Defenseman Victor Hedman, the next Lidstrom?

[Shutemdown 23]

Alright, so I just read this article, mainly referring to the best players ever from each country.

They called Lidstrom the best Swedish player of all time.

About halfway through the article, though, they mention a guy named Victor Hedman. Has anybody heard of him? Here's the clip from the article:

"Sweden: Nicklas Lidstrom is the current titleholder. You can toss in some votes for Borje Salming, but at The Hockey News we’ve already crowned Lidstrom the best European ever and the arguments that he is the second-best defenseman ever get stronger every year. But there is a competitor rising in the near future. Behemoth defenseman Victor Hedman hasn’t even been drafted yet, but big things are expected. And just to give you a taste of things to come, Steven Stamkos once told me Hedman plays like Lidstrom – except one of them is 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds."

Has anyone heard of him? Sounds... interesting.

[RyanBarnes! 293]

Yes, he played for Team Sweden during the WJCH. At the time I believe he was three years younger than most players (17 yrs). He is draft eligable next year and from what I have heard he is a lock to go top two.

[Swede40 0]

He just started playing defense so he's still raw but they call him the Swedish Pronger.

[Guest mindfly]

He's more of a physical force than lidstrom, and not as smart.. so no bad to compare those two.

[Shaman 713]

I filed this under bulls*** until proven otherwise, and personally i hate all the 'hes the next x player' there will never be another great one, never be another Yzerman, never be another bobby Orr, etc, they are once in a life time players and to compare people to them is just retarded, but thats just me.

[Shutemdown 23]

I filed this under bulls*** until proven otherwise, and personally i hate all the 'hes the next x player' there will never be another great one, never be another Yzerman, never be another bobby Orr, etc, they are once in a life time players and to compare people to them is just retarded, but thats just me.

The actual source of this comparison was an article I posted in another thread. They started off saying that Lidstrom is arguably the best Swedish player to ever play the game.

Later in the article, they have a small quote from Steve Stamkos where he talks about this guy and that, although he's never personally played against Lidstrom, he shares a similar style with him. That being said, the article goes on to detail that this guy is still only a prospect, but boasts a 6'5", 215lb. frame. I'll have to pull up a profile on this guy...

It's kind of the same comparison as (I think it was) Cory Emmerton being compared to a young Joe Thornton, as he has a wider skating stance and great hockey sense.

All of this being said, it's very true... there will never be another Stevie Y. or St. Nik... many that come close, but still falling short.

Edited August 13, 2008 by Shutemdown

[Shaman 713]

The actual source of this comparison was an article I posted in another thread. They started off saying that Lidstrom is arguably the best Swedish player to ever play the game.

Later in the article, they have a small quote from Steve Stamkos where he talks about this guy and that, although he's never personally played against Lidstrom, he shares a similar style with him. That being said, the article goes on to detail that this guy is still only a prospect, but boasts a 6'5", 215lb. frame. I'll have to pull up a profile on this guy...

It's kind of the same comparison as (I think it was) Cory Emmerton being compared to a young Joe Thornton, as he has a wider skating stance and great hockey sense.

All of this being said, it's very true... there will never be another Stevie Y. or St. Nik... many that come close, but still falling short.

I am aware of the article and have read it, I doubt Stamkos will be saying that its like playing against Lids after he sees lids on the ice across from him. General rule 75% of hockey commentators know very little about hockey the other 25% know nothing.

[Systemfel 33]

He just started playing defense so he's still raw but they call him the Swedish Pronger.

No, pretty sure he's a been a D since he started playing hockey.

I would call Hedman (who's actually closer to 6'7" than 6'5") a Brian Leetch-Chris Pronger cross.

Edited August 14, 2008 by Systemfel

[Shutemdown 23]

Just a couple of quotes about this guy I've seen floating around the league...

"This guy is a 6'5, 16 year old defencemen playing for MoDo in the Swedish Elite League playing top minutes..THN listed him as one of the "intriguing" players in Europe this year with Brunnstrom, Kulemin, Morozov and Markov..

he was playing a regular shift with MoDo until he sustained a concussion recently..scouts say he is like a European Pronger but better. He is thought to be the only player who might contest Tavares for the #1 overall selection in 2009."

"6'5 at age 16, he's only gonna get bigger.

Skates like Kaberle too..."

"I dont know about CHL but you are right about Victor Hedman. He is dominating the Swedish national team for 18 year olds and is playing for MODO in the J20 championships (with 20 year olds) at the age of 16. His older brother Oscar Hedman is drafted by Washington Capitals and has made a great season and I expect him to get picked up probably next year.

Victor will probably need a few more years to develope but I am quite sure he will be one of our best defencemen in the future, if he just continues to develop. He is ranked as one of Swedens most promising players, if not even the highest ranked. But as I said, he has got a lot more years before we can tell how good he's really gonna be."

Looks alot like Bertuzzi, doesn't he...? Could just be me...

[swiss_fan 3]

can someone tell me how much is 6'5 in meters ? what s the unity used here? looks like stupi question but is not..

[germanwing 154]

can someone tell me how much is 6'5 in meters ? what s the unity used here? looks like stupi question but is not..

1,98 m

[Booster313 138]

On a side note...Do the Wings have the defensive core in place long term to fill the hole that we'll have when Lidstrom finally does retire?

[Swede40 0]

I think they will when he's ready to retire. Right now they don't. I could see Lidstrom playing 5 more years.

[theswede 0]

Hes more like the next big Swedish D-man then the "next Lidström". I've seen him in at least 10 games and i cant say he ever reminded me of Lidström, the Pronger/Leetch crossover is more fitting thou. But we will probably have to wait a few years to see what he turns into, but i would be extremly suprised if he turned into anything less then a NHL-regular. As a D-man you usually need more time to be ready for the leap to the NHL but with this guys physical play he might be an early bloomer even at highest level.

[Uncle Danny 155]

Interesting comparison that they've made here. 6'5", but plays like Lidstrom? The only advantage I could see there would be the reach on his poke check, and if he played anything like Nick, that would seem a waste of his size. I mean, if you're that big, why NOT throw the body around and intimidate some? A player with a frame that size should look to Chara or Pronger for inspiration first, Nick second.

Of course, I admittedly say all of this without having seen a nanosecond of the kid on the ice.

[skippy_kenn 0]

He just started playing defense so he's still raw but they call him the Swedish Pronger.

So he is a an a-hole that dishes out the rough stuff, but cries when it is enacted upon him with an accent

[ruarc' 2]

Steven Stamkos once told me Hedman plays like Lidstrom

HA!

How can Stamkos legitimately make this claim?

[Guest mindfly]

He's 6'6 even, 1.98m

[Systemfel 33]

Don't you people read? Hedman does not play like Pronger or Lidström.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Oh great that's what we just needed ... A mix of Bertuzzi, Chara, Pronger and Lidstrom ... What kind of imoral human being would make such a creature !!!

[diehardredwing19 11]

getter done kenny!!!! or hakan anderson!

[RWK23 0]

getter done kenny!!!! or hakan anderson!

If Kenny has the opportunity to draft this kid, there will be a lot of pissed off Red Wing fans in here. This kid is a top-two pick.

[BeeRYCE 2]

When most predict Hedman to go ahead of somebody like Tavares in this year's draft, I think he's something special. Another d-man everybody should watch... RYAN ELLIS. The kid's small, but has a booming shot, and plays a similar game to Scott Niedermayer. They predict him 7th overall this draft.

[Esquire 324]

I'll give you all a personal report on Hedman after the game.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I'll give you all a personal report on Hedman after the game.

You jerk!

WJC hockey is great hockey, I want to see it live so badly! Oh have fun watching Taylor Hall too, this kid is special... and yes, he'll make the team.