus top three defencemen on the board. I think Klefbom's upside is very big - he could end up being a real home run out of this draft.
-Kyle Woodlief, during USA Today chat draft week.
WHOOP WHOOP. I hope he turns out awesome. From what I've read, I truly believe he could come out as the best defenseman of this draft class.
ReplyDeleteCould this be our Keith/Seabrook?
ReplyDeleteI just remember seeing the stupid grin on MBS's face when they picked this kid up. Has MBS done it again?
I went through the SEL games to count his TOI and found that he was listed in the lineup 23 times but there were only 16 games where there was a TOI total.
ReplyDeleteI counted 193 minutes, which is about 12 minutes a game for the 16 games he's listed as playing.
He played as much as 18:57 and as little as 2:49. I think there were three examples of what we might call a regular shift.
His numbers in lesser leagues offensively are much better. I'll be very interested to see how much he plays this winter.
Yeah, and he's got one of the best sounding names in the history of the game to boot.
ReplyDeleteFrom Elite Prospects, this line looks interesting:
Sweden U18 (all) International-Jr gp 17 G2 A12 P14 PIM 8
More of a Whitney type player in terms of offense?
Klefbom was a good pick to take at that spot, he has first pairing potential. If McNeill was still on the board, I wonder if they would have taken him?
ReplyDeleteRoss McLean (ISS) RAVED about him in the pre-draft Pipeline Show, said he could see him going as high as #7.
ReplyDeleteHe said after the first round that the Oilers could trade every pick rounds 2-7 and still be the winner of the draft.
Lots of positive press on this kid.
Adam: "I just remember seeing the stupid grin on MBS's face when they picked this kid up."
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Klefbom ("Klefbomber"? "The Swedish Baron"? "Kleft Palate"?) until 2 weeks before the draft, but if MBS is happy, then I'M happy.
Does anyone know how good Redline is at predicting/assessing defensmen? Considering the glowing reviews of both Klefbom and Musil it's hard not to sit here and be giddy about another strong MBS draft, but then again, every defensmen prospect on draft day is the next Lidstrom or Stevens etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about Klefbom as well, but I think we need to pace ourselves before we start to proclaim that "Stu hath done it again!". Klefbom looks like he has loads of potential, and the upcoming season will go a long way in illustrating if he can get on track to realize all of it. I'm hoping for some good offensive numbers out of Oscar.
ReplyDeleteDeath by Misadventure:
ReplyDeleteInteresting question, here goes:
2004 top D
2005 top D
2006 top D
2007 top D
2008 top D
So he's pretty much dead-on every year. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm still amazed Klefbom was still available where we got him. Reminds me of the Pajaarvi pick. Can't wait to see this kid in action.
^Stu's magnificence will be proven either way definitively in a few years.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am not ready to crown any of these D picks "the next Chara" or "the next Seabrook" or "the equivalent to Larsson" or even "the next Musil" (!). Hoping for the best, of course, but expecting a crapshoot!
Thanks for that, speeds. RLR's record is as mixed as I remember.
ReplyDeleteRibs: What? No he's not.
ReplyDeleteIt's basically a crapshoot.
He was right two years about the N1 D-men, and one of them was the N1 draft pick.
RLR's results:
ReplyDelete2004
Prediction/Result
Streit (?) (1)
Meszjaros (2) (2)
Edler (?) (3)
Green (4) (4)
Goligoski (?) (5)
Schultz (8) (6)
Campoli (?) (7)
Sekera (?) (8)
Barker (1) (9)
Emelin (?) (10)
Players predicted: 4/10.
Complete Busts: 5/10 (Smid is saved)
Still somewhat accurate on the players who went trough.
2005
ReplyDeletePrediction/Result
Yandle (?) (1)
Letang (?) (2)
Johnson (3) (1)
Staal (8) (4)
Vlasic (?) (5)
Franson (?) (6)
Rusell (?) (7)
Niskanen (9) (8)
Butler (?) (9)
Stralman (?) (10)
Players predicted 3/10
Complete Busts: 5/10
That year ain't much stellar either.
Others are too soon to judge.
ISS put a lot of weight on the U18 Tournament. I watched that one pretty closely... As you all know I am a big fan of Brodin. He anticipates the play so well, at his age, and is such a pure skater that I think he will be elite defensively at least...That said, I said to a buddy after the U18s that Klefbom reminded me of Doughty: he executed a couple of spinoramas while carrying the puck through the neutral zone to break the trap against the best the world had to offer and it was no problemo. He likes to hit, is a big man, skates with the puck head up and sees the pass, has every tool... the only knock on him was hockey sense, he gambles. Of course he does. He was also captain of the team and sheesh you see those Combine interviews and you think what a kid. He'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding from our intrepid journalists was that Management wanted to trade up for Klefbom, but MBS assured them they would get their man. We know from Oil Change D depth was a priority. I think they wanted Klefbom over McNeill. And I'm happy for the pick... he certainly has higher upside.
Thanks LT, for adding those TOI numbers, I knew Klefbom was shy and we had to fill in some offense for him. I think though that Brodin got more minutes and that says somethin.
There seems to be a draft sweet spot when it comes to Swedish defencemen.
ReplyDeleteKarlsson was the seventh D taken in 2008 - 15th overall (behind Teubert). He is one of 2 D in his class to have made the all star game already.
Rundblad was the eighth D taken in 2009 - 17th overall. He is currently HF 5th overall prospect and 2nd best D.
Erixon was the tenth D taken that year and he looks at this stage to be another a top 4 NHL D very soon.
All of these guys spent at least part of their draft season playing against men in the SEL and did not put up great counting numbers. I suspect that scouts drop these guys behind guys who put up big numbers in the CHL, leaving great prospects available in the middle of the first round.
Klefbom is a great pick for the Oilers. As a Swede, Oil-fan (and a Färjestads BK-fan) I wrote down some of my thoughts on the Swedish Oil - http://dlvr.it/YPy2b
ReplyDeleteWouldn't compare him to Lidström, but I bet you he's gonna be a fan favorite in Edmonton (and possibly Oklahoma).
The upside stretch comparable (which is almost never realized) for Klefbom from the various descriptions to me seems to be a Swedish Larry Robinson.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy with Larry-Robinson-Lite.
First off, Oscar Klefbom will be as good (if not better) than Adam Larsson. I watched him play and he has the potential to be something truly great. It's going to take 3-5 years to hit full stride, but when he does, LOOK OUT!
ReplyDeleteOscar has the total package. He has a hard shot, is a very good skater, punishing body-checker, great gap control, exudes leadership and has enormous potential defensively AND offensively. PLUS, his team-mates have said that he is a great guy in the dressing room! What else could you ask for from a #19 pick?
All I need to say is, how do you like the Dustin Penner deal now? I think it was an excellent trade. I am also a HUGE Colten Teubert fan! I think he will be Jason Smith part 2, but a little better.
Steve Tambellini (and Stu MacGregor) know what they are doing. They are building the team the right way.
First off, Oscar Klefbom will be as good (if not better) than Adam Larsson.
ReplyDeleteCAN HE SKATE?
Thanks for that speeds. So in conclusion it's a total crapshoot. I haven't even heard of half those names on the lists and I would consider myself a fairly knowledgeable hockey fan.
ReplyDeleteOdds are only one of Klefbom or Musil will actually develop into the player their scouting report indicates.
Lastly, that 2008 list looks ridiculous. Here hoping 2012 is just as strong with the oilers in the mix for one of those top end talents.
@ dohfOs,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link! Good take on Klefbom (didn't know the "f" was silent...), and it's good to read a Swede's take on all the new Oiler Swedes.
The question has come up "Can he skate?" My response to that "YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BABY!"
ReplyDeleteRemember my famous quote "If you can't skate, I don't want you on my team!"
Stu isn't stupid. He and Tambellini don't waste first round picks on players that can't skate. If you do, then you need a lesson in scouting.
Cheers.
fpb - Sorry, I don't think I follow your listings there.
ReplyDeleteIf it matters, I'm not going to knock the guy for not having guys like Goligoski that were picked 61st or Yandle at 105th overall on his list. No one did.
Ribs: Well then, that's the whole point. If no one's accurate it pretty much means nothing when we talk about defensemen.
ReplyDelete