Swe: Magnus the Magician

ConsideredtobeapromisingNHLdraft-eligibleprospectatthestartoftheseason,Lulea-propertygoaltenderMattiasModigplumetteddownthechartsduetoahorridfirsthalfbutmaybeonthereboundinthenewyear.AlsoreadonfornotesontalentedjuniorsincludingMagnusIsaksson,KirillStarkov,FredrikPetterssonandMortenMadsen.

MattiasModigClickHeretoviewthisLink.(2005),G,Lulea

Backontrackafterafallstretchthathewouldratherforget(savepercentagehoveringaround.850)..agilityisimprovedaswellashisbalance,positionalplayandoverallfundamentals..robbedFredrikPetterssoninthesecondperiodbyquicklycuttingofftheattacker'sangle,gettingthepuckrightinthestomach..confidence,poiseareimproving..puckcontrolhasbeenanareaofconsistentimprovement..stopped33of34shotsinthematchagainsttheyoung,skilledFrolundaclub.

MagnusIsaksson(2005),C,Lulea

SmallishcentreskatedwiththeSwedishU18nationalteamataDecembertrainingcamp..secondtononeinjuniorwhenitcomestocreativity;adazzlingstickhandlerwithapenchanttosetupspectacularplays..doesnothavehighfinishingupside;oftenseekseveryoptionbuttheeasyonetoscore..moreentertainingthanproductive..notasfearlessphysicallyastheotherundersizedforwardforthedraftFredrikPettersson,butislikewisenotintimidatedandwinsafairshareofbattles..showssurprisingstrengthatthefaceoffcircle.

LinusOmark(2005),LW,Lulea

VerysimilartolinemateMagnusIsaksson..justassmallandsimilarlycreative..abetterfinisherthanIsaksson..hasatendencytocomplicateexecutions,goingfortheextradekeorthefancybehind-the-backpass..pickedupLulea'sthirdgoalofthegameagainstFrolunda,scoringonalatepowerplayrebound..hasalatentmeanstreakwhichhe'llshowoccasionallywhenagitated..oftengetsdiscouragedwhenthegamegoesnotgohisway..mustgetmentallytougher.

RobinLindqvist(2005),C,Lulea

UnlikeMagnusIsaksson,hehasalwaysbeenalockonnationalteamrostersofhisagegroup..reliableandusefulbutnotespeciallycreative..readsthegamewellandismovinghisfeetbetter,anareathathasbeenaquestionmarkinthepast..adefensive-minded,responsibleplayer..notveryproductive..setupJohanHarjuintheopenslot.

Fredrik PetterssonClick Here to view this Link. (2005), C/W, Frolunda

U20 Frolunda's offensive catalyst .. set up a beautiful goal with a sharp pass in the neutral zone for a breakaway .. always moves his legs .. very intense .. shows a strong desire to win; leads by example .. creates space and time for himself with his quickness and positional know-how .. fearless physically; does not take no for an answer in puck battles .. still needs to get stronger; despite his work ethic he did lose a few battles to bigger opponents.

Kirill Starkov (2005), C/W, Frolunda

Russian native who plans on becoming a Danish citizen .. forms the crux of Frolunda's U20 offensive attack along with Fredrik Pettersson .. an excellent skater, very fluid and quick .. one of the finer stickhandlers in his age group, but is overly in love with the routine .. good wrist shot with a sharp release .. competitive and wants to win but must simplify his decision-making skills .. work ethic wasn't bad at all.

Morten Madsen (2005), RW, Frolunda

Has all the tools to be a dominating force at the junior level but isn't quite there .. was manhandled by the opposing defense and struggled to create space and create .. showed signs of frustration with an unnecessary boarding penalty .. not yet very used to being challenged, something he needs to learn to succeed at the pro level.

Kalle Olsson (Edm), LW, Frolunda

More was expected .. evolving into a defensive minded checker who is undoubtedly going to be a serviceable pro but is very plain .. creativity and puck skills are average at best .. disappointed with his lack of jam and the way the puck was knocked off his stick with ease .. a dedicated penalty killer but needs to bulk up.

Anton Axelsson (Det), LW, Frolunda

Blossoming offensively, currently has 10 goals and 30 points in 20 games at the junior level .. good hands, enough speed to carry the puck at respectable distances .. stride is very fluid and overall movement in effortless .. impressive hockey sense, vision and passing savvy .. his problem is that he is at times too deliberate and lacks drive and moxie .. great skater but failed to stand out in other aspects .. not phsyical but is defensively responsible.