Oliver Bjorkstrand

EspenK

Registered User
Sep 25, 2011
15,584
4,150
Will probably be denounced by many here because he doesn't go into the corners and spends too much time playing an east-west game while accumulating those 100+ points.

Me, I'm hoping he develops into a top offensive talent we need to pair with Joey and hopefully Wennberg.

As far as timing goes. I'll defer to Sore Loser who I believe thinks he needs a bit more seasoning before being ready for the NHL.
 

blahblah

Registered User
Nov 24, 2005
21,327
972
Will probably be denounced by many here because he doesn't go into the corners and spends too much time playing an east-west game while accumulating those 100+ points.

Buwhahaha.

If anyone does that, for the reason you listed, his last name will be Richards and his first name Coach.

Let's review this if we can get him much closer to 200 pounds. If his 170 estimate is close to accurate he probably needs to mature a bit more physically.
 

stevo61

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
11,089
12,158
Canada
Buwhahaha.

If anyone does that, for the reason you listed, his last name will be Richards and his first name Coach.

Let's review this if we can get him much closer to 200 pounds. If his 170 estimate is close to accurate he probably needs to mature a bit more physically.

He definitely needs to mature physically but he's not gonna be a 200lb guy. 185 maybe, just a small body type.
As for his immediate future, i'm sure he'll be headed back to Portland and show whether or not he can be the guy on the team.
 

blahblah

Registered User
Nov 24, 2005
21,327
972
He definitely needs to mature physically but he's not gonna be a 200lb guy. 185 maybe, just a small body type.

I did say "closer".

BTW, anyone 6ft (or close to it) can get somewhere between 190 and 200 (with body fat in the highly athletic range). He can also be quite quick and agile at that weight.

He would have to put in the work, but it can be done.
 

major major

Registered User
Feb 18, 2013
14,598
1,669
I did say "closer".

BTW, anyone 6ft (or close to it) can get somewhere between 190 and 200 (with body fat in the highly athletic range). He can also be quite quick and agile at that weight.

He would have to put in the work, but it can be done.

True for most guys, but some just don't have the frame for it. I don't think 6-1 RNH is ever going to hit 200.
 

stevo61

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
11,089
12,158
Canada
I did say "closer".

BTW, anyone 6ft (or close to it) can get somewhere between 190 and 200 (with body fat in the highly athletic range). He can also be quite quick and agile at that weight.

He would have to put in the work, but it can be done.

well if you want to be that picky then that Drew Miller must have turned into a tank. 6'2"... he must be like 220lbs
 

CBJWerenski8

Formerly CBJWennberg10 (RIP Kivi)
Jun 13, 2009
42,085
24,009
We'll see with him. He can obviously score, but can his body and game mature for the NHL game?
 

Sore Loser

Sorest of them all
Dec 9, 2006
7,622
1,220
Spokane, WA.
Still two years away, IMO ... another year in the WHL, and then likely one (or at least part of one) in the AHL. Let's not forget that he played on a team that scored 338 goals this year, and included Brenden Leipsic, Chase de Leo, Nic Petan, and Taylor Leier ... all of whom were above or near the 80 point mark. While Bjorkstrand was absolutely a huge part of the 338 goals, playing with that kind of offensive firepower around you makes things a little easier.

His offensive zone play is close, notably his skill. His timing is good, his passing is good, he has a very quick release and an accurate shot, and his vision is impeccable. He'll never be Boone Jenner in the corners or Derek MacKenzie on the backcheck , but he does need to get a little bit stronger to hold up against the rigors of the NHL, and at least be able to pick up a defensive zone assignment against guys who are 200+ pounds.

The Jackets have shot themselves in the foot over the years, by rushing guys to the NHL before they are ready. Bjorkstrand is a guy that, I feel, can be a big contributor, if he's brought along slowly and comes in as a polished, grown man. I like the kid ... if he is persistent, works hard, and can play his game at NHL speed, he's going to be a steal.
 

Justinov

Registered User
Apr 30, 2012
4,206
22
Copenhagen
I did say "closer".

BTW, anyone 6ft (or close to it) can get somewhere between 190 and 200 (with body fat in the highly athletic range). He can also be quite quick and agile at that weight.

He would have to put in the work, but it can be done.

If you look at his three years older brother (Patrick Bjorkstrand) that plays in KHL for Medvescak Zagreb -> he is 6 foot and weighs 192 pounds. He is actually a very feisty player that has become a regular 4'th liner and PK specialist for the KHL club coming as a rookie from Mora in Allsvenskan (second tier Sweden).
So Oliver Bjorkstrand should likely fall within that same weight with age and focused training in 2-3 years time (perhaps even a little bit more and faster, since he will start at an earlier being very focused on getting NHL ready, compared to his older brother that wasn't drafted).
 

Fro

Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
Mar 11, 2009
24,825
4,638
The Beach, FL
agree with Sore Loser...he'll go back to Portland next year and then to AHL...he's not eligible for AHL next year IIRC...
 

thebus2288*

Guest
I haven't seen any of him other than some of his teams highlights but to me it seems like he's smart enough and quick enough that with a little more strength he should be fine. I know it's just juniors but a couple things I've seen is he's not afraid to get in the corners and actually VERY slippery in close with the puck. Offensive skill is definitely there. Passing and shooting. Reminds me of Vyborny.
 

QuietContrarian

Registered User
May 28, 2008
8,260
3,083
I know it does not count for much, but with regards to the question on wether Oliver can hold his own in the physical department, it should count for something.

Oliver played 46 games in the Danish mens league at age 15/16 and held his own pretty well. 10 of those were PO. He managed 14+15 for 29pts in those games.
 

Vandalay Industries

Registered User
Feb 13, 2008
622
157
Except the Danish league has almost no physical contact without there being called a penalty. It is absolutely not comparable. There are a lot of small juniors in the Danish league.
 

Tulipunaruusu*

Registered User
Apr 27, 2014
2,193
2
Except the Danish league has almost no physical contact without there being called a penalty. It is absolutely not comparable. There are a lot of small juniors in the Danish league.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf1pYPQChWA

In my eyes it's almost complete struggle...

Surely having grown men as defenders for example makes it at least bit more thought out individual challenge every time.
 

R S

Registered User
Sep 18, 2006
25,468
10
I've been doing some work on combining scouting report data with statistical output and have applied some of that work to the 2013 NHL Draft. While it's still early, it seems as if the Jackets got some nice value by picking Oliver where they did when using this type of system to go back and rate players.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2014/09/combining-scouting-and-stats-40.html

- Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand appears to offer some fantastic value on this system when looking back, being rated as 4th on this list while actually being the 6th WHL forward drafted. Since draft day, he’s done nothing but grow as a player and continue to impress. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up being a top 2 or 3 guy out of this WHL draft class when fast-fowarding several years down the road.
 

Sore Loser

Sorest of them all
Dec 9, 2006
7,622
1,220
Spokane, WA.
I've been doing some work on combining scouting report data with statistical output and have applied some of that work to the 2013 NHL Draft. While it's still early, it seems as if the Jackets got some nice value by picking Oliver where they did when using this type of system to go back and rate players.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2014/09/combining-scouting-and-stats-40.html

Good stuff. Glad to see you're still around and kicking (I don't visit the mains any longer)...
 

Fro

Cheatin on CBJ w TBL
Mar 11, 2009
24,825
4,638
The Beach, FL
good...he knows how to use his (lack of) size and speed to get in behind the defense and get into good scoring areas...

hopefully he adds a bit more muscle and grows another couple inches in this last year in jrs...
 

QuietContrarian

Registered User
May 28, 2008
8,260
3,083
good...he knows how to use his (lack of) size and speed to get in behind the defense and get into good scoring areas...

hopefully he adds a bit more muscle and grows another couple inches in this last year in jrs...

Cheers :)
 

Sore Loser

Sorest of them all
Dec 9, 2006
7,622
1,220
Spokane, WA.
good...he knows how to use his (lack of) size and speed to get in behind the defense and get into good scoring areas...

hopefully he adds a bit more muscle and grows another couple inches in this last year in jrs...

Spot on. He's legitimately two years from making an impact in the NHL, if he's brought along properly.
 

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