Ask me about Swedish players

[sportmats]

I´ve been following the Swedish Elitserie since I was a little boy (8 years of age). Now I´m over 30. The last 7 years I´ve followed the 2nd League, Hockeyallsvenskan, aswell on regulary basis. During the season I look at 8-10 games a week (in Elitserien and Allsvenskan). I´ve seen almost every eliteplayer in all ages here in Sweden. Many players goes to North America every season. Some are good, others aren´t good and some is really terrible and it is a riddle how they can travel to North America.

So If you read that a player, for instance Fabian Brunnstrom, has signed for Dallas. Dont hesitate to ask me in this thread about the player if you want to know more about the player, which type he is, skills and what he is not so good at and what you can expect of him.

[SPTO]

Well since you mentioned him could you give a report on Brumstrom? I've heard that he was playing in the 3rd division yet GMs in the NHL are acting like he's the next big thing.

[sportmats]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Well since you mentioned him could you give a report on Brumstrom? I've heard that he was playing in the 3rd division yet GMs in the NHL are acting like he's the next big thing.

Fabian Brunnström played in the division I (2nd highest league, under Elitserien and Hockeyallsvenskan) until this very last season. He made 73 points in 41 games in division I and in Elitserien with Farjestad (where Hakan Loob is GM) last season, he made 37 points (9+28) in 54 games.

He is a very skilled forward. Has good hands but lacks in the physical part of the game. But I reckon he will learn that in North America. He doesn´t have much of a shot but he is often on the right place at the right time in front of the goal. His puckhandling is very good but not excellent but has a good "eye-puck" visibilty.
He had an terrific beginning of the season but during the season he, unfortunally, got worse.
He has good speed on his skates, so I dont doubt that he will like playing on the smaller rinks.

Brunnström #1 on Youtube

Brunnström #2 on Youtube

Brunnström #3 on Youtube

[howdyhokie]

Hej, any other current Eliteserien players you see making the leap to North America soon?

[sportmats]

Quote: Originally Posted by howdyhokie

Hej, any other current Eliteserien players you see making the leap to North America soon?

There are some but I think mostly of them will play in AHL.
But Nashville has an really good forward contracted to next season. His name is Patric Hörnqvist. Currently he is playing the world championship for Sweden as had been one of the best goalscoring players throughout the tournament. He has a good scoring ability but needs really good passing-players beside him.

His teammates from Djurgården, Dick Axelsson, 21 years old and Daniel Larsson, 22 years old, will try their luck in north america aswell. Axelsson is a forward and has really good hands but lacks in toughness. He can score goals but sometimes he is completely invisible in games. You even wonder if he is playing. But I think he will appear in NHL the upcoming season. Guess what for which team he will play? Yes, thats right, Detroit. And I think that he would be really good in pair with Henrik Zetterberg.

Daniel Larsson is a goalie and will also go to Detroit. But he knows that he probably has to make one or two seasons in AHL before getting the chance in Detroit. He has played really good this season and is a modern butterfly-goalie that is very calm both on and off the ice. His weaknesses like all butterfly goalies is on pucks that are shot high. He didnt make the Swedish team for the world championship but was involved on the last training camp before the championship. For the moment I hardly doubt that he will be a 1st goalie in NHL the next 4-5 years but he will sure be a backup goalie.

Stefan Liv, goalie, that got the wrong shirtnumber in Detroit (he is very supusticios (sorry for my bad spelling)) and can only play in shirt no 1 will try to make another attempt in the NHL. His contract with Detroit ends at 1th july and he becames free agent and can get to another club, where he hopefully can have jersey 1.

There are some other players too but this is some of the players that will try their luck in the NHL. But it is better if you ask me if you wonder about any player.