Prospect Info: 64th Overall, Mattias Norlinder LD

[SakuKoivu11]

A cross between PK and OEL. Hands and attacking style of Pk with the shooting style of OEL.

I have this guy as one of our top prospects. Theres certainly bust potential but as far as ceiling goes, he probably has the best ceiling of all our D prospects.

I disagree. OEL is really good one defense. Underrated because he plays for a team no one watches. PK is risky but high reward. Defensively is average.

Norlander is undersized. While good skater and stick handling he needs to work on defensive zone. I see him as a power play guy and maybe top 4. Mark Streit but better skating.

 

[Locks]

yeah I think it's safe to say he has the highest ceiling of our D prospects. He has #1D skills imo.

I would qualify that he has the highest offensive upside of our D prospects, no doubt about that. However, I would not go as far as to say he has a number one D potential. Romanov and Juulsen are on a totally different level defensively. I see him as an offensive dman and PP QB. The evolution of his overall game will determine if he can be a real top four or an offensive specialist a la Shattenkirk.

From what I saw, I think Strubel has a higher overall upside than Norlinder even though the Swede has a higher offensive potential.
But he is definitely a great pick up for the Habs as he fills a major need for an offensive Dman.

 

[Big Empty]

He has a contract with Frölunda for the next two seasons. He’s going to play in the SHL next year but will he come to the AHL the year after? If he has a strong year with Frölunda, I would bring him over and play him in Laval to get used to North American hockey.

 

[HOPE]

He has a contract with Frölunda for the next two seasons. He’s going to play in the SHL next year but will he come to the AHL the year after? If he has a strong year with Frölunda, I would bring him over and play him in Laval to get used to North American hockey.

he probably has clause in his contract where he can terminate his contract if it's to sign an ELC and come to north america

 

[montreal]

he probably has clause in his contract where he can terminate his contract if it's to sign an ELC and come to north america

he doesn't need one since there's a PTA in place with Sweden and the NHL.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I would qualify that he has the highest offensive upside of our D prospects, no doubt about that. However, I would not go as far as to say he has a number one D potential. Romanov and Juulsen are on a totally different level defensively. I see him as an offensive dman and PP QB. The evolution of his overall game will determine if he can be a real top four or an offensive specialist a la Shattenkirk.

From what I saw, I think Strubel has a higher overall upside than Norlinder even though the Swede has a higher offensive potential.
But he is definitely a great pick up for the Habs as he fills a major need for an offensive Dman.

If he reaches his offensive potential, he just needs to be adequate defensively to be considered a top pairing defenseman. Usually you pair these guys with someone who has more of a hang-back style. He's going to need a solid defensive presence with him.. but offensive is important in the NHL, that for me, being an offensive contributor and turning pucks from defense to offense is more important as 'defense' than being good at keeping people from scoring on you while you fail to maintain possession and attack yourself.

 

[montreal]

I would qualify that he has the highest offensive upside of our D prospects, no doubt about that. However, I would not go as far as to say he has a number one D potential. Romanov and Juulsen are on a totally different level defensively. I see him as an offensive dman and PP QB. The evolution of his overall game will determine if he can be a real top four or an offensive specialist a la Shattenkirk.

From what I saw, I think Strubel has a higher overall upside than Norlinder even though the Swede has a higher offensive potential.
But he is definitely a great pick up for the Habs as he fills a major need for an offensive Dman.

I have Norlinder ranked over Struble,

Prospect Info: - My Top 20 (Season Ending Update post #212)

But we'll see next year as it will be a huge tell on how legit Norlinder is or not. I could see him being our best prospect or a bust that just doesn't pan out.

Struble as I point out in the link perhaps would have been higher had he not been injured since he was playing so well after a tough start. I'm not sure about the IQ, but then again neither am I on Norlinder although I was very impressed with how he seemed to have changed his game mid season from being ultra aggressive to playing a much more complete game and not spending so much time next to the opposing goalie.

 

[Vachon23]

If he reaches his offensive potential, he just needs to be adequate defensively to be considered a top pairing defenseman. Usually you pair these guys with someone who has more of a hang-back style. He's going to need a solid defensive presence with him.. but offensive is important in the NHL, that for me, being an offensive contributor and turning pucks from defense to offense is more important as 'defense' than being good at keeping people from scoring on you while you fail to maintain possession and attack yourself.

I know a certain prospect who just sign with the club that fil perfectly this description

 

[WeThreeKings]

I know a certain prospect who just sign with the club that fil perfectly this description

Both play LD though. Norlinder might benefit from a non dead Juulsen

 

[Vachon23]

Both play LD though. Norlinder might benefit from a non dead Juulsen

Norlinder played a couple of time on the RD side I think this year ? Maybe I’m wrong ?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Norlinder played a couple of time on the RD side I think this year ? Maybe I’m wrong ?

I felt that way too but most coaches in the NHL do want correct handedness, so who knows.

 

[Vachon23]

I felt that way too but most coaches in the NHL do want correct handedness, so who knows.

true but there is LD who had a career on the right side and are better on that side. Hjarmarlsson and Brodie by exemple. I think if they can see a good fit between those 2, they will probably try it

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I have Norlinder ranked over Struble,

Prospect Info: - My Top 20 (Season Ending Update post #212)

But we'll see next year as it will be a huge tell on how legit Norlinder is or not. I could see him being our best prospect or a bust that just doesn't pan out.

Struble as I point out in the link perhaps would have been higher had he not been injured since he was playing so well after a tough start. I'm not sure about the IQ, but then again neither am I on Norlinder although I was very impressed with how he seemed to have changed his game mid season from being ultra aggressive to playing a much more complete game and not spending so much time next to the opposing goalie.

I recall you being pretty high on Nygren back in the day, how do the two compare prospect wise?

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

I recall you being pretty high on Nygren back in the day, how do the two compare prospect wise?

Kinda hard to compare them as far as I'm concerned, they both have a great one timer and a similar frame but that's about it. Norlinder is a much better skater and much more of a puck carrier, his game is completely different. Nygren did round out his play since and he's had a fine pro career in Europe so it's no knock on him.

 

[Locks]

If he reaches his offensive potential, he just needs to be adequate defensively to be considered a top pairing defenseman. Usually you pair these guys with someone who has more of a hang-back style. He's going to need a solid defensive presence with him.. but offensive is important in the NHL, that for me, being an offensive contributor and turning pucks from defense to offense is more important as 'defense' than being good at keeping people from scoring on you while you fail to maintain possession and attack yourself.

I value puck moving ability and offensive skills highly too, so I agree with you in that regard. The era of Gill, "Swedish fridge" Murray or Alzner is thankfully over. It varies from team to team, but on a number of organizations in order to play on the first pairing one needs to have to be more than adequate defensively and that list surely includes the Habs. I just can't see Claude putting a guy who is just adequate defensively on the first pairing, considering the rather impressive group of LDs prospects that should be around when Norlinder makes his move across the Atlantic. I will be happy if Norlinder becomes a second pairing D playing with a guy like Juulsen rather than an offensive specialist like Shattenkirk.

 

[Locks]

I have Norlinder ranked over Struble,

Prospect Info: - My Top 20 (Season Ending Update post #212)

But we'll see next year as it will be a huge tell on how legit Norlinder is or not. I could see him being our best prospect or a bust that just doesn't pan out.

Struble as I point out in the link perhaps would have been higher had he not been injured since he was playing so well after a tough start. I'm not sure about the IQ, but then again neither am I on Norlinder although I was very impressed with how he seemed to have changed his game mid season from being ultra aggressive to playing a much more complete game and not spending so much time next to the opposing goalie.

I see your point and Struble's injury definitely prevented him from getting fully valued this season. As for his IQ, that was the element I was trying to figure out the most watching him because his other attributes such as skating, puck handling, passing, shot and physical abilities are quite evident. And I liked what I saw, albeit it was in rather limited viewings. His poise with the puck and calm was the traits I really liked to see. In one game on TV, the colour guy said that he is emerging as a difference maker.

I see Struble as a top four all around guy, PP and PK presence, with a possible first pairing upside, but he needs development before that happens.

 

[montreal]

Norlinder played a couple of time on the RD side I think this year ? Maybe I’m wrong ?

all the time, in all the games with Modo that I saw he played RD.

I recall you being pretty high on Nygren back in the day, how do the two compare prospect wise?

both were offensive D's, Nygren had a big shot, Norlinder looks like a forward with his wrist shot as it's just sick.

I see your point and Struble's injury definitely prevented him from getting fully valued this season. As for his IQ, that was the element I was trying to figure out the most watching him because his other attributes such as skating, puck handling, passing, shot and physical abilities are quite evident. And I liked what I saw, albeit it was in rather limited viewings. His poise with the puck and calm was the traits I really liked to see. In one game on TV, the colour guy said that he is emerging as a difference maker.

I see Struble as a top four all around guy, PP and PK presence, with a possible first pairing upside, but he needs development before that happens.

Struble and Norlinder are just so much wild cards right now, either could be our best prospect this time next year or either could do much of nothing. I worry more about Struble's IQ but next year will be so much more telling for both, especially if Struble can make Team USA's roster if there's a WJC.

 

[Per Sjoblom]

Is there a place or a club in Canada similar to Modo that seems to bring out many good players despite a fairly small population? Örnsköldsvik has 32,000 people roughly which is smaller than my hometown in Sweden and we have not produced many good players myself included. Modo has basically produced a very good Swedish national team.

 

[Favster]

Is there a place or a club in Canada similar to Modo that seems to bring out many good players despite a fairly small population? Örnsköldsvik has 32,000 people roughly which is smaller than my hometown in Sweden and we have not produced many good players myself included. Modo has basically produced a very good Swedish national team.

Cole Arbour, population is 75000 and both MacKinnon and Crosby are from there. Pretty crazy.

 

[26Mats]

Cole Arbour, population is 75000 and both McKinnon and Crosby are from there. Pretty crazy.

They must have a good development system.

Finland has a population of 4 million and look how many NHLers are coming from there.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[ahmedou]

Mattias Norlinder is looking to keep last year’s momentum rolling

“The defenceman is optimistic about his new challenge as he heads to the SHL”

 

[Runner77]

The more I read about Norlinder, the greater the compliments he gets.

Do we have ourselves a potential first pairing D?

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Cole Arbour, population is 75000 and both MacKinnon and Crosby are from there. Pretty crazy.

The population of Cole Harbour is much smaller than that.....they are including the much larger Dartmouth in that number. I would guess that it is below 20,000 having been there a few times.

 

[montreal]

Mattias Norlinder is looking to keep last year’s momentum rolling

“The defenceman is optimistic about his new challenge as he heads to the SHL”

Norlinder’s speed is the most eye catching element of his highlight packages. But while the defender acknowledges that his skating is a big part of his success, he bristles a little bit at the notion that he’s a one-dimensional player. Although admitting to breaking a Modo team record for fastest skater — superseding such illustrious company like Mats Zuccarello, Peter Forsberg, and Markus Näslund — “one or two years ago”, Norlinder thinks that he still needs to work on his speed, describing himself as “not that fast”.
When asked about how he is commonly compared to Philip Broberg, another defender best known for end-to-end rushes, Norlinder isn’t sold on the notion. “I think I’m more of a two-way D than he is, and that he’s better than me as a skater. [From the TV] We might look similar, but he’s Broberg and I’m Norlinder.”

The more I read about Norlinder, the greater the compliments he gets.

Do we have ourselves a potential first pairing D?

for sure, but like Struble we need to see him play a full season vs a higher level of competition so next year will be very telling for both as both have 1st pairing potential but so did Brook and once he faced a higher level of competition he got exposed for his lack of strength and some poor decisions in his own end. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have top pairing potential but now it looks less likely until he shows a lot more at the AHL level.