Adam Almqvist signed to 3 yr deal

[goalie1 0]

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2011/05/red_wings_sign_defenseman_adam.html

20 yrs old 5'11'' 174 lbs. Small blue liner in my opinion...

[Travis 576]

I look forward to seeing him in action.

[Nevermind 363]

http://www.mlive.com...seman_adam.html

20 yrs old 5'11'' 174 lbs. Small blue liner in my opinion...

I've heard this kid has OUTSTANDING hockey sense though. Also an excellent outlet passer.

He can still fill out in GR. In a few years, hopefully he can be a top-4 defenseman.

[dropkickshanahans 463]

I've had a good feeling about this kid since we've drafted him. Hope he improves over here.

[Systemfel 33]

Nope, Almqvist is staying in Sweden for at least one more season.

http://www.jnytt.se/nyhet/40542/adam-almqvist-helt-klar-for-detroit

"Yes, I will be staying here. I want to spend at least one more year in the SEL so I can bulk up. I need to get stronger, add a few pounds, I've been working really hard at that. Both me and the Wings want me to remain here so I can develop even further. Then we'll see if I'm ready to head over."

Btw, Almqvist's biggest problem isn't his lack of size, but rather his skating ability. Opposing forwards tend to catch up to him too easily, and put him under pressure. He's sort of like Hudler on D right now.

Edited May 27, 2011 by Systemfel

[weGotTheCup89 41]

Nope, Almqvist is staying in Sweden for at least one more season.

http://www.jnytt.se/nyhet/40542/adam-almqvist-helt-klar-for-detroit

"Yes, I will be staying here. I want to spend at least one more year in the SEL so I can bulk up. I need to get stronger, add a few pounds, I've been working really hard at that. Both me and the Wings want me to remain here so I can develop even further. Then we'll see if I'm ready to head over."

Btw, Almqvist's biggest problem isn't his lack of size, but rather his skating ability. Opposing forwards tend to catch up to him too easily, and put him under pressure. He's sort of like Hudler on D right now.

Regardless of where he's playing next season, it's exciting to see that he is considered so highly by the Red Wings front office. I saw the kid play against DIF last year in Stockholm and he looked very promising. I'm really hoping to see him succeed and land on the roster a few years down the road.

[Konnan511 1,736]

That MLive/Freep article is wrong, A2 will be in SEL next season for at least one more season there, if not two more years. Out of Pulu, IronHook and A2, I see A2 staying abroad the longest due to his resistance to bulking up per Hakan and Holland's requests.

Nope, Almqvist is staying in Sweden for at least one more season.

http://www.jnytt.se/...lar-for-detroit

"Yes, I will be staying here. I want to spend at least one more year in the SEL so I can bulk up. I need to get stronger, add a few pounds, I've been working really hard at that. Both me and the Wings want me to remain here so I can develop even further. Then we'll see if I'm ready to head over."

Btw, Almqvist's biggest problem isn't his lack of size, but rather his skating ability. Opposing forwards tend to catch up to him too easily, and put him under pressure. He's sort of like Hudler on D right now.

Except he actually knows how to play D

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Yeah if he was really coming over to the AHL then I fear he would get crushed in every game.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Yeah if he was really coming over to the AHL then I fear he would get crushed in every game.

Why? He's fairly shifty and smart about not getting hit. Rafalski made a living of not being big and being able to avoid hits. Even a slow Lidstrom used his hockey IQ to avoid hits as well. I wouldn't worry about his size, as I would about his first step and working on being able to rub people off in the corners.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 119]

Why? He's fairly shifty and smart about not getting hit. Rafalski made a living of not being big and being able to avoid hits. Even a slow Lidstrom used his hockey IQ to avoid hits as well. I wouldn't worry about his size, as I would about his first step and working on being able to rub people off in the corners.

I think It is a little early to judge his hockey sense. He has been playing Euro Hockey. (soft)

He will be a great addition no doubt. But saying that Raffy and Lids did well does not mean this kid will be the same way.

Comparing game styles to them as well is a bit premature. Let the Ink dry on the deal and let him get here before we decide to compare his style

to anyone but his own in the North American style of play.

Not to mention.....if we signed him to play for us next year!....he better be HERE next year! I think that is crap!

Edited May 28, 2011 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[Guest Heaten]

His size doesn't bother me. Lots of great hockey players are not big. In fact, there are more successful smaller hockey players than there are big hockey players. Size is nice, but extremely overrated.

[redwingfan19 293]

I could see Almqvist potentially being a Tobias Enstrom type. Very excited about this kid.

[RedWingsExpert1988 8]

I am excited to see this guy play but I would like to see more bigger and physical defense in Detroit next year. Bring some size in. WE DEF NEED IT.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I think It is a little early to judge his hockey sense. He has been playing Euro Hockey. (soft)

He will be a great addition no doubt. But saying that Raffy and Lids did well does not mean this kid will be the same way.

Comparing game styles to them as well is a bit premature. Let the Ink dry on the deal and let him get here before we decide to compare his style

to anyone but his own in the North American style of play.

Not to mention.....if we signed him to play for us next year!....he better be HERE next year! I think that is crap!

We signed him so we didn't lose his rights. I have no qualms with him spending one or two more years in the SEL.

Who cares if he plays in a "soft" league. He was a top 4 DMan on a championship team in one of the top tier leagues in the world that produces unbelievable hockey talent. And there's nothing wrong with comparing his style of play to other NHL players if you've seen him play and have followed him since his signing. Plus, saying he has a high hockey IQ (Hakan, whose word I'll take over yours and anyone elses) like other non-physical players in the league isn't the sme thing as saying "OMG, he's smart, so he'll be the exact same as him!!!"

[Konnan511 1,736]

Just some back ground on him:

2009-10: Almqvist skated in 15 games with HV71's junior team in Sweden and scored 5 goals, 29 assists for 34 points. He was called up to make his SEL debut and appeared in 28 games with HV71. Though he scored just 2 goals and 6 assists during the regular season, the blueliner stepped up during the squad's run to the Elitserien Championship with 1 goal, 10 assists in 16 playoff games. His 11 postseason points led all SEL defensemen. Almqvist also appeared in 4 games during the year with Sweden's U18 team, scoring 2 goals, 2 assists for 4 points.

Almqvist is a mobile defender with not a lot of size. His greatest asset is his hockey sense, which is said to be through the roof. He possesses a great deal of control with the puck and makes smart offensive decisions. As with many late-round picks, Almqvist is a high-risk, high-reward selection for Detroit.

The sky is the limit for Almqvist, as the Red Wings could have yet another seventh-round steal on their hands. He will play for the SEL’s HV-71 for the 2010-11 season.

An offensively skilled defenseman. Almqvist has top-notch hockey sense and passing ability. Has the ability to turn the game quickly with long and distinct passes. Puts up a lot of points from the blueline, where his set-up ability comes in handy.

Although being undersized, he likes to play the body at times.

[under_par_00 45]

Almqvist seems like the Wings' late round euro version of Ryan Ellis.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Kronwall v2?

[Hockeytown_Ryan 119]

We signed him so we didn't lose his rights. I have no qualms with him spending one or two more years in the SEL.

Who cares if he plays in a "soft" league. He was a top 4 DMan on a championship team in one of the top tier leagues in the world that produces unbelievable hockey talent. And there's nothing wrong with comparing his style of play to other NHL players if you've seen him play and have followed him since his signing. Plus, saying he has a high hockey IQ (Hakan, whose word I'll take over yours and anyone elses) like other non-physical players in the league isn't the sme thing as saying "OMG, he's smart, so he'll be the exact same as him!!!"

All I meant was we should reserve a little judgement until he faces guys like Nash, Penner, and such I understand he should not be on the ice with guys like that alot but it will happen and he will need to play.

I have issue with him playing somewhere else on our dime.... rights or not... he entered a draft and was drafted and has been signed, He agreed on a deal to play for us.... report for duty!

I won't deny that Hakan knows his talent and I never brought him or his opinion into this. I do believe that it was those same opinions that said "E" was gonna be a top 2 D man. and we are on the border if we are gonna sign him again. just sayin'

[Konnan511 1,736]

All I meant was we should reserve a little judgement until he faces guys like Nash, Penner, and such I understand he should not be on the ice with guys like that alot but it will happen and he will need to play.

I have issue with him playing somewhere else on our dime.... rights or not... he entered a draft and was drafted and has been signed, He agreed on a deal to play for us.... report for duty!

I won't deny that Hakan knows his talent and I never brought him or his opinion into this. I do believe that it was those same opinions that said "E" was gonna be a top 2 D man. and we are on the border if we are gonna sign him again. just sayin'

He has the size, mobility and puck skills to be a No. 4-6 defenseman.

And he's not playing on "our dime". He only gets paid that money if he is on the Wings roster, otherwise he makes the AHL salary in the AHL, or his old SEL contract is bound to him by that club. If the Wings have zero problem, Babcock, Holland and Hakan have zero problems with loaning him out to a championship winning SEL club that'll play him top 4 minutes and use him in every circumstance against men who may or may not be as skilled as guys in the AHL, then I don't see how anyone could have a problem with it.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

I like this kid, he sounds very promising and keeping our fingers crossed that he reaches beyond his potential. Sort of sounds like mini Rafalski to me....

Edited May 29, 2011 by St. Michael (the Red Wing)

[sputman 1,268]

smith's replacement?

[Hockeytown_Ryan 119]

And he's not playing on "our dime". He only gets paid that money if he is on the Wings roster, otherwise he makes the AHL salary in the AHL, or his old SEL contract is bound to him by that club. If the Wings have zero problem, Babcock, Holland and Hakan have zero problems with loaning him out to a championship winning SEL club that'll play him top 4 minutes and use him in every circumstance against men who may or may not be as skilled as guys in the AHL, then I don't see how anyone could have a problem with it.

SO We signed him to a 3 year deal that we don't pay him for!?!? Someone is paying that money... and a contract is a Agreement.

and if he has such promise and skill why not bring him here and let the AHL tune him up. the faster he is in the North American hockey system

the better in my opinion. I understand that SEL is a Elite League.....I get that he did well there.....I also know that there have been players in that league

that came here and didnt amount to s*** and had alot said about them.

They play in a International Rink there right?!? Bigger rink = more space and time. need to develop those skills on a smaller rink and let him get used to the way the game

is played here. sooner the better. they know what he can do there already or the Wings would not of drafted him. now its time to take off the Pampers and start your career.

He agreed to the terms and signed a deal, He should play here! If Holland wants to loan him out, fine. Then his contract should not start until he comes here to play. BUT WE ARE PICKING UP THAT BILL! for him to play else where and possibly get hurt.

Edited May 29, 2011 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[hockey23 79]

SO We signed him to a 3 year deal that we don't pay him for!?!? Someone is paying that money... and a contract is a Agreement.

and if he has such promise and skill why not bring him here and let the AHL tune him up. the faster he is in the North American hockey system

the better in my opinion. I understand that SEL is a Elite League.....I get that he did well there.....I also know that there have been players in that league

that came here and didnt amount to s*** and had alot said about them.

They play in a International Rink there right?!? Bigger rink = more space and time. need to develop those skills on a smaller rink and let him get used to the way the game

is played here. sooner the better. they know what he can do there already or the Wings would not of drafted him. now its time to take off the Pampers and start your career.

He agreed to the terms and signed a deal, He should play here! If Holland wants to loan him out, fine. Then his contract should not start until he comes here to play. BUT WE ARE PICKING UP THAT BILL! for him to play else where and possibly get hurt.

I see you're having trouble understanding how this works. Konnan is correct, there's nothing wrong with what Almquist and the Wings are doing.

Edited May 29, 2011 by hockey23

[Red Wings Addict 787]

SO We signed him to a 3 year deal that we don't pay him for!?!? Someone is paying that money... and a contract is a Agreement.

and if he has such promise and skill why not bring him here and let the AHL tune him up. the faster he is in the North American hockey system

the better in my opinion. I understand that SEL is a Elite League.....I get that he did well there.....I also know that there have been players in that league

that came here and didnt amount to s*** and had alot said about them.

They play in a International Rink there right?!? Bigger rink = more space and time. need to develop those skills on a smaller rink and let him get used to the way the game

is played here. sooner the better. they know what he can do there already or the Wings would not of drafted him. now its time to take off the Pampers and start your career.

He agreed to the terms and signed a deal, He should play here! If Holland wants to loan him out, fine. Then his contract should not start until he comes here to play. BUT WE ARE PICKING UP THAT BILL! for him to play else where and possibly get hurt.

I thought there's something caled "on loan." In Almqvist's case, HV-71 is going to pay his salary. From what I remember, it's like how Dick Axelsson was on loan to Farjestad BK. FBK paid his salary, not Detroit.

[Hockeytown_Ryan 119]

I thought there's something caled "on loan." In Almqvist's case, HV-71 is going to pay his salary. From what I remember, it's like how Dick Axelsson was on loan to Farjestad BK. FBK paid his salary, not Detroit.

"on Loan" being someway of burying potential talent in Swe? I get it! Geez Peeps! if someone would of said that to begin with I would not of had much to say!

Thank You Addict!

Edited May 29, 2011 by Hockeytown_Ryan