It really blows my mind that this is the first time Asplund is being mentioned this year. The kid was Swedens best player last night in the 8-3 victory over Solvakia. 4 assists ! 7 points in 5 games. Solid move by Murray and if Kulikov becomes a 2nd at the trade deadline we easily win the trade .
What is he currently projecting at? TOP-9? When do you guys think he'll be ready for the Sabres if he makes it?
What is he currently projecting at? TOP-9? When do you guys think he'll be ready for the Sabres if he makes it?
In my honest opinion, if he continues to trend the way he is...he is a better version of Larsson in every aspect (big IF). His game is best suited as being a tenacious 3rd line center...and a very good one at that.
You can think of him similar to ROR's game but not quite the offensive skill set yet...but he's definitely trending the right way.
I do NOT see him as a winger...he's one of the players that this team will need in deep playoff runs in a few seasons as our shutdown 3rd line center.
With that being said, I'd like to see him in Roc next season...and possibly with Buffalo the season after. It's going to be very telling how he transitions to the north american game when he's in roch. I'm not sure what his contract status is like the above post, but he's a very good prospect for us.
I'd say he's a couple more seasons out. I'd like to see him in Rochester next year or the year after, though I'm not familiar with his contract situation. As for projection, hopefully a strong "middle six" type of player who can move around the line-up.
Actually, high end potential I see him as a faster version of O'Reilly.
Actually, high end potential I see him as a faster version of O'Reilly.
O'Reilly played in the NHL right out of the draft, so that would already make Asplund really really really far behind your lofty expectations. To me he looks like a carbon copy of Larsson without the bulldog frame.
There was some talk earlier this season that Asplund might be ready to head to North America, but it appears not based on this: