Prospect Info: Andrew Nielsen

[one77]

My favorite prospect along with Kapanen.

He may not be ready for the NHL just yet, but in my eyes he's got the potential to be a top pairing guy. The package he has to offer is what you want ideally from a dman - big, tough, throws hits, very smart and has a cannon of a shot.

I really do see Shea Weber in his game, and much like Shea, his skating will never be his best asset. It does need work but we should all be happy that it's his skating that needs work and not his IQ or size...

Skating is something you can work on. Not necessarily fix but you can teach a player to better position himself and adapt in result of his skating

 

[teeder333*]

Third in points on the Marlies? This kid was just a great third round pick. That is some sick stuff, meanwhile we are calling up a guy who was picked in the first round and can barely register a point.

 

[Lion15]

Just going by what Keefe says and acknowledging that he has work to do on defence and skating. One year isn't a lot of time to do that and the Leafs want players to step in when they are 100% ready.

That seems fair. From the little I've seen, very strong skaters are able to get by him from time to time. I think a lot depends on his gap control which is a very dependent on his skating and more specifically his edgework and lateral mobility (Gardiner is incredibly talented at this). If he can make another development leap with this, the sky's the limit with him.

 

[WTFMAN99]

That seems fair. From the little I've seen, very strong skaters are able to get by him from time to time. I think a lot depends on his gap control which is a very dependent on his skating and more specifically his edgework and lateral mobility (Gardiner is incredibly talented at this). If he can make another development leap with this, the sky's the limit with him.

As he gets more pro experience he'll learn to make those reads better.

 

[Quiksilver*]

Third in points on the Marlies? This kid was just a great third round pick. That is some sick stuff, meanwhile we are calling up a guy who was picked in the first round and can barely register a point.

It's almost as if points aren't everything. Imagine that?

 

[Johny Drama]

I really don't see an issue with Nielsen's skating. He may lack a little quickness, which is pretty normal for a big guy. He moves much better than guys like Franson, Schenn etc.

He seems to think the game at a pretty high level and while numbers aren't everything, his point totals for a first year defenceman in the AHL are excellent.

I agree it may take him another full year in the AHL before making jump to the NHL, but I remember reading on here from a number of posters that Connor Brown wasn't fast enough to make an impact in the NHL level, yet now that Brown is on the Leafs, skating looks to be one of his strengths.

 

[Drew75]

Third in points on the Marlies? This kid was just a great third round pick. That is some sick stuff, meanwhile we are calling up a guy who was picked in the first round and can barely register a point.

The Goat is developing nicely. If we can get over where he was drafted for a second, he's a coaches dream who will be a beast of a player for us for a long time. You don't win by dressing 23 all stars, and say what you want, but 6'5 defensive centers don't actually grow on trees.

Too many people are fooled into thinking you can get a gem defensive center in Free Agency at any time - but that's not true. A truly elite defensive center at 6'5 doesn't hit Free Agency often, and there is a reason for that. Can you get a poor mans version? Perhaps - but why settle for one when we can potentially have a great one?

Those who understand the nuances of the game are the ones who don't complain about having the The Goat.

 

[The Podium]

The Goat is developing nicely. If we can get over where he was drafted for a second, he's a coaches dream who will be a beast of a player for us for a long time. You don't win by dressing 23 all stars, and say what you want, but 6'5 defensive centers don't actually grow on trees.

Too many people are fooled into thinking you can get a gem defensive center in Free Agency at any time - but that's not true. A truly elite defensive center at 6'5 doesn't hit Free Agency often, and there is a reason for that. Can you get a poor mans version? Perhaps - but why settle for one when we can potentially have a great one?

Those who understand the nuances of the game are the ones who don't complain about having the The Goat.

Perfect example was when the Leafs traded a 2nd for Perreault because they needed a face-off specialist.

 

[saltming]

I really don't see an issue with Nielsen's skating. He may lack a little quickness, which is pretty normal for a big guy. He moves much better than guys like Franson, Schenn etc.

He seems to think the game at a pretty high level and while numbers aren't everything, his point totals for a first year defenceman in the AHL are excellent.

I agree it may take him another full year in the AHL before making jump to the NHL, but I remember reading on here from a number of posters that Connor Brown wasn't fast enough to make an impact in the NHL level, yet now that Brown is on the Leafs, skating looks to be one of his strengths.

His skating is not bad but it's very important for a defensman to pivot well and have lateral agility or else they become a 3rd pairing pp specialist like franson. This is so they don't get walked around like a pylon or allows them to make space and find shooting lanes while holding the blueline.
Imo he will be a nhl player sooner or later but the question is will he be top pairing?
As for brown he worked his backside off to improve his skating! But again skating is not as important as a forward. I'm looking at Jagr here.

 

[Matthews34]

His skating is not bad but it's very important for a defensman to pivot well and have lateral agility or else they become a 3rd pairing pp specialist like franson. This is so they don't get walked around like a pylon or allows them to make space and find shooting lanes while holding the blueline.
Imo he will be a nhl player sooner or later but the question is will he be top pairing?
As for brown he worked his backside off to improve his skating! But again skating is not as important as a forward. I'm looking at Jagr here.

Jagr is your example? One of the most physically dominant players in NHL history?

 

[Mess]

Jagr is your example? One of the most physically dominant players in NHL history?

I don't believe that was his point.

A forward doesn't need to skate backwards like a Dman does so mobility and lateral movement and defending requires better positioning and ability to break up plays defensively.

Nielsen needs to improve in this area and can't get away from it like Jagr.

 

[Toronto makebeleifs]

Third in points on the Marlies? This kid was just a great third round pick. That is some sick stuff, meanwhile we are calling up a guy who was picked in the first round and can barely register a point.

Different team needs currently. Goat is a 4th liner (albeit he's going to be a pretty good one) and is going to see similar minutes in the big as he did in the A. Neilsen, if called up, would be relegated to 3rd pairing minutes as opposed to getting a boatload while playing with the marlies. Makes more sense for his development rn.

 

[saltming]

Jagr is your example? One of the most physically dominant players in NHL history?

And one of the worst skaters hence showing that skating is not as important for a forward versus a defensman.

 

[TML1967]

His skating is not bad but it's very important for a defensman to pivot well and have lateral agility or else they become a 3rd pairing pp specialist like franson. This is so they don't get walked around like a pylon or allows them to make space and find shooting lanes while holding the blueline.
Imo he will be a nhl player sooner or later but the question is will he be top pairing?
As for brown he worked his backside off to improve his skating! But again skating is not as important as a forward. I'm looking at Jagr here.

Id agree his high end speed isnt the issue, its his explosivness (first step) and his edge work that are his biggest issues.
If he can make the same kind of jump in skating as the GOAT did (aka meteoric) he can be a good NHL top 4D. If not, I agree he will top out as a #5/6 PP guy.

The nice thing is, we are in no rush with him in all reality. Give him this year and full summer to work on his core and leg strength.

 

[Falon]

Has to feel like a whirlwind for the kid. Two years ago he was finally starting for Lethbridge. One full season and he's drafted by Toronto. Second season in Lethbridge and he explodes on the scene. Right after year two, is starting in the AHL as a 19 year old. Within a month he takes over on the first D pairing. I think he is the youngest defenseman in the AHL this year. Please keep all this in mind.

 

[Lil Tuzzi Bert]

Has to feel like a whirlwind for the kid. Two years ago he was finally starting for Lethbridge. One full season and he's drafted by Toronto. Second season in Lethbridge and he explodes on the scene. Right after year two, is starting in the AHL as a 19 year old. Within a month he takes over on the first D pairing. I think he is the youngest defenseman in the AHL this year. Please keep all this in mind.

Dermott is a slight bit younger actually.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Has to feel like a whirlwind for the kid. Two years ago he was finally starting for Lethbridge. One full season and he's drafted by Toronto. Second season in Lethbridge and he explodes on the scene. Right after year two, is starting in the AHL as a 19 year old. Within a month he takes over on the first D pairing. I think he is the youngest defenseman in the AHL this year. Please keep all this in mind.

Nope. Off the top of my head Kylington is younger since he's WJC eligible and Nielsen is not. Dermott is also younger.

 

[saltming]

Id agree his high end speed isnt the issue, its his explosivness (first step) and his edge work that are his biggest issues.
If he can make the same kind of jump in skating as the GOAT did (aka meteoric) he can be a good NHL top 4D. If not, I agree he will top out as a #5/6 PP guy.

The nice thing is, we are in no rush with him in all reality. Give him this year and full summer to work on his core and leg strength.

Agreed on this. The first step it the easy one, so to speak, his lateral movement and edges will be the tough one.

I am more than willing to give him another full year before he comes up IF he needs it.

 

[Kiwi]

His skating is not bad but it's very important for a defensman to pivot well and have lateral agility or else they become a 3rd pairing pp specialist like franson. This is so they don't get walked around like a pylon or allows them to make space and find shooting lanes while holding the blueline.
Imo he will be a nhl player sooner or later but the question is will he be top pairing?
As for brown he worked his backside off to improve his skating! But again skating is not as important as a forward. I'm looking at Jagr here.

His skating is the only issue with this kid
You can teach a guy to defend but you can't teach that kind of shot or offensive skills set
He needs to be with Underhill this off-season
A LOT
How much she can do for him is another matter

 

[saltming]

His skating is the only issue with this kid
You can teach a guy to defend but you can't teach that kind of shot or offensive skills set
He needs to be with Underhill this off-season
A LOT
How much she can do for him is another matter

That's why he is such an exciting prospect because he has all the tools and the toolbox. Just needs to get some better quality tools.
Skating can be tricky to improve on. If it was just speed or acceleration I wouldn't be worried at all but agility is a tougher fix. Not insurmountable but more difficult to remedy. Also some skating cannot be fixed, I believe the term is 'bad feet' but I'm not good enough to tell if he has bad feet.

 

[dubplatepressure]

That's why he is such an exciting prospect because he has all the tools and the toolbox. Just needs to get some better quality tools.
Skating can be tricky to improve on. If it was just speed or acceleration I wouldn't be worried at all but agility is a tougher fix. Not insurmountable but more difficult to remedy. Also some skating cannot be fixed, I believe the term is 'bad feet' but I'm not good enough to tell if he has bad feet.

Tavares is the poster child of dedication to improved skating. It definitely can be done, but there are no easy roads to get there.

 

[saltming]

Tavares is the poster child of dedication to improved skating. It definitely can be done, but there are no easy roads to get there.

Definitely depends on the character of the player. Dedication is huge. I find for men in general they dislike stretching to increase flexibility and your hips need to be very flexible to pivot and for lateral movement.
I'm hoping Nielsen buys in and works hard. Full diamond in the rough potential.

 

[Kiwi]

That's why he is such an exciting prospect because he has all the tools and the toolbox. Just needs to get some better quality tools.
Skating can be tricky to improve on. If it was just speed or acceleration I wouldn't be worried at all but agility is a tougher fix. Not insurmountable but more difficult to remedy. Also some skating cannot be fixed, I believe the term is 'bad feet' but I'm not good enough to tell if he has bad feet.

I saw another poster talk about Nielsen and he had some doubts about it being a fixable issue
He even had doubts about Underhill being able to do anything his thoughts were That stride length and first step quickness are solvable but his issues are way harder to figure out
That agility thing sounds like a real *****
I look at guys like Brown and Goat and I get hopeful but he's got a lot of hard work in front of him
Especially as a defender

 

[burpsalot]

I saw another poster talk about Nielsen and he had some doubts about it being a fixable issue
He even had doubts about Underhill being able to do anything his thoughts were That stride length and first step quickness are solvable but his issues are way harder to figure out
That agility thing sounds like a real *****
I look at guys like Brown and Goat and I get hopeful but he's got a lot of hard work in front of him
Especially as a defender

It's not about how pretty you look getting from A to B, it's about getting there when needed. I think he has to work on his timing with the faster pace of the AHL. On the skating side, his backward speed & pivot needs improvement. Both of those are the bread & butter of figure skaters, so I'll put my faith in Barb.

 

[Kiwi]

It's not about how pretty you look getting from A to B, it's about getting there when needed. I think he has to work on his timing with the faster pace of the AHL. On the skating side, his backward speed & pivot needs improvement. Both of those are the bread & butter of figure skaters, so I'll put my faith in Barb.

I'm not knocking the kid I want him to work out as much as anyone on here
It's not that he looks ugly getting there (from my limited views) it's that he struggles to get there full stop
I'm not saying he CANT get there I'm saying it's going to take some hard work and even then it might not be enough

The question with Nielsen is how much better does his skating actually need to get for him to be a top 4 D? Which is what this team desperately needs
From my veiws of him a fair bit