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Post by Captain Obvious on Jun 27, 2019 13:24:22 GMT -4
That's a head scratcher. Why bother picking at all? They better not get rid of Khovanov now. If they were debating getting rid of Khovanov I would have thought they'd swing for fences on the second pick. I'm assuming it's just an insurance policy. |
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Post by catzfans on Jun 27, 2019 13:26:41 GMT -4
Alberg seems to be an odd pick. Almost as if they weren't planning on making one so they picked someone who as already played in Canada. He was a healthy scratch in the playoffs so not see what they see differently.
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Post by WhiteTyAffair on Jun 27, 2019 13:49:05 GMT -4
Axel Andersson article from The Athletic:
Before focusing on the upcoming season and beyond for the Bruins, let’s rewind one calendar year and check in with prospect Axel Andersson.
The Bruins did not have a first-round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft because general manager Don Sweeney surrendered that pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for Rick Nash. It was the right decision for the Bruins at the time, but it still bothered Sweeney that he did not have a first-round pick.
Based on a future need, Sweeney decided Andersson, a defenseman, would be the right choice with the organization’s first selection in the second round (No. 57 overall). With a 6-foot-1, 179-pound frame, the right-handed-shooting Swedish blueliner was an interesting pick. Now he’s in his second development camp in Boston, aiming to impress the Bruins bosses.
Boston’s amateur scouting staff had targeted Andersson as a late second-rounder. They intended to snag him if he slipped that far, and they did. The scouts considered him one of the better skaters in the draft among defensemen. Similar to the Bruins’ style of play from the back end, Andersson, 19, likes to join the rush and will be given the opportunity to do that in the organization when he makes his North American pro debut.
Whether that’s for the Providence Bruins or in junior hockey in Canada has yet to be determined.
“He’s still young and looks like a young kid,” said Bruins player development coordinator Jamie Langenbrunner. “He played in the second division in Sweden and had a little bit of a rough start offensively, probably trying (not) to make a mistake. He played in the pros as an 18-year-old and you’re going to be a little bit cautious, and he was.”
Andersson projects as a defenseman who can make plays at both ends of the ice. He boasts slick instincts and still has plenty of room to grow his game.
“He still has a young body, and hopefully he’ll continue to put in some good work this summer and we’ll see even more of a transformation in the next two months,” Langenbrunner said.
This past season was Andersson’s first time playing against men in Sweden, and he averaged 17 minutes per game for Sodertalje SK. He had zero goals and five assists in 41 games.
“I developed mostly my defensive game, and I took more responsibility this year,” Andersson said.
The Bruins wanted him to also work on his size and strength, and he said he was able to do that in Sweden. In development camp with the Bruins this week, he’s focused on gaining leg strength to increase his skating speed.
When Andersson plays in North America next season, he’ll need to adjust to the smaller ice surface, which he believes will be a smooth transition from the international sheet.
“It’s not an issue, but you feel it,” he said. “There’s a difference, for sure, but I think it’s good … you have to keep your head up and be more effective.”
It’s still a bit premature to project his future with the Bruins. Sweeney has done a solid job of rebuilding the prospect pool and depth on defense, and there are plenty of players in line to compete for a job. By the time Andersson is ready to make an impact in Boston, it’s likely that Zdeno Chara’s career will be complete. Who knows where Torey Krug will be, as he can become a free agent next summer. That leaves a core of Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Connor Clifton, Steven Kampfer and John Moore, all of whom should be under contract to start the 2020-21 season.
The Bruins also have prospects Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril and Jeremy Lauzon in the mix, so jobs will be limited but available to those who earn them. Andersson signed a three-year entry-level deal last July before he was loaned to his Swedish team. His contract could still slide another year if he doesn’t play pro hockey in North America next season.
The NHL is a man’s game, and Andersson learned that firsthand during his preseason game for the Bruins last September. Against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored a power-play goal but also took a beating when he suffered cuts to his forearm and nose. He showcased his willingness to continue playing despite the injuries.
“It was just fun to play with all these guys and have (Chara) beside me. It was fun to play,” recalled Andersson.
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Post by SteveUL on Jun 27, 2019 13:54:03 GMT -4
That's a head scratcher. Why bother picking at all? They better not get rid of Khovanov now. If they were debating getting rid of Khovanov I would have thought they'd swing for fences on the second pick. I'm assuming it's just an insurance policy. Like having your Lamborghini stolen and the Insurance company gives you $8,500 ? |
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Post by SteveUL on Jun 27, 2019 13:56:47 GMT -4
Well ... thats it ... its summer time. See you back here in August.
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Post by Shannon's burner account on Jul 1, 2019 11:07:49 GMT -4
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