Prospect Info: Mattias Norlinder - Part 3

[Goalfield22]

Man, this guy is made of glass. I really hope Harris signs with us because putting my hopes into this kid will likely end in heartbreak. I know I am being melodramatic. Don't care.

 

[dcyhabs]

I don't know what got hurt but this kid seems to get hurt tying his skates.

Is he hurt again? Do habs prospects get hurt a lot, do they select fragile players, or is it just hockey and every team has a bunch of prospects with short careers? Lots of players had some problems, Scherbak had difficulties, Evans may just need one more concussion, but then you have the guys who may never recover or who are already out of hockey:

Brook
Ikonen
Reway
Olofsson (playing this year, at least)
Juulsen

 

[Deebs]

Is he hurt again? Do habs prospects get hurt a lot, do they select fragile players, or is it just hockey and every team has a bunch of prospects with short careers? Lots of players had some problems, Scherbak had difficulties, Evans may just need one more concussion, but then you have the guys who may never recover or who are already out of hockey:

Brook
Ikonen
Reway
Olofsson (playing this year, at least)
Juulsen

Sounds like just a cut to his face....but he had to leave the game. Sofffff

 

[Death]

 

[MD thaivuN]

Sounds like just a cut to his face....but he had to leave the game. Sofffff

he learned from his stay in Habs land

 

[Deebs]

Hurt again?

 

[Wateredgarden]

When did he get hurt? I mean he got hurt in training camp but I'd there any other long term injuries?

 

[Riggins]

MA Bergeron type PP specialist at best, but I don't think we'll ever see him again because he's too weak and injury prone.

 

[Locks]

MA Bergeron type PP specialist at best, but I don't think we'll ever see him again because he's too weak and injury prone.

It is hard to have a description of a player more off than that. MAB was a one trick pony - he had an elite shot and NOTHING else. He was 5-9, poor skater and could not play any D. Norlinder is around 6, much stronger, great skater and has a full offensive package - dangles, vision, passing and shooting. While his D game at the NHL level needs farther development, he showed that he can definitely hold his own in the D zone which is consistent with the reports out of Sweden, including from his coaches.

Last year some posters here were so impressed by his highlights that they were asking if he could be a first pairing Dman or even #1 - a take which is at the opposite end of the spectrum. My realistic expectation of him is that he becomes an offensive D at the NHL level and and which pairing he ends up playing on will depend on the progression of his defensive game.
And he is far from weak from what I saw in the games while injury prone might be a legit concern. It is like calling MaxPac weak because he is injured every bloody season.

 

[26Mats]

Seriously though, keeping epectations reasonable will be important for a guy like Guhle. He looks like a guy that will be able to play minutes in the NHL, but it may take him a while and he will have many bumps along the way. Exciting that we have a bunch of very good D prospects on their way though!

I hope Norlinder is able bulk up a little bit.

 

[jaffy27]

I hope Norlinder is able bulk up a little bit.

5'11, 190lbs would be ideal....he's a puck mover with slick moves, if he can refine is defensive game which I'm sure he will, we'll be in business as he has an it factor about him, he's got flair, I just hope for our and his sake, that everything pans out.

 

[26Mats]

5'11, 190lbs would be ideal....he's a puck mover with slick moves, if he can refine is defensive game which I'm sure he will, we'll be in business as he has an it factor about him, he's got flair, I just hope for our and his sake, that everything pans out.

Yeah the defensive side of the game and injuries are my two concerns.

I also think he'll be able to learn the defensive side mentally because of his hockey sense. I just hope he won't be too weak physically.

And I think bulking up would help him withstand the physical aspect of the game.

 

[jaffy27]

Yeah the defensive side of the game and injuries are my two concerns.

I also think he'll be able to learn the defensive side mentally because of his hockey sense. I just hope he won't be too weak physically.

And I think bulking up would help him withstand the physical aspect of the game.

yup....I believe he's in the 175 range so a 15 lb bulk up is a nice compromise between bulking up and maintaining that speed and mobility on the ice.

 

[MtlSars]

Any news on Norlinder? Has he been doing good back in Sweden since going back?

 

[montreal]

Any news on Norlinder? Has he been doing good back in Sweden since going back?

Frolunda hasn't played, the SHL has been shut down for covid.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Frolunda hasn't played, the SHL has been shut down for covid.

So you're saying he hasn't been on for a goal against in a month? Sweet.

 

[Habaddict]

Frolunda hasn't played, the SHL has been shut down for covid.

So really unfortunate he didn't stay with Laval. Could have played, and maybe helped them to a play-off spot.

 

[Redux91]

So really unfortunate he didn't stay with Laval. Could have played, and maybe helped them to a play-off spot.

Really wouldnt surprise me if he became a SHL lifer honestly

 

[montreal]

I don't know when the SHL will start back up but if they don't make the games up, which I have no clue if they plan to or not but I am starting to wonder that depending on how many games he plays if it might not be a bad idea to leave him in the SHL next season. He could get to play with Dichow and Laval could be very crowded on the blueline.

On the other hand the sooner they get him over here and adjusted to the smaller ice, without hopefully Dom as coach would be good to see as well.

I've seen a number of posters say he won't come back but I just wonder how that happens since he's under contract so he has to do what the Habs say. Granted they could just say ok we don't care if you stay in Sweden but if they say he has to come back next season, if he didn't he could be forced to pay back his signing bonus and could be banned from IIHF events so I just don't see him risking never playing for Team Sweden and possibly having to pay back 92K (I would assume that's close to a year's salary in the SHL although I don't know what he is paid over there)

 

[1909]

So, how is doing the next "Lidstrom" ?

 

[domiwroze]

So, how is doing the next "Lidstrom" ?

Mathias y'er magané en tbnk

 

[Legend123]

What's with all the negativity here? Did his smooth looks steal your girlfriends??
What did he do you guys? Support him, let's hope he does well ffs

 

[Schwang]

So how's Sweden, Matias? Still glad you went back home?

 

[Zam Boni]

I don't know when the SHL will start back up but if they don't make the games up, which I have no clue if they plan to or not but I am starting to wonder that depending on how many games he plays if it might not be a bad idea to leave him in the SHL next season. He could get to play with Dichow and Laval could be very crowded on the blueline.

On the other hand the sooner they get him over here and adjusted to the smaller ice, without hopefully Dom as coach would be good to see as well.

I've seen a number of posters say he won't come back but I just wonder how that happens since he's under contract so he has to do what the Habs say. Granted they could just say ok we don't care if you stay in Sweden but if they say he has to come back next season, if he didn't he could be forced to pay back his signing bonus and could be banned from IIHF events so I just don't see him risking never playing for Team Sweden and possibly having to pay back 92K (I would assume that's close to a year's salary in the SHL although I don't know what he is paid over there)

Norlinder and Frölunda will play on Friday again.

 

[Hins77]

0-0-0 in 10 games in the swedish league. Disappointing. I expected better numbers in a league bit better than AHL. He is gonna turn 22 yo next month. For an offensive dman. He is looking more morgan ellis than andrei markov right now