Prospect Info: #44 - RD Filip Westerlund

[XX]

BIRTHYEAR 1999-04-17
AGE 18
NATION Sweden
POSITION D
SHOOTS R
HEIGHT 181 cm / 5'11"
WEIGHT 82 kg / 181 lbs

Ranked #83 by Hockeyprospect.com
Ranked #71 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #82 by Future Considerations
Ranked #62 by McKeen's Hockey
Ranked #15 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
Ranked #63 by TSN/McKenzie

There is some real potential in Filip Westerlund. He needs to be a bit stronger and more physical, but if he can improve in these areas, he has the skating and skills to be a top four defenceman. It may take some time to develop and Westerlund will likely play another year in Sweden next season. His style is reminiscent of Anton Stralman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but this is not a talent based comparison.

http://lastwordonhockey.com/2017/06/11/filip-westerlund-scouting-report-2017-nhl-draft-74/

Westerlund is a defenseman who stands out with his vision and puck control. Plays a calm, cerebral game and can hit forwards with long passes from the backend. Defensively, there is room for improvement given his hockey IQ. Also, his skating could use some work, especially his first few steps. Isn't that agile yet, either.
- Erik K. Piri, EP (2016)

Undersized blue liner who displays a high confidence level in his carries and accurate passing ability. Terrific, well-balanced skater who can hurdle out of his end in breakouts, with excellent hands and hockey IQ. May be accused of trying to do to much solo. He needs the benefit of more time to develop both game wise and physically, as he still can be a detriment in corner play and in front.

�Bill Placzek�

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[LastWordArmy]

#44 Filip Westerlund

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/06/11/filip-westerlund-scouting-report/

 

[rt]

Doesn't score at all and is called a "defensive defenseman" at 5'11 174. Haha. Yikes. This won't end well.

 

[XX]

Doesn't score at all and is called a "defensive defenseman" at 5'11 174. Haha. Yikes. This won't end well.

Seems like he can skate though, for the most part. I'll trust the scouts on this one.

 

[Grimes]

At least he shoots right. Apparently he idolizes OEL and Hjalmarasson. I don't know much about him otherwise.

 

[Kaibur]

I would have taken Ikonen.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Scouting

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/06/11/filip-westerlund-scouting-report/

 

[lanky]

Doesn't score at all and is called a "defensive defenseman" at 5'11 174. Haha. Yikes. This won't end well.

At least we didn't use pick 35 on him. It was a good trade.

 

[IPreferPi]

I definitely would have taken Ikonen or Formenton instead. Or Phillips or Farrance

 

[XX]

Prefer scouts not go all-in on guys like this, he's a reach.

 

[lanky]

Prefer scouts not go all-in on guys like this, he's a reach.

Imagine how Bruins fans feel about Vaakanainen being drafted 18th OA.

 

[Kaizen]

Prefer scouts not go all-in on guys like this, he's a reach.

You make your list and you stick to it. Why do the work all year long if you're just going to go by feel?


They traded down because they recognized their list might differ from the norm, but at some point the risk of somebody else having a name or two you like on their list outweighs adding more picks.

 

[jacobhockey13]

 

[BlazingBlueAnt]

Interesting pick, He did play in the SHL as an 18yo which is pretty impressive

 

[BUX7PHX]

From the video and game type - this kid never stops moving his feet and staying active on the ice. For that reason alone, I am optimistic.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Leafs fan here. Must admit, I like this pick and wished we were able to nab him as well.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

So far, Chayka has more than proved himself to me. So if he sees something in this kid, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt rather than pan the choice right off the get go.

 

[Jagged Ice]

Doesn't score at all and is called a "defensive defenseman" at 5'11 174. Haha. Yikes. This won't end well.

Who cares if he doesn't score as long as he can't be scored on.

 

[lanky]

Who cares if he doesn't score as long as he can't be scored on.

We'll hope for nil nil draws every game. Find ourselves a shootout specialist and climb the standings one stale game at a time.

 

[Jagged Ice]

We'll hope for nil nil draws every game. Find ourselves a shootout specialist and climb the standings one stale game at a time.

I'm not suggesting we play a neutral zone trap system. I'm just saying it's ok to have an effective, stay at home shut down defenseman.

 

[XX]

I'm not suggesting we play a neutral zone trap system. I'm just saying it's ok to have an effective, stay at home shut down defenseman.

Nobody really stays at home anymore unless they are a specialist, and those are pretty rare. He's more of a jump into the play type. Stralman puts up 20-30 points or so, but is a stalwart on defense.

 

[lanky]

Jagged Ice, I agree. I guess my point is that every player has to help his team outscore the opponent. Usually if a player is doing that then he'll tend to accumulate some reasonable point totals. Not always though.

 

[PhoPhan]

I appreciate the Coyotes' focus on hockey sense as a key attribute when evaluating prospects, and it does appear to be one of Westerlund's strengths. His other limitations though—he's undersized, lost on defense and not especially mobile—seem difficult to overcome. This looks like a reach to me.

 

[Grimes]

Interested to see what people think of him at camp. I wonder if staff are going to encourage him to focus on the offensive side of his game next year in hopes he can develop his two way game.

 

[Kaizen]

I appreciate the Coyotes' focus on hockey sense as a key attribute when evaluating prospects, and it does appear to be one of Westerlund's strengths. His other limitations though—he's undersized, lost on defense and not especially mobile—seem difficult to overcome. This looks like a reach to me.

Huh? If he's got good hockey sense he is not going to be lost on defense.


Defensive acumen is encompassed within hockey sense.


Having said that this does look like a reach. We will see if the scouts saw something that most others have not.