C/LW Anton Lundell - IFK Helsinki, Liiga (2020 Draft)

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Agreed people are hyping him too much right now it's too early to reach this far in comparisons with what we have seen from him so far. His development this season will be a huge factor.

I didn't know a player like Lundell should prove himself first before he's eligible NHL comparisons

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Is he safer and does he have higher ceiling than Kotkaniemi?

Safer but lower ceiling IMO.

 

[kelsier]

Safer but lower ceiling IMO.

A year ago one wouldn't have said that. That is, if it was possible to compare Eagle's D season to Lundell's D-1 which would put them close in the age range. So much can happen in so little time and I think that applies to ceiling as well. Kotkaniemi is an oddity, wasn't good enough to play C in the FEL but started and finished as one in the NHL in the following year. Has never happened before as far as I know. That said Lundell was more impressive last year than the Eagle was in his draft year and there's no way I would've even considered the latter over the former. You just never know how things pan out.

 

[Noma]

Safer but lower ceiling IMO.

Lundell has most points by a forward in Finnish league in D -1 season. He also has most points for Finland by a forward in a U18 tournament in D -2 season. And most points for Finland in a U20 tournament in D -1 season.

Obviously these are partly because of he is late birthday (i.e. the comparison to for example Barkov is not fair at all), but still saying his ceiling low is odd.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Lundell has most points by a forward in Finnish league in D -1 season. He also has most points for Finland by a forward in a U18 tournament in D -2 season. And most points for Finland in a U20 tournament in D -1 season.

Obviously these are partly because of he is late birthday (i.e. the comparison to for example Barkov is not fair at all), but still saying his ceiling low is odd.

Where did I say his ceiling is low?

I'm just making a guess here and I think Kotkaniemi occasionally shows signs of having a 1C future in the little things he does and how well he adapted to the NHL despite being too raw to belong. You see flashes of brilliance in him when you least expect it.

Lundell's always been great but my guess is that he's already very polished and doesn't have that X-factor to be a 1C. He's great but doesn't have as many tools as Kotkaniemi could have if Kotka could actually put it all together.

With that being said I think Lundell will end up better than Kotka and IMO he'll pan out as a very solid high-end 2C which is a veerry good player (although people on HfBoards think top 5 picks are automatic superstars)

 

[Polar Bear]

I think Lundell has a higher ceiling than Kotka from an all around standpoint, but he hasn't shown me to be on the Kakko/Laine level pre-draft. Love his two way game, but as I've stated earlier, I still don't see explosive offensive tools currently.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

A year ago one wouldn't have said that. That is, if it was possible to compare Eagle's D season to Lundell's D-1 which would put them close in the age range. So much can happen in so little time and I think that applies to ceiling as well. Kotkaniemi is an oddity, wasn't good enough to play C in the FEL but started and finished as one in the NHL in the following year. Has never happened before as far as I know. That said Lundell was more impressive last year than the Eagle was in his draft year and there's no way I would've even considered the latter over the former. You just never know how things pan out.

I agree. I can only make a guess on how they'll end up and I think Lundell will end up being better but Kotkianiemi's ability to adapt to the NHL despite being too raw for it and the way he can do a little bit of everything with really quick decision-making is very intriguing. Unfortunately he was very fatigued by the end of the season so he's got a lot of development to do.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think Lundell has a higher ceiling than Kotka from an all around standpoint, but he hasn't shown me to be on the Kakko/Laine level pre-draft. Love his two way game, but as I've stated earlier, I still don't see explosive offensive tools currently.

Kotkaniemi was picked where he was because of his ceiling. Good 1C potential with the potential for every tool being at least above average and a flashy game, but didn’t play center, didn’t play the WJC his draft year and was incredibly young for his draft. Lundell is near opposite. He’ll have played two WJC’s before being drafted, he’ll be old for his draft and he’s more current ability than ceiling. His puck skills lagged way behind Kotkaniemi’s. Kotkaniemi makes a lot of highlight-reel plays, like a Barkov due to having incredible hands. He might not be an offensive minded center because he has the potential to be a good two way center, but he’s more skilled than Lundell.

If Lundell scores more this season than those players, no one will say it’s because he’s more offensively talented. They’ll point to his age, his current ability in relation to ceiling and his hockey IQ. Lundell is not the same type of highlight-reel player. He’s like a Koivu type or a comparison we’ll know better, Derek Stepan. He’s not flashy, but he has above average offensive tools, a very high hockey IQ and the potential for elite defense.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

If the draft was today and the pick was between Lundell and Kotkaniemi, I'd definitely pick Lundell.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Lundell seems safe to be at least a good 2C but is he offensively more talented than Kotkaniemi is probably the question.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[kelsier]

Any idea what's happening with this kid? I tuned in for the second period and hardly saw him, maybe like twice or something and thought what the heck. He was also placed in the third line which seemed a bit odd considering successful last season. Lundell's TOI was 11:14 against Kalpa. Something doesn't add up. So I'm thinking he's suffering some illness or otherwise playing injured.

 

[FinPanda]

Any idea what's happening with this kid? I tuned in for the second period and hardly saw him, maybe like twice or something and thought what the heck. He was also placed in the third line which seemed a bit odd considering successful last season. Lundell's TOI was 11:14 against Kalpa. Something doesn't add up. So I'm thinking he's suffering some illness or otherwise playing injured.

The coach just prefers more experienced players in top lines?

 

[bebl]

after first game he improved but playing with keränen is challenging.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

after first game he improved but playing with keränen is challenging.

Keränen shouldn't play with Lundell that's true hopefully Lundell gets better with a time.
And when Nordgren comes back it should help Lundell's game too.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Where did I say his ceiling is low?

I'm just making a guess here and I think Kotkaniemi occasionally shows signs of having a 1C future in the little things he does and how well he adapted to the NHL despite being too raw to belong. You see flashes of brilliance in him when you least expect it.

Lundell's always been great but my guess is that he's already very polished and doesn't have that X-factor to be a 1C. He's great but doesn't have as many tools as Kotkaniemi could have if Kotka could actually put it all together.

With that being said I think Lundell will end up better than Kotka and IMO he'll pan out as a very solid high-end 2C which is a veerry good player (although people on HfBoards think top 5 picks are automatic superstars)

Look at a few lines above and read again
You are said Lundell has lower ceiling ( post number 377 ).
Or do you have so bad memory you can't remember what you wrote earlier ?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Prospect Deep Dive: Anton Lundell
DobberProspects player profile.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

That's an insane pass to pull off.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

That's an insane pass to pull off.

Yes it was. I got some Datsjuk vibes on that.
Datsjuk is one of Lundell's idols. And no i'm not comparing Lundell to Datsjuk.

 

[Hansen]

I might be off base but I don't buy this "average offensive upside" narrative. I think he's going to be a great player at both ends of the ice a la Barkov, maybe not as dominant though because of size difference

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[f1nn]

I might be off base but I don't buy this "average offensive upside" narrative. I think he's going to be a great player at both ends of the ice a la Barkov, maybe not as dominant though because of size difference

I agree with this, have felt like that for a while

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]