Prospect Info: Adam Almquist: Will he make the NHL?

[PullHard]

I think so. He might only be with us for a couple of seasons before he gets passed (we'll see), but I think his offensive skills are definitely going to be enough for someone to want him on their roster.

 

[The Zermanator]

He looked like a Red Wing to me. I guess we have to decide sooner or later if we still want to try and be a skill team, a puck possession team. Because if we do, Almqvist fits in much better than Lashoff, Quincey, Smith and possibly even Ericsson and Kindl.

I wouldn't be concerned by a few iffy defensive plays in a game where everyone played horrible defense.
Look at how patient, confident and smart he is with the puck. Atleast for me that was great to see if you compare to all the panicked plays by most of our other d-men.

Next season:

Kronwall-Ericsson
Dekeyser-Kindl
Oullet-Almqvist
Smith/Lashoff.

I agree. I was at the game so I got to see him even when the camera was off him. A lot of people were worried about how he would hold up to an NHL forecheck. He stayed calm, even when pressured by opposing forwards. Just calmly made the smart, simple play. Lidstrom like, in that way.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Has to be said that he is the best passer to come up in a while. Very tidy with the puck and always wheelhouses everyone or hits them in stride, that part was on display even during the dismal game last night, the kid is a beautiful passer of the puck. Changes speeds on his passes as well, reads the right players and is very precise with it.

 

[aar000n]

UPDATE: The #RedWings have sent Adam Almquist back to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

UPDATE: The #RedWings have sent Adam Almquist back to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
score a goal lay good d and dont turn the puck over. Get sent down.
[MOD]

 

[jaster]

UPDATE: The #RedWings have sent Adam Almquist back to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
score a goal lay good d and dont turn the puck over. Get sent down.
[MOD]

Eh, XO is coming back up. I'm fine with it. When you want to give multiple prospects a look, there's going to be a shuffle. There are probably people who think AA is going to be mad about this and hold it against the Wings. No. That kid is heading back to GR with a huge smile on his face and a puck in his back pocket that's going on his mantle. He knew his stay wasn't permanent, and he knows he'll be back up again some time.

 

[Henkka]

That kid is heading back to GR with a huge smile on his face and a puck in his back pocket that's going on his mantle. He knew his stay wasn't permanent, and he knows he'll be back up again some time.

He also got 15k dollars about these five days in NHL roster. Not a bad bonus, compared to his 65k AHL season salary...

These are big things for a young player, before you hit in the NHL-contract jackpot money.

 

[InjuredChoker]

he looked fine to me considering everything. much more comfortable in his second stint. might become nhler.

 

[mindfly]

he looked fine to me considering everything. much more comfortable in his second stint. might become nhler.

Poor mans Toby Enstrom?

 

[detredWINgs]

he looked fine to me considering everything. much more comfortable in his second stint. might become nhler.

I don't see whats holding him back. When you're that efficient and smart of a player, skating and size are not nearly as much of an issue as they could be.

If he doesn't make it with the Wings, I bet Nill would be interested in bringing him over to Dallas.

 

[MTU hockey]

I don't think his skating is really holding back from the NHL, his speed is good enough. It's just his acceleration that still needs work. That and another 10 lbs. wouldn't hurt his chances of sticking in the NHL. Other than that he's got good tools.

 

[odin1981]

Still early given that he only played 2 games but he looks better than smith.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Still early given that he only played 2 games but he looks better than smith.

Yeah, now remember back to Smith's first two NHL games. He also hasn't played near the competition that Smith faces on a night to night basis.

Almqvist problem is really what is chasing him in the system and the players you don't expect to leave in front of him. Has nothing to do with his tools, though if he was a little faster and stronger or had a right handed shot you could start debating even harder in his favor. He is the best passer to come through the system in a while, but he has some stiff competition. That is the reason I still think his future while in the NHL is with a different organization.

Also will say if he wanted to I think he could become a 3 million dollar a year D-man in the KHL in the event it doesn't work out in the NHL but we aren't there yet and I hope he does stick in the NHL.

 

[odin1981]

Yeah, now remember back to Smith's first two NHL games. He also hasn't played near the competition that Smith faces on a night to night basis.

Almqvist problem is really what is chasing him in the system and the players you don't expect to leave in front of him. Has nothing to do with his tools, though if he was a little faster and stronger or had a right handed shot you could start debating even harder in his favor. He is the best passer to come through the system in a while, but he has some stiff competition. That is the reason I still think his future while in the NHL is with a different organization.

Also will say if he wanted to I think he could become a 3 million dollar a year D-man in the KHL in the event it doesn't work out in the NHL but we aren't there yet and I hope he does stick in the NHL.

Key words in my post were still early. Not saying he is a sure thing. But with the games in training camp + these two I have noticed his goal scoring acumen. And recently that has been a big problem for our team.

He also makes smart decisions now I may be biased due to having to watch quincey paired with smith so much but that is another positive to me. Which both of those players don't really do so much.

Given the def push that will happen in a couple years I would really like to see smith move to forward. I think he would do well as a forward. I firmly believe he is salvageable just not so much as a d-man.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

Yeah, now remember back to Smith's first two NHL games. He also hasn't played near the competition that Smith faces on a night to night basis.

Almqvist problem is really what is chasing him in the system and the players you don't expect to leave in front of him. Has nothing to do with his tools, though if he was a little faster and stronger or had a right handed shot you could start debating even harder in his favor. He is the best passer to come through the system in a while, but he has some stiff competition. That is the reason I still think his future while in the NHL is with a different organization.

Also will say if he wanted to I think he could become a 3 million dollar a year D-man in the KHL in the event it doesn't work out in the NHL but we aren't there yet and I hope he does stick in the NHL.

You couldn't see him in Quincey's roster spot next year? I think that seems like a natural spot for him.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

You couldn't see him in Quincey's roster spot next year? I think that seems like a natural spot for him.

I honestly think Ouellet is getting a job, I know waiver options and whatnot but I still think he bucks that trend, has a coach friendly game part of the reason he is already getting first year callups.

 

[Henkka]

How I see our future defence:

Norris-style overall defencemen:
Kronwall
Ouellet

Defensive studs with toughest competition:
Ericsson
DeKeyser

Offensive specialists:
Kindl/Smith
Sproul

7th D
Lashoff (in few years, some physical guy like Nedomlel or McKee)

Almquist etc. trade baits. Of course, things could go very different way. But this is my view on the crystal ball.

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

I honestly think Ouellet is getting a job, I know waiver options and whatnot but I still think he bucks that trend, has a coach friendly game part of the reason he is already getting first year callups.

That might end up being a Holland vs Babcock thing. Holland will want Ouellet down to find his offensive game. Babcock will want him up to play steady defense.

 

[Vladdy84]

I'm just happy that it appears that the Wings have a few prospects that could be legitimate NHL D-men. And I still have a lot faith in Smith to turn it around.