RealGM

Prolly the most underrated prospect in the system. Was a beast last season at Vermont and was nominated for the hobey baker award. Hes big, strong and prolly his biggest asset is his skating and speed. I dont usually get that excited about many of the prospects we have drafted in the past years (Tlusty,Stajan, Coliacovo, Steen etc) but Stalberg could really be a steal. I think he has a legit chance to make the opening day roster. Not too many 6'3 210 pound prospects that have awesome agility and skating ability and Burke has even been quoted in saying Stalberg might have the highest upside of any of the prospects we have outside the NHL. Heres a few clips-


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3OdDFJuFgM&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2VndJaCfs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqeaFVL2 ... re=related

Heres what Dallis Eakins had to say about Stalberg

"Yeah, he has a great skillset. The great thing about Viktor Stalberg is - for me - when he steps on the ice, immediately you see a hockey player. He looks like a hockey player, he carries himself. He's got good size, he's still growing - he's like 6'3", 210. Excellent skater, he has a great skillset with his hands and his eyes. His challenge in the past is his consistency, and it's improved. Kevin Sneddon in Vermont has done an excellent job with this player. He's earned his contract, and now he's going to have to earn his way into the pro ranks.

[on his defensive play]
Yeah, he's good. He knows where he's supposed to be. There are some things he's going to have to change a little bit - keeping his stick down on the ice, things we harp on a lot here in Toronto. And the other thing is, he wasn't playing in Vermont to play defense, he was there to score, so some of the chances that he took at school aren't chances he'll take here. But this kid's skating is great, and that's hard to teach.

And the other thing about Viktor, he's a really intelligent kid. He's book smart and street smart, so that goes a long way when you're trying to develop a player"

Great thread, I don't know that much about him personally, but he definitely has to be considered in and amongst our top forward prospects. The size and speed combination is just music to my ears.

Not really suprised that Stalberg has had a fantastic camp. Kid has elite NHL speed and size. If he can work on his puck skills a bit he will be a very good player in this league.

Looks like a poor mans Gaborik out there.

If tonight's performance didn't guarantee this kid a spot on the top 2 lines then I don't know what will. He's been our best forward throughout the preseason.

Stalberg was a beast on the ice tonight against Detroit. 2 goals, one assists and had one of the nicer end to end rush's you'll see to end the game and put the puck on a platter for Bozak. This kids upside is enormous. 6'3, 210 pounds and is easily one of the better skaters right today in the league. If he can improve his stickhandling and hockey sense a little, hes going to be a special player.

Marian Gaborik lite.

Heres a video of Stalbergs play last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBMZAUB5 ... r_embedded

Scores the winner tonight.

5 goals in the preseason. Leads the NHL in goalscoring so far.

Another goal and assist in the last preseason game tonight. He's looked awesome in preseason. I think the lines will end up being:

Hagman Stajan Blake
Kulemin Grabovski Ponikorovsky
Stalberg Mitchell Stempniak
Orr Primeau Mayers
Wallin

Kaberle Komisarek
Beauchemin Schenn
Exelby White
Finger Van Ryn

I'd love to give Bozak a spot on the roster especially to keep the chemistry with Stalberg but I don't see any room for him. He'd be the first call up for sure though. Does anyone know what's going on with Van Ryn and Finger? I know Van Ryn was injured but why hasn't Finger played in the last few preseason games?

I'm really excited about this kid at this point and he should have solidified his spot on the roster. It's unfortunate, but I don't see Bozak staying up with the big club. Not sure as to why Finger hasn't played the last few games, and just on a side note since there isn't much of a point starting so many threads; Frogren has been placed on waivers. He likely won't be picked up right now, but if the Leafs put him on re-entry I can see him being snapped up. I would love him on the Marlies or as a depth d-man, he's tough as nails. Also, Robbie Schremp has been put on waivers by Edmonton (which likely doesn't mean much for the Leafs), just insane to see this kid as a potential huge piece in a trade to being put on waivers. I would love for him to get a shot somewhere and I wish that place was Toronto, but we really have a huge excess of bottom 6 forwards, and I can't see us giving him a shot in the top 6.

i love this kid.i dropped kris versteeg in my fantasy l for him once i saw he cracked the top 2 lines.STALBERG BABY!

I'm interested in seeing if this Stalberg guy is the real deal. The hype machine is in full force as always, and to be honest, I don't always buy it even from non-Toronto based "experts". For example, I'm STILL not sure Luke Schenn is going to be some elite defenceman some day like some people claim he will be.

We've never really had a young prospect who could legitimately considered a possible elite-level scorer some day.

LLJ wrote:I'm interested in seeing if this Stalberg guy is the real deal. The hype machine is in full force as always, and to be honest, I don't always buy it even from non-Toronto based "experts". For example, I'm STILL not sure Luke Schenn is going to be some elite defenceman some day like some people claim he will be.
We've never really had a young prospect who could legitimately considered a possible elite-level scorer some day.

I'm not convinced of it either. He's going to have to turn into one of the best shutdown defencemen in the game (regehr, foote type) to justify his draft position. I think he has the potential to but im still not 100% sold on it happening. The Stalberg hype shouldnt just be based on his spectacular preseason but also on his skillset. Its not very often you find a kid with his kind of size that skates nearly as well as him, has that kind of agility and can handle and rifle a puck. It makes me alot more confident that hes the real deal when someone like Bob Mckenzie sings his praise's and says hes the real deal and even goes as far to say he could see him being a strong competitor for the rookie of the year. The good thing about Stalberg, is that if he busts as a top 1-2 line player he has the size, strength and skillset to be a very effective role player, althought I think he turns out to be something similar in production to Detroits Johan Franzen.

All the early indications point to Schenn being every bit a shutdown defender. The guy played big mins at 18 and looked real impressive!

If he continues to develop and gets stronger I don't see why he wouldn't blossom into a Stevens-type defender. Scott Stevens circa St. Louis Blues.

Dennis P wrote:All the early indications point to Schenn being every bit a shutdown defender. The guy played big mins at 18 and looked real impressive!

If he continues to develop and gets stronger I don't see why he wouldn't blossom into a Stevens-type defender. Scott Stevens circa St. Louis Blues.

Scott Stevens was a vastly superior offensive player then Schenn. That one season he played for the Blues he put up 49 pts in 78 games. Then following that he put up consecutive seasons of 59pts, 57pts and then 78pts. He has acclisped the 50+ point mark 8 times in his career. Schenn will almost certainly never hit the 50 point mark once in his career. You're looking at a 25-30 point player in Schenn anaually. Stevens natural skills of skating, speed and ability to move the puck were on another level to what Schenn has.

If everything pans out, You're looking at something similar to Robyn Regehr. If he doesnt reach his max potential you could be looking at a better version of Willie Mitchell.