Prospect Info: Kasper Bjorkqvist | Winger | Blues Jr. → Providence (HE) | 2nd round, 61st overall

[shureshot66]

Pick was originally sent to Toronto for Daniel Winnik, then re-obtained last summer in the Kessel deal.

Ranked #136 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #134 by Future Considerations
Ranked #22 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
Ranked #79 by TSN/McKenzie

www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=122146

The physical game is Björkqvist’s bread and butter. He is strong and knows how to use his body. He can throw heavy hits and won’t turn away from contact.

General assessment: Björkqvist went undrafted last year when he was first eligible, but it’s almost certain he hears his name called in 2016. He plays with a 110% attitude all the time and can provide everything a team needs from solid PK to offensive contributions.

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/arponen-scouting-the-2016-nhl-draft-four-finnish-forwards/

Click to read more...

 

[wej20]

Going to Providence, hope he works out better than our last pick who went there.

 

[Gunnar Staal]

So we can actually pick European players, now? This is a strange world, we live in.

 

[wej20]

So we can actually pick European players, now? This is a strange world, we live in.

He's going the college route, so Shero would approve.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

10/10 name.

 

[plaidchuck]

The European scouting seems to have improved so hopefully this works out.

 

[Boocock]

The college route is nice for this guy.

 

[Waffle Fries]

So we can actually pick European players, now? This is a strange world, we live in.

We only pick European players now

 

[Gunnar Staal]

He's going the college route, so Shero would approve.

Is he undersized, though? That is the real question here.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Is he undersized, though? That is the real question here.

Nope, so he couldn't have been a Shero pick

Eliteprospects lists him as 6'1", 198.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Is he undersized, though? That is the real question here.

Nah, he's like 6'1" and 200 lbs.

I don't like this pick, even more than the Gustavsson pick (I was mainly confused on this pick). This seems like a big reach for a guy that doesn't seem to have top-6 upside. This pick seems like a low risk, low reward pick. He's a pretty good bet to be a bottom-6 player, but I don't think he has more upside than that.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Not sure about this one. I would have liked the Pens to go for more skill for a forward and take a little risk. Time will tell I guess. He's probably 4 years away from really knowing what we have since he's going to college.

 

[Plair]

I see Erik Haula clone in Björkqvist. Potential to be a good 3rd line winger with excellent PK skills. Gritty forward, but has also decent puck skills. Good skater but needs to improve his physicality. I'm surprised though that he went this early.

 

[The Greatest 101]

Not a dwarf?I'm so happy.

 

[Giskard]

Kasperi Kapanen + Bjorkstrand + Hornqvist = Kasper Bjorkqvist

 

[Burgs]

The Friars are losing six forwards to graduation this summer so Björkqvist should see enough ice time with Providence at least. They've been a top college team recently, winning the Frozen Four in 2015 and Hockey East in 2016.

 

[Jacob]

He'll be on the Finnish U20 team, so we'll finally have some representation in that tournament again.

 

[bigbuff33]

We passed up abramov and grundstrom. Don't really like this pick

 

[Big McLargehuge]

I see Erik Haula clone in Björkqvist. Potential to be a good 3rd line winger with excellent PK skills. Gritty forward, but has also decent puck skills. Good skater but needs to improve his physicality. I'm surprised though that he went this early.

I'd be very happy with Haula at #61. Thanks for the report.

 

[shureshot66]

 

[SEALBound]

Glad to have him aboard. Not a prospect I researched at all so...interested to read more on him.

 

[Waffle Fries]

Interesting. Sounds like he can play all 3 forward positions then? Versatility is definitely never a bad thing.

 

[SEALBound]

All of your qvists are belongs to us...next up...the King.

 

[Fordy]

 

[Dropkick Murphy]

Björkqvist would had played major role in FEL, but because he was NCAA-bound, he was not able to play in men's. Great attitude, team first player. Quite possible that he will pan out as elite bottom 6 forward. That's great outcome for third rounder.