Ryno, Ritola, Axelsson

[EstonianWingsFan#1 0]

Well I don't know how many of you have had the possibility to check out our fresh swedish prospects in action. I'll be watching Finland - Sweden WJC clash in a couple of hours, later on I'll post what I saw. Right now it seems they are doing great, Ryno has 1+3, Ritola 2+2 and Axelsson 1+0 in 4 games.

It seems these guys will definitely play some part in Red Wings future if everything goes well.

And I want to see Ryno!!! It probably won't be a problem to notice him on the ice

[J-Swift 0]

Yeah, I'm watching too. And I think the Czech team will be on later, so I'll get a decent look at Kindl too.

[norrisnick 1]

Sweden throws everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink at Tuukka Rask and he stones them. 53 shots including a POST in OT (by Ryno) and the Finns score less than two minutes later on a PP. Finns win 1-0 in OT after being outshot 53-25.

The poor Swedes find newer and more gutwrenching ways to lose in international competition every year.

peace

[EstonianWingsFan#1 0]

Damn, Tuukka Rask had to face a serious amout of shots. It's also crazy that all the players were throwing the body around, it seems it isn't only in North America anymore. European players want to be ready for NHL already during their draft-years, not to start adjusting to physical game when they get there.

[GuloGulo 0]

Weeeell... WJC is hardly noticed in Sweden. The last time we cared about it was in the days of Fops youth, which is about the last time we had any success. Thankfully we churn out a few players who turn out quite apt regardless of WJC:s.

Quite ironic that Finnish hockey seems to have turned out to be one man shows lately (read goalie)

[J-Swift 0]

It figures. Ryno gets tripped up at the side of the net (and hits the post as NN mentions) and then a Swede trips up a Finn in the exact same manner and finds himself in the penalty box for the OT winning goal. Anyways, here's my take on the three Swedish Red Wing prospects:

Johan Ryno was the guy I was keeping the closest eye on. I've heard lots about him and was excited to finally see him play. I had the impression going into the game that he was a big softie, but he really isn't. He finishes his checks and was involved with the fore-check late in the game. Though in the first and second periods, he was a little unnoticeable, as he wasn't really involved in any special teams play. In the third and OT periods, however, he was using his size effectively and was working the puck in the corners. On his last shift of the game, he was dynamite, getting a great scoring chance and not letting the Finn defenders get control of the puck. His skating was admirable for such a big guy, but he doesn't have real break-away speed. Johan's reach was giving the Finnish troubles late in the game, but he could definitely spare to put on some more weight. That way I think he could keep his feet better when he heads into traffic. Ryno showed some hustle back-checking and played the puck smartly in the neutral zone.

Anton Axelsson was probably the best of the three prospects tonight. He was certainly the most physical anyway. Anton was hammering Finnish defenders all night as they tried to move the puck out of the zone (like Kirk Maltby does), and on top of that, he received major time on the PP. He had some great chances and was standing in front of the net and trying to make plays happen along the boards. He did get an empty net opportunity at one point, but was hammered down from behind, and the puck rolled wide. Anton seems to know how to get open, but his finishing skills were a little suspect, so I really don't see him being any more than a checking-line player.

Mattias Ritola showed some definite promise tonight. For a guy who's been labelled lazy, he actually did some fine work in the corners. He didn't pull off any big dekes, but he seemed kinda tricky and smart with his stickwork in the offensive zone. Mattias was quite good at taking the puck in the corner or near the boards and centering it out front. The Swedes never got great chances from this centering pass of his, but he was still noticeable out there. Even Ritola got involved in the physical play, though not much, I saw him throw a check near the boards that didn't really connect, but he was involved in the fore-check. Like Ryno, however, he did not see much time on the PP or PK.

All in all, I think Ritola, Ryno, and Axelsson are actually half-decent prospects. I don't see real top-line material in any of them, but Ryno and Ritola do have the offensive flair of a second-line player, and Axelsson could make a strong third-line checker sometime in the future. These guys still need work, though, as it was blatantly obvious that Backstrom and Bergfors were the offensive stars on this team and were the ones having the most impact out there. Those two played like half the game.

[EstonianWingsFan#1 0]

It's like our favourite scout Hakan told how he is evaluating prospects. It isn't always about scoring or skills, he is looking for young guys who are passionate about getting better and working their asses off. And there is some kind of truth in it. If you work hard for it, you'll get it. The all are going to be good players if there wont be some weird injuries (Grigorenko) or too quick transition to the top leagues (Löfberg), Anton Axelsson is said to be better player in the future than his brother Per-Johan from Boston. His overall game offensively and defensively is improving better and faster.

They were pretty good, when good players are on their regular teams, they have their certain roles and teammates. In tournaments it's all about whom you play with and how do you adapt yourself to others. Wouldn't it be great to play on a wing in a line with playmaker Joe Thornton?? And look at Glen Murray now.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Ryno had the best game imo. Axelsson stood in front of the net a couple of times. Ritola was hardly noticable. I spotted Kenny Holland in the stands. He'll probably end up drafting the whole team now.

[Satrebil 0]

I spotted Kenny Holland in the stands. He'll probably end up drafting the whole team now.

If only he could! That would be great.

[FunkyBlueFish203 0]

Ryno had the best game imo. Axelsson stood in front of the net a couple of times. Ritola was hardly noticable. I spotted Kenny Holland in the stands. He'll probably end up drafting the whole team now.

Ken Holland was at the Czech-US game as well, along with Phoenix GM, Michael Barnett who was probably wondering why his draft pick [Martin Hanzal] rode the bench the entire game. Kevin Lowe was also present, probably checking out the prospects while keeping an eye on Robbie Schremp.

Kindl looked okay. Mixed it up and helped push some plays along but also had a couple of bad giveaways. Michael Frolik was tremendous in the numerous opportunities he created. He is 2006 draft eligible along with Kessel and Erik Johnson.

TJ Oshie was the guy who impressed me the most. His constant hustle towards the puck and ability to keep going is ridiculous. This kid is the freakin' energizer bunny for Team USA. No hesitation in blocking shots, no hesitation in giving up his body, and absolutely no fear in going up against anyone. Way to go kid! Too bad he's in the Blues system.

[J-Swift 0]

Ryno had the best game imo. Axelsson stood in front of the net a couple of times. Ritola was hardly noticable. I spotted Kenny Holland in the stands. He'll probably end up drafting the whole team now.

Johan Ryno definitely turned it up in the late stages of the game. You could see the kind of reach he had when he wrapped the puck around Rask at the side of the net, and ringed it off the post. I thought Axelsson played well, though. Sweden was trying to establish a fore-check, and Anton was taking Finn defenders into the boards. He had a couple decent chances, and was awfully persistent. I think I was a little more impressed with Ritola than you were, but he kinda disappeared in the third period as well as in the OT. He did some decent work in the first, though, when the Swedes were all over Finland.

Yeah, Ken Holland was in the stands, as was Jim Nill apparently. Pierre McGuire (sp?) was gushing over the Wings' scouting staff. They were saying that Ryno projected to be a "really big Holmstrom", but IMO, Ryno is a better skater and seems to work better in the corners and along the boards than he does in front of the net.

[FunkyBlueFish203 0]

Ryno scored today as Sweden beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in the 5th place game at the WJC. Kindl had an assist on the lone Czech goal.