Draft Prospect Profile: Mattias Samuelsson

  

Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.

Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 30th-ranked prospect, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.

Mattias Samuelsson
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: March 14, 2000
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, PA
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 217 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: D

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 21
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 17

NHL Comparable: Niklas Hjalmarsson

Hockey runs in Mattias Samuelsson’s blood. His father, Kjell, was a 14-year NHL veteran defenseman who played for the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1992 and 1993.

Mattias is a prototypical defensive defenseman who uses his size and physicality to deter the opposition. He is regarded as one of the most difficult defenders to play against in this year’s draft class. He uses his hockey sense and footwork to close gaps and transition the puck to his forwards.

Samuelsson’s physicality is perhaps his greatest asset, as he regularly uses his large frame to separate opposing players from the puck. Despite racking up 107 penalty minutes this season, Samuelsson does not go out of his way to make a big hit, often times relying on his strong positioning instead. This discipline allows his team to effectively transition from defense to offense instead of needing to cover for him in the case of an ill-advised hit.

While not known as an offensive defenseman, Samuelsson recorded nine goals and 19 assists this season, including three power play tallies, which was an uptick from his 2016–17 totals of six goals and 10 assists with the USA U-17 team. His lack of offense does not make him stand out nearly as much as the other top-end defensemen in this year’s draft class, which will likely keep him from being picked in the first half of the first round.

Samuelsson also possesses strong leadership characteristics, serving as his team’s captain this season.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Samuelsson’s style resembles that of former fan favorite Niklas Hjalmarsson in some ways. You generally know what you are going to get with this type of defenseman: sound defense, physicality and the ability to munch valuable minutes in the most important games of the season, albeit with very limited offensive contributions. Samuelsson’s leadership also provides another enticing attribute. Additionally, the Blackhawks have frequented the NTDP in recent drafts, so seeing them target Samuelsson at 27th overall is not difficult to envision at all, especially if they draft either a more offensive-minded defenseman or a forward with the eighth overall pick. Samuelsson is the type of reliable defender head coach Joel Quenneville does not mind having around. Samuelsson would be a nice addition to the defensive prospects the Hawks already have in Gustav Forsling, Henri Jokiharju, Ian Mitchell, Chad Krys and Blake Hillman.

Timeline
Samuelsson will be attending Western Michigan beginning in the fall, where he will likely play for at least three years alongside his brother, Lukas. Do not expect to see him in an NHL arena near you until 2021–22 at the earliest.

Projection
As his game is currently focused heavily on defense, Samuelsson should slot in as a long-term number four defender with the ability to log around 20 minutes per night for whoever selects him. If he is able to improve his offensive game, he could develop into a number three defenseman, perhaps in the mold of Adam Larsson or even long-time Blackhawk Brent Seabrook during the Hawks’ glory years.

What others are saying
“Mattias Samuelsson is going to be a top-three defenceman on some NHL team for the next 15-plus years. He’s going to eat minutes, he’s going to help you win and he’s going to be miserable to play against.”
Seth Appert/U.S. National Team Development Program

“There’s lots of room in the game for someone who is adept on the defensive side of the puck, with leadership capabilities and unearthed offensive upside.”
Sam Cosentino/Sportsnet

“He skates well considering how big he is – at nearly 220 pounds – and doesn’t take a shift off from defending his own end. He’s able to use his strength in puck battles and does a good job blocking out opposing players in one-on-one battles. … While he might not be the top defenceman in the draft, (his) ability in the defensive end could be an asset that a number of teams target as the first round comes to an end. That said, if he does slip to the early part of the second round, one team could get very lucky with Samuelsson.”
Andrew Forbes/The Hockey Writers

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Center Ice Forums Draft Prospect Profile: Mattias Samuelsson

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #7158
    Eric Andrews
    Moderator

    Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects avail
    [To continue reading full article, click here: Draft Prospect Profile: Mattias Samuelsson]

    #7163
    Jeff Osborn
    Keymaster

    Great stuff Eric!

    #7166
    Under Qs moustache
    Participant

    nice write up. if this kid has some wheels and can think the game he’d be a nice late first round pick up for the Hawks.

    #7174

    Here is my evaluation on him:

     

    Big reliable defender who makes his money with simple up-ice plays and a very good job defending in his own end. This is a very large man child who is still growing. His skating is good, his balance is good and he gets plenty of power behind his point shot on the power play. His growing into his game and no one can predict the faint upside as he may be a very large man. Understands what a big defender must do and continues to comply. The son of former Flyer 6’ 7 “ Kjell Samuelsson, is committed to the University of Western Michigan.A big boy who plays big. I think he is off the board before the Hawks second pick.

    #7175

    This a reply I meant to post concerning Ryan Merkely:

    The name Ryan Merkley seems to be sliding rapidly down the NHL draft boards, and the immaturity of the seventeen year old is the main reason. Over the course of the past two seasons, there have been off ice issues and locker room issues with teammates and lack of mouth control to coaches and referees. Let me say I don’t think that he wants to lose, and that’s part of the issue. but teams are now less willing to spent high choices on prospects unless they feel there is significant comfort zone that the youngster is going to round into a team first guy and one who is coachable and team oriented. There is no doubt that he is an outstanding push defenseman with dynamic speed and agility, high end puck skills and a keen hockey IQ that lets him highlight his offensive gifts. A wild colt that doesn’t hesitate to take on entrance into the attack zone where he somewhat ignores his linemates, confident he can stickhandle and flash though to start the attack zone looks. Part of his bronco-like behaviors spills out with an attitude that rubs many the wrong way. He has really good vision and is an offensive leader with his carries, passes, and lateral movements to create space in the offensive zone. Has little trouble seeing that open man at the other blue line and can thread the needle with hthe breakaway pass to that player. He is physically strong and aggressive. Really good puck distributer in the attackzone. Another of the valuable right-handed shooting defenders teams covet. The downside is (as is with so many of the undersized fast and skilled attacking defenseman) he is a liability as defenseman, pure and simple. It’s not so much that the riverboat gambler mentality is the cause of his defensive shortcomings either. He doesn’t seem to unstained coverage or read the attacking teams and puts himself in many situations were he has to play undisciplined and garnishes unwanted penalties. In the OHL playoff, he lost his cool after taking a second penalty, the first of which resulted in a goal, and then argued the se on two minutes into an addition ten by arguing with ref, and not entering the penalty box. The scouting staff of team drafting in that third tier range will have to watch tons of tape and decide if the good outweighs the bad and you can teach defense whereas you cannot teach the high end skills he possesses. Can he in fact grow into a take control of game attacker with an cool presence and team oriented sense of purpose? I am sure the team that selects him will have a scheme to protect him in his end, and move forth from there. And feel comfortable that he eventually starts applying team building behaviors to his behaviors with others.

    #7176

    The fun thing about the Hawks first pick is so many of the teams in front of them may go defender, and maybe just maybe Wahlstrom drops to them. But there are climber who might get his name in the discussion, Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

    As the NHL draft draws closer a few players from the World Under -18 tournament, have certainly drawn new attention and praise, using their new positions and roles to elevate their game for the NHL scouting staffs.

    The most prominent has to be Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who played most of the season with Porin Ässät playing on the wing. In a draft year where the centre class is not filling the top tier as in most years, NHL staffs are busy attempting to ferret out the players who can and will eventually be able to become higher echelon centremen. The question was one surrounding Kotkaniemi:Is he your future power winger or your big centre? He can be such high end puck hander, be a tank-like aggressive force with his work in the crease area, or he can defend away from the puck, or be so strong on the puck, teams might project him as that big wing every team is looking for. But surely when he was finally elevated to first line centre in the U-18 Worlds, and he showed a high end potential ,and does that now project him as a forceful, physical future NHL centre?  The fact that he is very proficient in the face-off circle might have NHL scouting staffs figuring he should get ample chances to develop as a pivot. Strong on his skates in his possessions and very effective on the defensive side. Needs a step to get going and is straight line attacker, but is patient and sneaky with a good wrist shot, and the ability to gift-wrap pucks to teammates. The team that drafts him will be hopeful he continues to build leg strength and fill in fully. Lots to like about his vision and hockey smarts and upside.

    Back in February, I slotted Ty Dellandrea as a possible first rounder, going in the last first round spot at #31. After the Blackhawks second first round pick got better with ouster of the Predators by the Jets, I immediately lowered him into that slot 27, but then he went out and had an incredible World Under -18 tournament as a member of Team Canada. After being surrounded fly very ew quality complementary players for a couple seasons in Flint, he never stopped working continuing to work hard shift after shift to win. Suddenly he is asked by team Canada to play with several different sets of linemates, and clicked with each and every one of them! He displays excellent skill set and good size and giddy-up. Wins puck battles and is responsible in his own end. Has a strong two way game. Moves well with deceptive quickness. Has been stuck on Flint with no help for two seasons, and World Juniors Under-18 showed us anything, it was that quickly meshed with different line-mates, and outworked the opposition night after night. Grinds away whether it be keeping pucks alive on the offense, or with dogged forechecking to turn the puck over. Excellent vision and playmaking ability. A developing player who makes it easy for his wingers and is still blossoming as a scorer.

    Now I am not sure if he will be on the board when the Blackhawks pick.In the same way there will be close scrutiny applied to each and every under six foot defenseman in this class, expect those same NHL scouting staffs to have grounded opinions on the likes of these two, plus Joe Veleno and Barrett Hayton.

    #7177

    [quote quote=7174]Here is my evaluation on him: Big reliable defender who makes his money with simple up-ice plays and a very good job defending in his own end. This is a very large man child who is still growing. His skating is good, his balance is good and he gets plenty of power behind his point shot on the power play. His growing into his game and no one can predict the FULL upside as he may be a very large man. Understands what a big defender must do and continues to comply. The son of former Flyer 6’ 7 “ Kjell Samuelsson, is committed to the University of Western Michigan.A big boy who plays big. I think he is off the board before the Hawks second pick.

    [/quote]

    I am certain he is not as agile as Hammer was, and I am not sure anyone can go out on the limb and try in project him as even a top three guy yet…he simply is not as intense or involved in his own end as you like to see in big junior defenders…maybe it is because he is his team’s captain that he is more involved in the role as captain, that he is holding back on the compete level and I don’t see any mean. Heck, Dahlin has got some mean, Woo, has got some mean, even Evan Bouchard (London’s Captain) has higher involvement. This kid may go mid-round because of pro size and decent skills and feet, not sure he is on the board at #27.

    #7173

    [quote quote=7158]Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects avail[To continue reading full article, click here: Draft Prospect Profile: Mattias Samuelsson]

    [/quote]

    Big reliable defender who makes his money with simple up-ice plays and a very good job defending in his own end. This is a very large man child who is still growing. His skating is good, his balance is good and he gets plenty of power behind his point shot on the power play. His growing into his game and no one can predict the faint upside as he may be a very large man. Understands what a big defender must do and continues to comply. The son of former Flyer 6’ 7 “ Kjell Samuelsson, is committed to the University of Western Michigan.A big boy who plays big.

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