OgeeOgelthorpe
Sparkplug
- Feb 29, 2020
- 17,262
- 18,431
How good is Wallstedt? Spencer Knight Askarov level?
I think at the moment Askarov is the best of all 3 top tier goalie prospects but I wouldn't use that as a slight against the other two. They're all a little different but could all end up as top 5 or top 10 goalies in the NHL for a long time. Those hard to find 60+ games played, 35+ win goalies.
Askarov has elite athleticism and size and will make a save that makes me think of Buffalo era Hasek. I think he needs the most work on his mechanics in crease and working the angles better in net. He could be a really exciting goalie that makes the highlight reels for a long time.
Knight has the best positioning of the trio with the ability to just be in the right place at the right time. The puck just seems to find him from what I've seen of the guy, and is probably the #1 or #2 reason why USA won gold at the U20 WJC this year. His athleticism is what I think needs the most work when compared to others.
Wallstedt is pretty sound positionally and does such a great job of taking away the bottom of the net just like Knight. His blocker side and stick are scary good and he's capable of making some really great sprawling saves like Askarov. Glove side needs work though. If he can get a hair faster on his glove to smother the puck better then he could be the best of the trio.
Honestly, I wouldn't be mad at all if we got Wallstedt at 6.