 |
|
|
Age isn't everything Red Wings have high hopes for older, early-round Swedes ... This was not the first time Dick Axelsson and Daniel Larsson were eligible for the NHL entry draft. In the past, nobody wanted them. The Detroit Red Wings weren’t fazed by that fact this weekend, however, selecting both in the top 100 picks at the draft in Vancouver. Axelsson, 19, and Larsson, 20, are as many as two years older than other draft-eligible prospects. The Red Wings categorize them as “late-bloomers,” and see shades of Pavel Datsyuk — an NHL all-star passed over in two drafts before being picked in 1998. “We forget that the draft used to be a 20-year-old draft,” said Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill. “We get stuck sometimes that we’ve got draft a kid that’s 17. But everybody develops at different stages.” The Red Wings took Axelsson in the second round (62nd overall) and Larsson in the third (92nd). They scouted both prospects in 2004-05, but were wowed by their rapid progress last season. Axelsson, a 6-foot-2, 198-pound left-winger, was unrated by mainstream scouting publications. He was a top scorer at Sweden’s top under-20 level last season, picking up 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points — along with 157 penalty minutes — in 28 games with Huddinge. He also piled up 24 goals in just 32 games at Sweden’s third-tier men’s level, earning the affectionate nickname “Hat-trick Dick” in Huddinge. Nill said Axelsson’s game is “really taking off.” “He’s got high-end skills and the size to go with it,” Nill said. “He can skate, he’s got good hands, and he competes. We had him high on our list. If you roll the dice, you might get him in the third round, but we didn’t want to wait. We liked the guy and decided to take him.” Despite Axelsson’s high penalty totals, Nill said he isn’t a hard-hitting physical force. The bulk of his penalty minutes resulted from misconducts, and discipline is something he needs to work on. The Red Wings are excited to see what Axelsson can do this coming season with Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League. Finding consistency will be imperative if Axelsson wants to make an impact. “With his skill, he’s got to learn to play every shift,” said Nill. “Some games, when he was going, he was unstoppable. Then we’d see three or four shifts where he wouldn’t do much. A lot of it’s maturity.” Larsson, a 6-foot, 170-pound goaltender, had an oustanding campaign with Hammarby at Sweden’s second level. His statistics — a 2.67 goals-against average and .917 save percentage — ranked among the league leaders. He also posted sparkling numbers as Sweden’s starter at the world junior championship at Christmas. “He plays big in the net, stands up well, challenges shooters well, has the athletic ability and is very composed,” said Nill. “Now, it’s just learning the game, learning the shooters, maturing.” Nill added that Larsson is a more technical than fellow Red Wings prospect Stefan Liv, an unorthodox stopper known for highlight-reel saves. Larsson will join Axelsson with Djurgarden in the Swedish Elite League this fall. The Red Wings expect good things. “He’s got to take the next step up,” said Nill. NOTE: This is the second in a series of articles on the Red Wings' newest draft picks. Articles will appear daily. See also: Matthew Wuest is a freelance hockey writer. You can contact him by email at wuest@redwingscentral.com. |
|