Wiz is actually a decent comparison, although Welinski rarely goes for an open ice hit. In college, Welinski was a general on the ice, playing huge minutes in all situations. In his senior year I watched him wave his coach off more than once when it was time for a line change. He has the big shot and is pretty mean with his stick and in front of the net. He's not super fast but is fairly agile and quick, and is good at spotting a breakout pass.Reminds me of Wisniewski.
So which is it? Poor man's Mike Green? Josh Manson clone?
I need to see more, at the AHL level he always showed traits you look for... Mobility, able to move the puck, and a big shot. I think our patience with him can pay off in a nice way he's earned this opportunity.So which is it? Poor man's Mike Green? Josh Manson clone? I feel like they are opposite ends of the spectrum.
Faster moving skater than Beauchemin though.I’m going to keep with my Beauchemin comparison.
Both players are similar size, took a similar path to the NHL (timeframe), and I think the have similar styles.
Franky is a left shooter and was probably more physical, but they both have a hard shot and both can be serious minute munchers.
Faster moving skater than Beauchemin though.
So with his physical play, there's a good chance he wins a spot next year in training camp. A guy on the 3rd pairing who can play physical, score points & has good wheels is a big plus.
If only next years 3rd pairing can be Larsson/Welinksi, in sheltered 3rd pairing minutes they'll be fine.
He's better than Sustr.
We have an interesting case here with Welinski potentially able to become a UFA this summer. You could understand a 26 year old D with 33 NHL games under his belt might feel he could find more opportunity elsewhere, but our current depth chart would say otherwise.
Personally from what I've seen at the NHL level, I'd have no issues signing him to a low risk 1way deal to play bottom pairing/depth minutes, but the folks who follow SD have seen much more of him - how does he stack up against top AHL defensemen? Do you see an NHL future there?