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Making the Swedish World Junior Squad: Defense |
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Team Sweden basically got destroyed before the puck dropped. They lost their number one and two/three defensemen in Jonas Brodin and Oscar Klefbom to injury. It’s not clear if Klefbom will play as surgery would put him out for several months, Brodin is expected to miss 12 weeks. It’s a pretty nasty shock and harms what could have been one of (if not) the best defense in the tournament. Jonas Brodin (Wild) Brodin had surgery on Nov. 7, during which a plate was inserted, the newspaper reported, adding that he could be out up to 12 weeks. Severe loss for Sweden he’s their best defenseman. “And recovery time for surgery, if that is what’s decided, is approximately six months. He (Klefbom) says: ‘If the decision is surgery I will be out six months and playing more this season is out of the question. If that’s the case it’s just for me to start focusing on the next season.”
Defense:
Hampus Lindholm – Lindholm will be expected to lead the group with the absenses of Brodin and Klefbom. The 6th overall pick from last draft is having an extremely impressive rookie year in the AHL. The 18 year old plays a well-rounded game and makes very few mistakes. He’s excellent at both ends of the rink.
Ludwig Byström – He’s having a great year in the Elitserien and is making Dallas look very smart at snagging him in the second round. He has 4 points in 18 games and has looked good defensively. He’ll have to step up and show his two-way game. One issue this season is that he lost his physical edge, he was feared in the SuperElit as one of the hardest hitters, yet against men he barely makes contact, not sure if this is coaching.
Calle Andersson – The Rangers prospect is going to be a big x-factor. He has explosive offensive skills when given a chance and runs a PP like a boss. He’s terrorized the SuperElit for two years straight and shoots at a recorded 101 mph currently. He’s decent defensively but has a bad tendency to pinch a lot. I think he can step into the role Klefbom should have had, though he won’t be as good, he’s still a quality player.
Christian Djoos – Djoos is a bit undersized at 5’11 but it’s his 157 frame that is the issue. He has very good offensive instincts and flair. He can run a PP effectively and move the puck well. His defensive coverage isn’t that great and he relies on his speed to be effective. He’s been ok in the Elitserien and in the absence of the aforementioned he can make the squad.
Rasmus Bengtsson – Bengtsson took a weird path and decided to play in the USHL which I suppose means he wants to go to the NCAA next year. Very confusing. He’s having a meh year, but is still a very good prospect. He has offensive ability and loves to pinch. He moves very well and can run a PP. His play has taken a turn for the worse since his excellent rookie year in the Allsvenskan, but he still makes it.
Mikael Vikstrand – The Sens have a very interesting player in Vikstrand, he’s a two-way defenseman that is solid at both ends of the ice, but more importantly his offensive game has been exploding recently. He has 9 goals already in the Allsvenskan and is running the PP for Mora. The 19 year old is third in points by a defenseman in a men’s league and oddly enough has more than Filip Forsberg.
Tom Nilsson – The Leafs prospect is a solid shutdown defender. He plays an extremely simple game; he has solid positioning and plays a physical game. Sweden has a lot of two-way players but no real shutdown guy, Nilsson would play that role. He also has a very hard shot.
Hampus Lindholm - Ludwig Byström
Mikael Vikstrand - Calle Andersson
Rasmus Bengtsson - Tom Nilsson
Christian Djoos
Solid all around, but definitely hurting without Brodin and Klefbom.
Thanks for reading. Forwards next.
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