REVS 2013 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS #9.Elias Lindholm

#9. Elias Lindholm

At 6'0 and 192 lbs Elias is already in a man's body and having played with the men, comes more well rounded some some of the other players who have only competed at the Jr ranks. Considered to be more of a complete player due to good work in all zones of the rink, Elias stands a good chance to be drafted even higher then my ranking should the right 'fit' be there. Maybe the Winnipeg Jets? Don't laugh, he is the type of player they are drafting. Even Ottawa could be a good bet, however if they keep their winning ways, Elias will be long gone before they even step up to the podium. Could Columbus be a fit? Even though it is likely a possibility he is available to our Oilers, I highly doubt the Edmonton Oilers take another player like this.

It is difficult to find a player who plays such a complete game at just 17 years old like Lindholm. With the ability to create offense in a small window of opportunity and to be a force without the puck  will likely mean Elias comes out  a very high 1^st round draft pick if he can keep up his development this season.

Tough to stop when he has the puck, strong, makes very quick decisions and catches other teams off guard. An excellent playmaker who can find his teammates for very good scoring chances are one of his strengths. 

Elias is able to get into the right areas and anticipate where the puck is going to be. In order to see himself picked high, he will have to make some improvements in his goal scoring abilities. He needs to improve his shots and be a threat to score on the rush and not just with his passes. 

Defensemen in the NHL would be able to pick up his tendency to pass and cheat a little, and to keep them guessing, he will need to score more often. Defensively, it will be difficult to find another forward who plays as hard in his own zone. A physically strong player,  he consistently gets inside positioning on an opponent and takes away the puck. Because he reads the play so well, and other teams have a difficult time in the offensive zone when he is on the ice. Very good at intercepting passes, he usually gets the play going the other way for his team.

"He's a complete package," Stubb told NHL.com. "He could very well be the next Peter Forsberg. He's an excellent skater and great competitor who gives it 110 percent on every shift. He can skate, score and pass and is physically strong even though he is a finesse-type of player. Lindholm's father, Mikael, was drafted by theLos Angeles Kings in the 12th round (No. 237) in 1987. He's also the cousin of Detroit Red Wings prospect Calle Jarnkrok, who was drafted in the second round (No. 51) in 2010.

	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-		GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-
	Regular Season							Postseason
Elitserien:	52	7	17	24	0.46	2	-4	|	2	0	0	0	0.00	0	0
ET:	3	0	1	1	0.33	0	0	|
International-Jr:	42	12	21	33	0.79	45	13	|
J18 Allsvenskan:	25	9	22	31	1.24	16	2	|	7	4	5	9	1.29	29	3
J18 Elit:	28	13	34	47	1.68	16	3	|
Rikspucken:	6	2	4	6	1.00	0	-	|
SuperElit:	38	14	35	49	1.29	45	24	|	4	1	2	3	0.75	16	0
TV-Pucken:	8	7	6	13	1.63	0	-	|
U16 SM:	6	2	11	13	2.17	0	-	|
WJAC-19:	4	0	0	0	0.00	0	0	|
WJC-18:	4	2	1	3	0.75	2	0	|
WJC-20:	6	2	2	4	0.67	4	-1	|

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to www.twitter.com/revingev