Rutherford Pleased with Draft so far - Mattias Lindstrom Taken in Third - Updates

by Bob Wage on Jun 27, 2009 11:42 AM EDT

The Carolina Hurricanes drafted more size in the third round when they selected Mattias Lindstrom of Sweden. Lindstrom is listed as a 6'4" forward and Carolina's general manager says that he is a "huge, scary player." Hockey's Future has this to say about the prospect.

Lindström is a huge and strong two-way player. He likes to play physical and throws his body around with good timing. Does a lot of dirty work along the boards and in the corners. Hockey sense and puck skills are not great, but at least average and a bit underrated. Takes care of his defensive responsibilities and can chip in offensively at times, although it is his physical play and team play that makes him a valuable.

Jim Rutherford was asked by the press about the emphasis on size this year and the GM replied that the team felt the need to compliment the skilled players on the team with some bigger counterparts. They have intentionally been looking for a certain type of player in this year's draft and feel like they have been very successful so far in achieving their goals. Rutherford also stated that they were not anticipating making any trades or moving up or down during the remainder of the draft.

UPDATE- Matt Kennedy taken in fifth round. The 6'2" right winger was captain of the Guelph Storm this year and had 33 goals along with 40 assists in 67 games this past season.

UPDATE 2- Rasmus Rissanen taken in the sixth. A 6'2" defenseman from Finland, Rissanen is one of the more physical blueliners in Finland. Hockey's Future says that he must improve his speed, but his size and strength are attributes.

UPDATE 3 - Tommi Kivisto taken with their final pick. A 6'1" defenseman from Finland who played in Red Deer last season. He also plays on the blueline for Team Finland's U-18 and U-20 teams.

We will have a summary of the draft and more analysis a bit later.

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Comments

Not the Swede I was hoping for, but I’ll keep an open mind.

I can’t believe you’re still at it Cory. Have you recovered from Paradis in the Canes jersey last night?

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 27, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Cory is finally taking a break…L people can’t tell us apart I guess.

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Jun 27, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry. Hadn’t had my coffee yet. Missed the byline. Glad he’s catching his breath. If last night was his Christmas is today Boxing Day?

Who got Drew Shore?

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 27, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

Some of the other players we were looking at went earlier in the second-

Shore- Florida
Budish – Nashville
Morin – Atlanta
Ferraro – Detroit

GM of CanesCountry.com

by Bob Wage on Jun 27, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks – I couldn’t find it on NHL.com.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 27, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Two more Finns?! Hakkaa Paalle!

Isnt’ that interesting? I look forward hearing what the overall impression is – and how we came to scout these guys.

Maybe Cory (or MichaelProcton) can make us a chart comparing these guys average and median height, weight and BMI. Sounds like we got a bunch of big’uns. Maybe then we can go on to compare them to who’s on the team now, and all Carolina draft classes since the lockout. Just a thought. (We have the geekiest group of Caniac posters don’t we? – I just luv it!)

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 27, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

Not a complete statistical comparison, but per the nhl_canes tweet I received earlier… “All six Canes draft picks are taller than 6’1”. Average size: 6’2", 197 pounds."

by Jamie Kellner on Jun 27, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Size Matters

Thanks. This twitter thing is exploding. Guess I need to figure it out.

Another statistical “coincidence”:

Average size: 6’2", 197 pounds

and these guys will likely be about the same as Erik Cole (6-2, 205) or Dennis Seidenburg (6-2, 210). SInce they’re mostly till teenagers (gasp), you know they’ll be “filling out”.

Just trying to get a sense of how they’d look on the ice (hopefully in the next 5 years….a ways off). Sounds like Boychuk will have some protection.

FWIW, Ruutu is listed at 6-0, 200; Jokinen 5-11, 190; Pitkanen 6-3, 200.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 27, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Age and NHL ready

Bubba or Cory when you post your final analysis of our draft picks, can you post the players age and predictions of when they will be NHL ready? Thanks.

by c59 on Jun 27, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

In ascending order of age

Dumolin: 17
Rissanen: 17
Kivisto: 18
Lindstrom: 18
Paradis: 18
Kennedy: 20

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 27, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks MP for the info on the ages.

Well it sounds like Kennedy will be in Albany this next season and could be called up if needed, if he proves he’s worthy. From what I undersand it was his 3rd trip to the drafts before being picked yesterday. Hopefully he will prove he’s worthy like LaRose did over the next couple of years.

As far as the other kids, we won’t be seeing them for 3-4 years to come and we’ll all be saying “who’s Dumolin”.

I’m the most excited about Lindstrom just because of his size and a little jump on the age, maybe we will see him in a couple of years.

Of course, a lot of these players get picked and then traded with other players for a big deal in the years to come, who knows who we will end up with. Hopefully JR will keep the defensive guys around.

by c59 on Jun 28, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions