Sabres #39 pick: Anton Wahlberg, 6'3" Center

[LGR4GM]

 

Edited June 29, 2023 by LGR4GM

[Curt]

If they weren’t going to take a defenseman, then this is a fine selection.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Sabres are allergic to defense apparently

[Rasmus_]

I don't get this pick, but okay. 

[Night Train]

Just now, GASabresIUFAN said:

Sabres are allergic to defense apparently

 Need them now...not in 3 years. 

[Crusader1969]

From Hockey News .

 

His size, skating and hard-nosed game intrigue and he feels like a late riser. He’s got the smarts and the right attitude, but is he a winger or Center  in the NHL?

Edited June 29, 2023 by Crusader1969

[Lanny]

4. Anton Wahlberg, C, MALMO JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)

July 4, 2005 | 6′ 3″ | 192 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Pierre Engvall

Background: Wahlberg was an all situations player for Malmo’s J20 team and a top-six forward for Sweden’s U18 team. He got called up to Malmo late in the season where he played a notable role, including in their relegation-round games.

Analysis: Wahlberg’s raw toolkit instantly stand out when you watch. He’s a 6-foot-3 forward who can move very well for his size and has legit offensive skills. The way he can pull pucks by opposing defensemen while moving at a fast pace looks like an NHL forward. He plays a direct style and with his frame plus speed can get to the net very well. I don’t think he’s overly physical, but he has some bite in him, gets to the net, and coaches tend to lean on him. Wahlberg’s biggest issue is a lack of vision and so-so decision making with the puck. Wahlberg played center in the J20 level but played wing with Sweden’s U18 team and in the SHL. If he can score just somewhat as a pro, with his size and speed he will have an NHL career as a middle six forward, whether down the middle or the wing, and I think he’s trending that way.

 

 

https://theathletic.com/4647999/2023/06/28/nhl-draft-2023-best-available-players-day-2/

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, Night Train said:

 Need them now...not in 3 years. 

Need both. Need D in the pipeline.

[Randall Flagg]

Kevyn has drafted 4 defensemen out of like 30 picks lol

[Zamboni]

Just like Benson… This is the wrong pick. 😂

 

seriously though… This is a good pick. No problems with this one. 

[LGR4GM]

 

[ExWNYer]

First two picks are opposite ends of the size spectrum.

[shrader]

And there hasn't exactly been a run on D in this second round so far.

[PromoTheRobot]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Need both. Need D in the pipeline.

Metsa, Johnson, Komarov, Lindgren, Davies, Cecconi, Lyckasen, Strand, Clague, Nyberg, and Novikov. We can use more but it's not like they have no one.

[Doohicksie]

4 minutes ago, Lanny said:

4. Anton Wahlberg, C, MALMO JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)

July 4, 2005 | 6′ 3″ | 192 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Pierre Engvall

Background: Wahlberg was an all situations player for Malmo’s J20 team and a top-six forward for Sweden’s U18 team. He got called up to Malmo late in the season where he played a notable role, including in their relegation-round games.

Analysis: Wahlberg’s raw toolkit instantly stand out when you watch. He’s a 6-foot-3 forward who can move very well for his size and has legit offensive skills. The way he can pull pucks by opposing defensemen while moving at a fast pace looks like an NHL forward. He plays a direct style and with his frame plus speed can get to the net very well. I don’t think he’s overly physical, but he has some bite in him, gets to the net, and coaches tend to lean on him. Wahlberg’s biggest issue is a lack of vision and so-so decision making with the puck. Wahlberg played center in the J20 level but played wing with Sweden’s U18 team and in the SHL. If he can score just somewhat as a pro, with his size and speed he will have an NHL career as a middle six forward, whether down the middle or the wing, and I think he’s trending that way.

 

 

https://theathletic.com/4647999/2023/06/28/nhl-draft-2023-best-available-players-day-2/

So.... Mittlstadt's brain in Tuch's body?  If he can develop some hockey sense he could be a good one I guess.  And if he didn't have few warts he would have been selected on Day One.

[PerreaultForever]

I don't hate this pick. This guy goes to the net and if he gets a little greasier he could develop into a good power forward. 

The rush on goalies made me wish maybe we'd gotten one of them but I will take this guy as a solid prospect. 

Finally some size 🙂

 

4 minutes ago, shrader said:

And there hasn't exactly been a run on D in this second round so far.

Too many of them projected for here went early. First round. 

[Doohicksie]

22 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Metsa, Johnson, Komarov, Lindgren, Davies, Cecconi, Lyckasen, Strand, Clague, Nyberg, and Novikov. We can use more but it's not like they have no one.

It seems like a greater percentage of defensive prospects come from Europe, compared to offensive prospects.  So they tend to be invisible until they show up in Rochester.

Edited June 29, 2023 by Doohickie

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, PromoTheRobot said:

Metsa, Johnson, Komarov, Lindgren, Davies, Cecconi, Lyckasen, Strand, Clague, Nyberg, and Novikov. We can use more but it's not like they have no one.

The are only 2 legit prospects (Johnson and Novikov) on that list and two very maybes (Komarov and Lindgren).  That’s it.  The new Strbak pick instantly is our 2nd best D prospect

[Randall Flagg]

7 minutes ago, Zamboni said:

Just like Benson… This is the wrong pick. 😂

 

seriously though… This is a good pick. No problems with this one. 

Just like Benson, you are quite literally making this up

[triumph_communes]

Opposite of what they usually pick. Interesting selection. Wonder what fancy stat we aren’t seeing or whether this was a traditional scout deferment 

[Eleven]

19 minutes ago, Night Train said:

 Need them now...not in 3 years. 

Need them now AND in three years.  There aren't many in the pipeline, either.

[MattPie]

16 minutes ago, Eleven said:

Need them now AND in three years.  There aren't many in the pipeline, either.

And given where the Sabres are with assets, this may be the right call. Fill the pipeline via picks, and handle now by trading current talent surplus (forwards) to fill the  holes. Sure, they could trade picks for players too, but then they'd end up trading the surplus players for picks years from now taking even longer to fill the pipeline.

[LGR4GM]

26 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

Opposite of what they usually pick. Interesting selection. Wonder what fancy stat we aren’t seeing or whether this was a traditional scout deferment 

Fancy stats say he is good in transition, really good along the boards, and pretty good in the defensive zone. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just thought I’d add that I like the player just don’t love the pick.  

 

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Just thought I’d add that I like the player just don’t love the pick.  

 

He's basically Swedish Matt Wood.