Being a top6/7 dman on a WJC roster in any "hockey country" is an achievement in itself, even if your 20y/old you're still one of your country's U-20 dman, there is 7d's chosen for most teams in the tourny, except russians that usually play 5 man units, been a few years since I've really followed cause work night schedule... hard to find any negative in his skillset really, great shot/hands/skating, let's give him a couple years and see what happensRegarding the WJC, no matter what role he played, the fact he made it onto that team is a testament to how good he is.
The reason I say that is because the rest of Sweden's D at last year's WJC were Soderstrom, Sandin, Broberg, Lundkvist, Bjornfot, and Gustafsson.
Every single one of those guys have been part of the national program for years at younger levels (U16, U17 & U18). Norlinder was never part of the national program. He never played at any international level. It's very rare for a kid to make the national team for the WJC, the biggest youth tournament in the world, without having any previous international experience.
That alone says a lot about Norlinder and how much he's progressed and an indication of the developmental path he's on.
his defensive game does look better but he's still got a good bit of work to do there.
Habs management have the biggest hard-on for their prospects. You can probably ask Timmins about Ruscheinski and he will tell you how he still loves the player.Damn I was sure he'd trash him ! Who woulda thunk a Habs employee would have nothing but praise for Norlinder
Will Norlinder be over here another year?
He's signed for this year and next year with Frolunda.
I’m more intrigued as to whether he has a strong capacity to learn and develop a high hockey IQ, that will overcome any physical stature issues179lbs is part worries me. Small he needs to be real good or not much of a player. If he is above average offensively doubt he is even average. If 40 points rather have a 30 point Chiarot or Edmundson.
wow do I ever want Ronnberg and Naslund with the Habs lol. Talk about cerebral and saying ALL the right things.
It sounds like all in all he's doing quite well over there. I do want points but it really sounds like he's working on the right things over there. I'm willing to be patient.
they do say some good things in regards to coaching and what you would want coaches to think and do for young players. Plus Frolunda has been among the best teams in the SHL these past few years so he's good for the youth and his teams win.
As for the points, before his picked up his 3rd point, Frolunda's PP was deal last in the league. I'm not saying he can only get points on the PP but that's where you would expect him to excel. They picked up a couple PP goals so I guess they are no longer dead last but while the offense has picked up, I hope it's only a matter of time before he can be a little better in production as I never expected him to be a ppg player or close to it. Overall though as someone that's watched a good bit of him between last year and so far this one, I am very happy with his play and more importantly his progression.
Yeah I can understand wanting more production from Norlinder and KK but acting like points are EVERYTHING is silly. They've both made gains in areas they REALLY needed too. That's huge for me. Just frustrating to see people just going on points and ignoring the other areas. There's just never any nuance lol.
i was coming with the link after reading it . I have never saw a player getting that much of praise from every ones around him . Great report, you will see all the videos about his plays in the defensive zone as much as in the offensive, or in the transition.
there's an article about him in Lapresse and Norlinder told them that he was now at 5'11" and 192 pounds.179lbs is part worries me. Small he needs to be real good or not much of a player. If he is above average offensively doubt he is even average. If 40 points rather have a 30 point Chiarot or Edmundson.
for sure, and we can understand why fans want to see better production but seeing 20 year olds that are likely a huge part of any future success for this club, seeing them improve on their biggest weaknesses is great to see. But it's all about how much each and any prospect continues to progress, so what they are doing in small samples good or bad aren't important, we need to see how they look from the start of the year to the end and repeat that each year.
What this kid has is great instincts for the game. His defensive game is his strong point and he can build his offensive game from this platform.
I have no doubt he will be a star for us in the future.
his defensive game is his weak point, his offensive game is his bread and butter. He's on the PP but never plays the PK for a reason.