Hello all, hockey season has begun with the KHL already starting and the CHL kids either in camp already (QMJHL, WHL) or heading there soon (OHL). As usual, I like to begin the season with my season previews, so this will be the first of three focusing on the prospects playing across the pond. In these, I like to get the opinions of local media who have seen the player play live before. So without further ado,let’s get started by heading over to Scandinavia with the Jackets’ three prospects playing in the SHL.
SHL-SWEDEN
Kevin Stenlund-HV71
The second forward drafted in this year’s defense heavy draft was HV71’s Kevin Stenlund. Kevin has been playing on the Chainsaws’ bottom six in the preseason, but he is currently with Team Sweden in a Four Nations tournament. For a report on Kevin I’ll turn things over to scout for Future Considerations, Patrik Hansen.
“(Stenlund is) A nice surprise last season. Kevin took some big steps compared to the 13/14 season and was team captain and a guy to rely on in both ends. He´s a big guy with decent skating and really good puck transportation through all three zones, a lot thanks to his big size and his will to use it to cover the puck. Feels like Stenlund always finds a controlled way into o-zone and creates chances. You could really feel his presence when he was on the ice. Very calm and confident on the puck, takes the little extra time to set up his teammates in a better situation. Used his big body to brake in front of the net. In his own end he leads his team by getting in to shooting lanes, blocking shots, battle in the corners and outwork his guy. A good thing for him to work on would be his shot and scoring. If he can develop those things during this season it will be a good year for him. Maybe some stiff hands now and then when receiving a pass but not a big issue. Also worth mention his skills in the faceoff circle.
“A very interesting prospect and I’m looking forward to following his progress this season. Few players combine his skill set. Big, smart, attitude, leadership. Needs to improve his skating.
“In this upcoming season he will fight for a center spot in HV71’s first team. Been playing 3C in the preseason games so far and hopefully he can keep that spot.”
Gabriel Carlsson-Linkoping HC
Next up is the big guy among the Jackets three Swedes, first round pick Gabriel Carlsson. Gabriel, like Kevin, joined Team Sweden earlier in the summer and played for the Tre Kronor in Lake Placid. For his thoughts on Gabriel, I’ll turn things over to John Senewiratne, a reporter at TV station 24Corren in Linköping.
“Gabriel Carlsson got his real breakthrough last season with Linköping in the Swedish Hockey League, SHL. When Chicago-prospect Gustaf Forsling got injured Carlsson stepped in and did it really well. His size and calmness on the ice made Linköping keep him on the roster even during the playoffs, where Linköping where knocked out in the semifinals.
“This season Carlsson is expected to play an important part among the young defenders in Linköping with the youngest D-crew in the entire league.
“So far this season he has played in the Champions Hockey League with Linköping right now leading their group and heading for the playoffs in a tough group with Linköping, Bern and Helsinki.
“I believe Carlsson could grow out to become one of the most important d-mans in the team this year if he gets a good partner. My hopes is that Carlsson will pair up with either Chad Billins or Gustaf Forsling, more set-up-guys, so Carlsson can focus on just cleaning up the trash which he does best. He reminds me a lot of Carl Gunnarsson of the St Louis Blues. Not a fancy defender, but always comes to office and delivers.
“As (with) many young defenders, he needs to put on some more weight on his tall body. Some more muscles would improve his man-on-man game.
“I also raise a small questionmark on his low-level. He can be quite uneven, like alot of young players. If he can find a way to get that level up then sky is the limit for the Blue Jackets first pick.
“I think one or two more seasons in Sweden, and playing in the world juniors during this time, would do him good.”
Oscar Dansk-Rogle BK
Oscar’s first season as a pro did not go as expected so he decided to head back home instead of having to battle with Joonas Korpisalo to serve as Anton Forsberg’s backup in Cleveland (and being sent to Kalamazoo if he lost). Oscar went home and joined up with the newly promoted to the SHL, Rogle; but, according to an interview with friend of the blog, Uffe Bodin, Oscar doesn’t call this a setback. As for playing in Rogle, Oscar joins returner Lars Volden who went 24-17 last year. For an update on Oscar, I went to longtime friend of the blog/Rogle fan Andreas Holm for his take on the Rogle goalie situation.
“Last season Lars Volden became a very important piece of Rögle’s team. A bit unexpected some would say. Not because that people didn’t believe he was talented but that he would be that good that he would help his teammates, club and fans to the next level. Obviously, Stefan Ridderwall, with a lot more experience, wasn’t as good or focused, as the 23-year-old Norwegian.
“Now, after Rögle’s promotion to SHL, Volden got company with another youngster, Oscar Dansk. However, even if Dansk is a bit younger I think the fans expect more from him than Volden. Dansk is a known player in Sweden, as one of the most talented goalies, and we have seen his abilities in the U20 Championships. He and Volden will both get icetime this season, though Dansk will have higher expectations in him because of the reasons above and the fact that he is new to the team.”
LIIGA-FINLAND
Veeti Vainio-Espoo Blues
One of the Jackets more offensively skilled defensemen is Finland’s Veeti Vainio. Veeti has played in most of the Blues preseason games but, like Kevin Stenlund, he has recently been with the Finnish junior team for a Four Nations tournament. For information on Veeti we turn to Eero Hurmerinta. First up, let’s review the information Eero shared with me immediately post-draft:
“He considered going to NCAA but it was better for his development (stated also by last year’s junior head coach Tero Lehtrea who is going to be an assistant coach for men’s team next year) to sign a contract with men’s team. With Finnish school system player can generally go to NCAA during the year when he turns 19 which is still a year off for him – would have meant another season in juniors had he stayed in Finland and planning NCAA route.
“As a player he has a potential to be a steal – or fail to make any impression but with 5th round pick it’s not a big loss if he fails. He tends to be a bit risky in the own end and is not very physical though he has good size.
“I have to mention his skating which is effective but very strange. He can build a lot of speed while not raising his skates at all.
“Last year Finnish teams could put 19 skaters in the roster every game. Usually this was seven defensemen and 12 forwards. I think he has a good chance to take place in the roster and also get some PP time, likely in the second unit with last year’s rookie of the year winner Otso Rantakari being the best defensemen for power play. In the equal strength his role won’t be that big. The team has multiple good stay-at-home guys who would be good defensive partners for him. Especially I have to mention Mikko Kuukka who played with Vainio in his debut with men.”
And this is what Eero told me during the preseason:
“The upcoming season is the first which Veeti Vainio is going to start with men. His role is still a bit of question mark. He has been often listed as 7th defenseman in the exhibition games, but team has rotated all available so he has played enough. He has also been part of 2nd power play unit at some games.
“Blues has nine defensemen under contract. Few weeks before the start of the season, two of the more experienced ones are injured, which would mean Vainio’s best chance may be at the beginning of the season.
“His performances in the early season have big impact whether he can make Finnish U20 team.”
Markus Nutivaara-Oulu Karpat
The odd, but later explained, pick from the 2015 draft was 22-year-old Markus Nutivaara. Markus was a key part of the Karpat’s championship run that ended in back-to-back titles for the Stoats (what Karpat means actually). For more on Markus, I’ll turn things over to Janne Onnela.
“Markus Nutivaara made his real breakthrough to Kärpät lineup last season. He got a bigger role at the playoffs when team captain Lasse Kukkonen got injured. Nutivaara played extremly well and mature and never gave up his spot on the lineup after that. This season he will have a bigger role. He will deffinetly be top six defenceman in Kärpät. During the season he will probably get a role in PP unit also, but that hasn’t been the case in preseason yet. On preseason he has been playing in thirds defence pair together with Mikko Niemelä. Before move to North America, Nutivaara needs to improve his physics. He is a good skater and reads game very well. Currently he plays with very high self confidence.”
KHL-RUSSIA
Vladislav Gavrikov-Yaroslavl Lokomotiv
Vladislav Gavrikov is the first Russian drafted by the CBJ since Nikita Filatov. After being passed over in last year’s draft, Vladislav had a big year and pretty much had a C sewn to his jersey at all times. First, with the Lokomotiv MHL team (KHL junior/minor league), then as part of the silver medal winning Russian entry at the World Juniors and finally he ended up wearing an A during the Subway Super Series that the Russians won on points. While at the World Juniors, Gavrikov was named the tournament’s top Dman making him the first CBJ draft pick to receive such an honor since Rostislav Klesla in 2001.
As for this season, despite playing on Lokomotiv’s top pair throughout the preseason, he has been on the team’s third pair but he is still playing almost twice as much time compared to what he had in his games last year.
NATIONAL LEAGUE A-SWITZERLAND
Elvis Merzlikins-HC Lugano
This is a big year for Elvis as this is the season the Jackets must make a decision on whether to sign the Latvian netminder. Elvis again appears to be in a battle for playing time with the Panthers. For an update on the young goaltender, I’ll hand things over to Maurizio Urech.
“The 2015-16 Season has to be the breakthrough season for Elvis Merzlikins, last season he played 24 games out of 55 for Lugano but only one in the playoffs. Only one thing matters for him, he has to earn the number one spot for Lugano, helping his team to earn a place in the top three after the regular season and be the starting goalie in the playoffs and win one or more playoff-series with Lugano.
“The last year stats were good with 91,4 % SVS with two shutouts during the regular season, but he has the potential to be an Elite Goalie of the Swiss League. Elvis said he changed and now he is no more a young wild kid but a mature keeper who knows what he wants. During the preseason both keepers will get the same ice time and the final decision for the starting goal keeper of the season will be after the two back to back games again the Kloten Flyers, but also important will be (his) attitude during the practice where he has to show the coaches that he wants to be “the” keeper for Lugano.”
There you have it folks – a set up for the European prospects. I’ll be back soon with a preview of the squad the Jackets will be sending to Traverse City for the annual prospects tournament in which your CBJ are the defending champs along with two more profiles like this one.
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