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Everything William Nylander Thread

Peter Forsberg on Nylander:

Sweden continues to produce elite level players, in your mind, who is the next Swedish player that will turn some heads? I'm not talking about Oliver Ekman-Larssons but rather, developing prospects still in Sweden.

'We have a kid called William Nylander, he's got a lot of skill. If he gains a few pounds and becomes a little bit faster I think he's going to be really good. He has amazing hands and skill and if he keeps developing like he has... he's taken some huge leaps from the beginning of the year... I think he's going to be just fine.'
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hockeylover said:
Forsberg is assistant GM of Modo. Feel like if the Leafs did decide to have him play in Sweden next year, he'd be in good hands.
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I really hope he ends up in the NHL or the Marlies...might actually go to a Marlies game to see him if he doesn't make the Leafs.
 
I can't even remember the last time a highly drafted Swedish player played in the AHL in their post-draft year. I wonder if it just works out that way because they all have contracts when they're drafted and Nylander doesn't...?
 
A little on Nylander and some on Loov, also from Modo.

If there is anyone with first-hand insight into top Maple Leafs draft pick William Nylander, it’s his Modo teammate and fellow Toronto prospect Viktor Loov.

“Nylander is good, I would say he is one of the most skilled players to ever come from Sweden,” Loov, a defenceman, said of Nylander. “He is a good skater, good with the stick, good offensively.”

The two are among 29 players in Toronto this week for the team’s prospects camp, where they learn nutrition, receive media training and get on the ice for drills.

When cameras are allowed in on Wednesday, Nylander is sure to draw a lot of attention. But it’s Loov (pronounced Love) who is getting a lot of the buzz.

“Loov is very talented,” said Jim Hughes, the team’s director of player development who is running the prospect camp this week. “He’s graceful on his skates. A big body that plays physical. He’s looking for open-ice hits. He moves the puck, but what separates him is his skating ability.

“He skates on top of the ice. He doesn’t lose any traction. He gains speed. He’s got great power, great explosion, great acceleration. It makes everything in his game easier because his skating is so strong.”

...

“Oh, I’m not good enough for the NHL yet,” said Loov, with typical Swedish humility. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in September. All I want to do is get better with my skating, with my skills, so I will be ready.”

Loov has been in town since May, getting to know the city and meet a few of his future teammates. He’ll stay through the team’s rookie camp in London and main camp in September.

What happens after that depends on what kind of camp Loov has.

At 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Loov likens his game to that of Alexander Edler of the Vancouver Canucks, an all-around defender but not someone who is flashy.

“I am a team-first guy,” said Loov. “If the coach wants me to skate with the puck, I will skate with the puck. If he wants me to hit, I will hit. Whatever the coach wants.”
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http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/07/08/maple_leaf_scouts_love_draft_pick_viktor_loov.html
 
“I am a team-first guy,” said Loov. “If the coach wants me to skate with the puck, I will skate with the puck. If he wants me to hit, I will hit. Whatever the coach wants.”
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Bet they like hearing that.
 
Man if Loov could become an Edler clone we'd be set on D in a few years....

Finn-Rielly
Loov-Gardiner
Percy-Granberg or whatever combination works best.
 
Marlies will be stacked on D this year with legit nhl potential.

Percy-granberg
Finn - Loov
Macwilliam - Nilsson
(Knodel)
 
zeke said:
Marlies will be stacked on D this year with legit nhl potential.

Percy-granberg
Finn - Loov
Macwilliam - Nilsson
(Knodel)
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1 of Percy, Granberg, or Finn (outside shot) will make the big team on opening night.

I can't see Franson being around on opening night, and the Leafs' D will look like ...

Rielly - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Robidas
Percy/Granberg - Polak
 
Not sure why people are higher on Percy than Finn.

Seems to me, Finn is ahead of Percy right now and is a much better bet for a spot on the opening night roster.
 
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