Prospect Info: Round 2, Pick 54: Emil Andrae, D, HV71 (SHL)

[Appleyard]

To add more context... what has been really pleasing is not actually the production, though a good bonus.

If I were a coach and talked to him at end of last season would have said to focus on:

1. Improving skating.
2. Picking spots better at blue-line... while still being aggressive.
3. Making better decisions on outlets, make easy play more often instead of trying crazy stuff.
4. Get stronger.

And tbh he looks like he has done all four to a degree.

In turn he has looked like the player he was at u-20 level in Allsvenskan.

Still a way to go to NHL. But this season has been more positive so far than would have guessed going into it.

 

[Tripod]

Appreciate your in depth updates.

 

[Appleyard]

Was not a perfect shot but dont think goalie saw it. Got it off quickly and hard. And just inside post on blocker side.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[FLYguy3911]

Impressive production. I was looking to see of any comparables and Wilsby, Ekholm, and Norlinder are the only noteworthy players/prospects who even played in Allsvenskan as 19/20 year olds and they were all of the late-blooming profile. Tim Heed also would probably fit the bill also. Likely won't matter if he continues this pace.

 

[Appleyard]

Impressive production. I was looking to see of any comparables and Wilsby, Ekholm, and Norlinder are the only noteworthy players/prospects who even played in Allsvenskan as 19/20 year olds and they were all of the late-blooming profile. Likely won't matter if he continues this pace.

I am also glad the production is not just stacking up PP points. Everyone knows he can shoot and pass with free ice.

But so far 10/12 are at EV or SH.

His skating still needs to improve. But it is better.
And apart from 1st game of season have not seen him make any of those super regular mistakes (I.E. losing puck under pressure trying to skate it out, or whiffing at blue-line being too aggressive to deny zone entry) he did last year.

Still a way to go. But yeh, really positive. As much as could hope for really after 10 games.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[deadhead]

It is an unusual circumstance, he's basically in Allsvenskan b/c his team got demoted, not because he's not good enough for the SHL.
But he's doing what you want a prospect to do, dominating at an age appropriate level

Where would Allsvenskan rank? I have them somewhere around top NCAA hockey, above CHL and below AHL.

 

[Appleyard]

Just continuing to dominate. In all zones and all phases of play.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Just continuing to dominate. In all zones and all phases of play.

So what you're tell me is... Nick Seeler will play over him?

 

[Ironmanrulez]

Just continuing to dominate. In all zones and all phases of play.

He was drafted at 5'9. Any chance he will be 6'2 or even bigger? We dont play offensive capable sMoL players in the nhl. I fear he will never get a chance.

 

[RebusFlyer]

Just continuing to dominate. In all zones and all phases of play.

Thanks so much, Appleyard, for your updates. Really appreciated.

 

[Rebels57]

So what you're tell me is... Nick Seeler will play over him?

Even worse, Adam Ginning

 

[Appleyard]

Looks great. Almost every game just heads and shoulders above the other Dmen in the league.

His skating and decision making look faaar better this year and they are the two areas where struggled at times last year.

 

[Rebels57]

Looks great. Almost every game just heads and shoulders above the other Dmen in the league.

His skating and decision making look faaar better this year and they are the two areas where struggled at times last year.

Hopefully by the time he looks NHL ready we have a new GM/Coach that see past size when it comes to young defensemen.

 

[Appleyard]

Hopefully by the time he looks NHL ready we have a new GM/Coach that see past size when it comes to young defensemen.

He can be a POS who throws himself around at least aha.
And would not shock me if he was ~190+lbs right now.
And seems to relish PKing.

So that might help. But yeh. That column in the profile does not help with a lot of NHL GMs and coaches.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

He was drafted at 5'9. Any chance he will be 6'2 or even bigger? We dont play offensive capable sMoL players in the nhl. I fear he will never get a chance.

Who drafted him?

 

[FLYguy3911]

Desnoyers' post draft development is encouraging but it's tough to shake that two of his closest draft year comps were Rinaldo and Goulbourne.

Certainly could have been his outlier season but history suggests he's still a long shot to be an impact player.

edit: wrong thread but I'm not moving it.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

Who drafted him?

I dont care

 

[Flybynite]

So when he comes over and plays he can become the next young Nordic offensive dman to play like 2 years for the Flyers and then they trade him away for a bigger, slower dman who hits more people right?

 

[Ghosts Beer]

I dont care

That's because it renders your point nonsensical.

There were plenty of 6'2" or bigger, non-"sMoL" non-"offensive capable" players they could have drafted instead of Andrae.
(Or instead of York. Or instead of Brink. Or instead of Tuomaala.)

 

[deadhead]

He can be a POS who throws himself around at least aha.
And would not shock me if he was ~190+lbs right now.
And seems to relish PKing.

So that might help. But yeh. That column in the profile does not help with a lot of NHL GMs and coaches.

Well, we have a GM who is comfortable with short defensemen.
Some guy named Spurgy or Sturgeon or something like that.

 

[deadhead]

Desnoyers' post draft development is encouraging but it's tough to shake that two of his closest draft year comps were Rinaldo and Goulbourne.

Certainly could have been his outlier season but history suggests he's still a long shot to be an impact player.

edit: wrong thread but I'm not moving it.

So what? It's what you do now that counts, he's having a PD+2 (but really a continuation of PD+1, given COVID shortened seasons) that would match him with most 1st rd forwards. And because he spent his first couple CHL seasons in a defensive role, you don't have to worry about teaching him fundamentals.

Nor is he being carried by the 1st rd pick on his line, quite the opposite, Desnoyers has been the straw that stirs the drink.

 

[Ironmanrulez]

That's because it renders your point nonsensical.

There were plenty of 6'2" or bigger, non-"sMoL" non-"offensive capable" players they could have drafted instead of Andrae.
(Or instead of York. Or instead of Brink. Or instead of Tuomaala.)

I believe you when i see it

 

[Appleyard]