Foppa
Future Norris Winner
I've always felt these two were underrated, but its amazing how little talk they get around these parts (aside from the Swedish board where there are a couple good threads on Kahnberg and some talk about Nordgren as well). Heck, Nordgren is not even listed on the 'Canes HF page and Kahnberg is way down on that list.
I'll spare the questions about their games - if you want to know, there is plenty on the Swedish board. But Kahnberg has an enormous lead in the Swedish scoring race, with 31 goals (Kallio is in second with a distant 20 goals) and a league-leading 46 points while Nordgren, although he's been slumping a bit, remains among the league leaders in points as well. I'd assume Kahnberg is nearly a lock to make the Swedish WC team and Nordgren probably has a good shot as well from what I've read.
Also, from everything I've read, these are players with fine technical skills (especially Kahnberg) and although not bruisers, they aren't tiny little European players whom you'd think would have a hard time translating their game to the NHL. As Huselius is proving, the transition can still be difficult even for a star, but the book has not been entirely written on him yet either.
It looks like Carolina might have a pair of ready-made young NHL'ers by next season or perhaps within two. I just find it a bit odd that somebody like Kahnberg, who is kicking so much tail in a league where guys like Huselius and Zeta were tremendously hyped before coming over, has received virtually no consideration at all in Top 50 lists and general all-around prospect talk in here.
So essentially, I'm using this post to start my Kahnberg-awareness campaign, yes.
I'll spare the questions about their games - if you want to know, there is plenty on the Swedish board. But Kahnberg has an enormous lead in the Swedish scoring race, with 31 goals (Kallio is in second with a distant 20 goals) and a league-leading 46 points while Nordgren, although he's been slumping a bit, remains among the league leaders in points as well. I'd assume Kahnberg is nearly a lock to make the Swedish WC team and Nordgren probably has a good shot as well from what I've read.
Also, from everything I've read, these are players with fine technical skills (especially Kahnberg) and although not bruisers, they aren't tiny little European players whom you'd think would have a hard time translating their game to the NHL. As Huselius is proving, the transition can still be difficult even for a star, but the book has not been entirely written on him yet either.
It looks like Carolina might have a pair of ready-made young NHL'ers by next season or perhaps within two. I just find it a bit odd that somebody like Kahnberg, who is kicking so much tail in a league where guys like Huselius and Zeta were tremendously hyped before coming over, has received virtually no consideration at all in Top 50 lists and general all-around prospect talk in here.
So essentially, I'm using this post to start my Kahnberg-awareness campaign, yes.
