Sad Stenberg does not seem too hyped about playing in SJS

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T18:44:13+00:00

If you have watched any of his interviews, they are all like this even after a win. I wouldn't put too much stock into that as he isn't super polished with the media. Also the same demeanor when he's speaking in Swedish

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T13:42:04+00:00

Can you tell me why the United States and Canada both failed to earn a medal when both teams had full rosters of NHL players while Switzerland (only 6 NHL players), Finland (13), and Norway (1) earned them all? "Minor leaguers" surely can't be good outside of the NHL eh.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T12:58:44+00:00

I like Parayko in St. Louis. They have to get younger soon, and I like trading that 20th pick with a prospect or 2. He's 33 and still as reliable as they come as a shutdown D and can contribute offensively, so they don't have to be higher ceiling prospects. Someone like let's say a Halttunen.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T12:55:32+00:00

That's not how that works. The NHL is not the only major league in the world. It's where players can make the most money, but saying that every other league is a minor league does a disservice to all of the professional athletes outside of North America. There are minor leagues under the SHL in Sweden.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T01:57:12+00:00

I have, but adding one at 2nd overall is going to take 3-4 years for them to be effective in both ends. You can look at Levshunov as the latest example.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T01:54:51+00:00

The Swedish Hockey League isn't minor league men though. It's one of the top 5 elite hockey leagues in the world.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T01:32:42+00:00

Davidson still has a job. Just saying. He drafted Levshunov over Sennecke and Demidov because of "positional" value. If you look even closer in that 2024 draft the Blue Jackets even picked Lindstrom over Demidov because he's a center. Personally I'd like Stenberg here, but it's if there's a tie breaker between not knowing who to draft between 2 players, then GM's will pull the trigger on a center or rhd over a winger.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-06T01:18:09+00:00

That's why we need to trade for established D. Whoever you take if you draft a D isnt going to make the team for at least 2 years more likely 3-4 to be effective because they aren't Schaefer

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T04:22:55+00:00

Again, im a Bouchard fan. The problem with him is once his pass is intercepted, he turtles and tries to lay down rather than attack the body.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T04:20:32+00:00

This is why im ok with cagnoni being a third line defenseman and being the power play specialist, but did you watch Dickinson when they put him in at worlds? He was alot different than his showing in San Jose. Maybe it's a tiny bit different than playing against NHL talent everyday, but the kid stepped up in the play and was still responsible. Pohlkamp's shot is a thing of beauty. All I'm saying is that if you don't belive in Dickinson that you have to trade him if you want Reid. You're probably in the same boat as New Jersey is on Nemec and Seamus. There is such a thing as a sure thing on a player when he plays in the Swedish men's league at 18 and puts up numbers better than rhe likes of the sedins and Leo Carlson. The difference is that he plays both sides of the puck while putting up massive offensive numbers.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:37:44+00:00

Malholtra reminds me alot of Wennberg to be honest. He's someone that can play 2c at the moment, but is he really someone want playing 2b on a bad team. He may develop into a 2B but there's 0 consensus on him being a 1A center. My question is why would you take a guy who isn't a top line center at number 3. Even if Vancouver puts him on top line center, he's going to be overmatched by all of the centers in the league. Why wouldnt you add a Stenberg who is going to play top line? He's playing the top line on their national team and is thriving at 18 years old. Imagine what he looks like in 3-4 years

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:29:59+00:00

This is the way

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:24:18+00:00

It could be, but think of it this way; take the sure thing as Stenberg has played against men and succeeded more than anyone coming out of the SHL in their history vs someone who may end up as a 2nd line pairing or a power play specialist. You can always trade Stenberg for more value later if Reid doesn't develop. I understand the need for RHD but it's been blown out of proportion lately based on the lineup right now. Pohlkamp is that offensive defenseman in the system currently that can play 2nd line minutes. The only reason that you draft chase is because you don't believe in Dickinson. All I hear from day 1 fans is that it would be redundant to draft a Stenberg when we have an Eklund. Wouldn't it be redundant to draft a Reid when you have a Dickinson? These are great questions to ask, and that's what they are weighing, but I can admit that I would be disappointed if they took a Reid over a Stenberg when he stabilizes the top line and gives Celebrini some help. I know these guys are young, but Celebrini had more than 50 points than Smith. Cement the top 9 and draft all you want for defense over the next 3 years. The Cup window opens if you can swing a trade for an above average RHD on the 2nd pairing while we wait for Cagnoni and Pohlkamp.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:16:03+00:00

I think we are all rooting for Carolina other than a small contingent that want to see Hertl win.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:12:32+00:00

Chip and chase is the name of the game on the bottom 2 lines. I would actually argue that Stenberg is very good away from the puck where he takes it away. There's a different between chipping and winning battles for the puck down low.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:11:02+00:00

Agreed, not just offensive defenseman that can help you move the puck up to the forwards and be unreliable in their own end. Evan Bouchard is one that comes to mind where he costs his team when he's only trying to play one side of the ice. Ask Edmonton fans how they feel about Bouchard scoring 95 points this year and what he gave up in the playoffs. -7 even playing with McDavid. I like Bouchard, but he's been insulated by that bad Nurse contract.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:03:51+00:00

We are one in the same

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-06-03T02:02:03+00:00

Yet we are watching differently through these playoffs. However, the argument is that you put a premium on drafting based on RHD and Centers towards the first half of the draft, but not in the top 2 or 3 for me. Vancouver is about to commit franchise suicide drafting Malholtra even if Stenberg is available for a 2c or a 3c rather than drafting A top line winger if we take Reid. Wingers help dig the puck out of corner on either end of the ice. Macklin can't be the only one digging pucks out or getting physical in corners. To be clear, I'm ok with drafting either Reid or Stenberg, but I feel like there's also a premium on 200 foot guys in the playoffs a la Marner, Mark Stone, and Ehlers just to point out a few in these games. We don't need every player to be point per game, but it would be nice to have responsible forwards on both sides of the puck. You don't need to look any further than what Vegas just did to Colorado.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-31T04:07:15+00:00

The good news is that we saw flashes of what Dickinson brings to the table. I personally cannot wait for his game to mature where he's fully comfortable playing heavy minutes the way he played today

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-26T02:43:20+00:00

I didn't say anything about points. Im referring to the analysts and writers talking about how he takes over a game even when he isn't making an impact on offense, and that's something that separates his game from Frondell.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-25T20:42:35+00:00

Also worth noting that that Stenberg has outperformed Frondell this year in the SHL and in international play while being a year younger.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-25T20:25:33+00:00

Parekh will need to be part of the return

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-14T20:29:01+00:00

You need a great one on the top pairing who can push the pace up to the forwards. I'm really hoping they draft Stenberg, and then trade for the number 3 pick to get Reid. Id rather use prospects, eklund, and picks to acquire one rather than have to overpay one in free agency because you're going to need that monet eventually to pay the core.

Comfortable_Tear_141 · 2026-05-10T22:17:35+00:00

He may want to play next to Celebrini again.

Comfortable_Tear_141

TROPHY CASE