One of the young players key to their success this season is Hampus Lindholm, who skated in just 20 regular season games but posted five points in 10 Kvalserien (relegation/promotion) contests, good for fifth amongst the 54 defensemen who suited up during the mini-tournament. Having watched him play a handful of times since coming to Sweden in January, it's been interesting to see Lindholm evolve. I wrote this report on January 31st, 2012 after seeing the young blueliner for the first time. This game was actually his worst and he's improved on a consistent basis since.
I'm not ready to call him a sure thing but he plays the now protoypically Swedish Erik-Karlsson-style defensive game that gives opposing teams fits in the new NHL and he's not totally useless in his own end, a rarity in a league that's mostly a loosely-checked danglefest. He's definitely an outside shot to sneak into the first round if a team likes his upside and undoubtedly improved his draft stock during the postseason.
#5 HAMPUS LINDHOLM
DEFENSEMAN (Right), Rögle BK,
Hockeyallsvenskan
SEASON TO DATE: 12GP - 0G - 1A -
1P - -3 - 24 SOG - 8 PIM
STATS ON THE NIGHT: 0G - 0A - 0P
- +/- EVEN - 3 SOG - 0 PIM
Rögle BK @ Malmö Redhawks (Malmö
Arena, Malmö, Sweden)
31/1/2012 (19:00)
FINAL SCORE: MAL 3-2 (SO) RÖG
BY PERIOD: 1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 0-0,
1-0 (SO)
SUMMARY
Raw offensive defenseman with top-end skating ability
but questionable play in his own end. Lindholm's biggest asset(s) was/were his
feet. Showed a quick, powerful stride and his pivots were outstanding. His
backwards skating was strong but his gap control was off all night. Tended to
turn his back, or at least side, towards the play when anticipating the
breakout at center ice. Often reacted improperly when forwards would change
their speed entering the zone, giving them too much space. Showed the ability
to make quick changes of direction but the defensive awareness was not there.
Also showed a tendency to leave too much room between himself and opposing forwards,
allowing them to gain speed. Overall, he did not look poised when facing the
rush, particularly on the left side. Tended to lead with his stick when
checking along the boards, which was sometimes a positive, but he often reached
and as a result had a hard time being effective with his body. Two times,
forwards bounced off his checks without trouble. He also missed a check and
took himself out of position. Played a little too aggressively for his
size/strength. Might be that he's not used to playing against professional
competition and is still adjusting. Seemed to be unaware of how much time he
had with the puck. Once, with the puck floating off a deflection, he threw it
against the side boards without clearing the zone even though he had time to
settle it, creating a scoring chance for the opposition. Showed a hesitance
towards taking the puck deep in his zone or behind the net to calm the play or
restart the attack. Tried to force the play off turnovers. Communicated D
assignments with his teammates on numerous occasions but showed some hesitance
in doing so. Needs to be more decisive and less aggressive in the defensive
zone overall. Too tense. Too lax in front of his net. Got knocked fully off his
feet at least five times on the night. Again, could be an adjustment to the
competition. Whatever the case, he was a little too late in getting rid of the
puck on multiple occasions and paid for it. Was apt at carrying the puck up the
ice but his breakout passes were hit-or-miss. On multiple occasions he made the
right pass, but sometimes without enough zip, setting up his forwards to get
hit. Showed a good ability to keep the puck in at the point with his skates.
Lines up very wide off faceoffs, near the middle of the zone. Illustrated a
willingness to go below the dots in the offensive zone and was generally good
about picking his spots. Showed determination in getting the puck deep to allow
for a change, though he followed it a little too heavily, got crushed, and
allowed the opposition numbers the other way. Did not play on the PK or PP. Did
not get a shift in the third period after his team tied the game (around the 11
minute mark). Shorted many of his shifts, especially after getting hit hard.
Looked like a boy amongst men, but his skating ability alone makes him an
interesting prospect. Couple that with some offensive prowess, and he could
develop into a nice depth defenseman, but there was no visible star potential.
CSS CHECKLIST:
Skating
(8) Acceleration - First few strides, ability to pull
away from or catch other players.
(NA) Speed - When in motion at full stride. (Did not
reach full speed)
(5) Balance - Is he strong on his skates?
(8) Mobility - Agility, footwork, pivots, stops and
starts.
(7.5) Backward Skating - Overall backward skating
ability.
Puck skills
(7) Shot accuracy - Does he hit the net, force the
goalie to make a save?
(6) Shot strength - Does he have a heavy shot?
(7) Shot release - Ability to shoot without getting
set, off of the stickhandle.
(6) Possess multiple shot types - Quality of wrist,
slap, snap and backhand.
(6) Stickhandling ability - Can he handle the puck at
top speed? Controls the puck in tight
quarters, corners, along the boards.
(5) Puck protection - Ability to adjust body position
& balance to keep or acquire the puck.
(NA) Faceoffs - Gets his team puck possession off the
draw, used in all zones and all
situations.
(6) Giving a Pass - Delivers puck for easy handling,
leads his man.
(6) Receiving a Pass - Gets puck under control
quickly, can receive puck backhand, forehand,
off skates.
(NA) Scoring touch - Can he score several ways? Smart
around the net, has a nose for the net.
(Involved in chances but no goals on the night)
Competitiveness
(6) Scoring drive - Willing to battle, go to the net,
pay the price to score.
(6) Work ethic - Overall effort, works and competes
every shift regardless of score & venue.
(5) Attitude - Level of maturity; well developed or
'has a ways to go.'
(4) Consistency - How consistent has his play been
over the course of the season or in a game?
(He was better at the Rögle/Leksands game)
(5) Forechecking - Puck pursuit, fights through
checks.
Physical Play
(5) Board & Corner play - Battles for loose pucks,
willing to pay the price.
(4) Physical presence - Size and strength are used as
an asset; tough to play against;
punishes opponents every chance.
(5) Conditioning - Overall physical conditioning,
build, strength, stamina and durability,
seldom misses games.
(4) Hitting - Takes the body, effectively separates
opposition from the puck, willing to take
a hit to make a play.
(NA) Fighting - Willing to fight and is capable.
Hockey Sense
(7) Playmaking - Vision, offensive imagination, sets
teammates up for scoring chances.
(7/5) Anticipation - Reads and reacts to the play,
gets himself in position before the play
develops, sees opening for transition play.(Offense:
8.5; Defense: 5)
(8) Discipline - Avoids bad penalties, accepts a bad
call, not drawn in to retaliation.
(No penalties on the night; hesitant to join scrums)
(6;5) Decision Making - Ability to sort out options
and make the right choices. (Offense: 8;
Defense: 4)
(6) Play under pressure - Ability to make the right
decisions above when forechecked or in a key situation.
(3) Versatility - Ability to play various positions,
roles, special teams. (Did not play PP or PK)
Defensive Play
(6) Defensive Anticipation - Reads the play, gap
control.
(5) Positioning - Angles opponents, active away from
the puck.
(5) Backchecking - Picks up man, returns hard to the
defensive zone.
(3) Defensive Reliability - Is he used in critical
situations?
Psychological Factors
(4) Leadership - Takes charge, displays on-ice
leadership.
(5) Communication - Witnessed in-game examples of
constructive discussions w/ teammates and coaches.
(5) Confidence - Displays a noticeable 'air of
confidence' in his on-ice activities.
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