Simon Holmström
2018-19 Group: HV71 J20Date of Beginning: Could 24, 2001Place of Beginning: Tranås, SwedenHt: 6-foot-1 Wt: 193 poundsShoots: LeftPosition: RWNHL Draft Eligibility: 2019 first-year eligible
Rankings
Regardless of beginning the season ranked as a excessive first-round decide, Simon Holmström might not even get picked till the second. However what’s attention-grabbing is that his drop within the rankings has nothing to do along with his talent. Holmström suffered a sequence of accidents, together with a hip surgical procedure within the offseason earlier than 2018-19, a damaged thumb and a concussion that sidelined him for a big portion of the season.
Associated: NHL Draft Information | 2019 Version
He missed a whole lot of essential improvement time in his draft-eligible 12 months, so groups could also be cautious Holmström is damage inclined or has had his improvement compromised. Solely time will inform if he’s in actual fact damage inclined, however his play when he was wholesome, it appears as if the ahead is on observe in his development.
Holmström performed 21 video games with HV71 J20 within the SuperElit, scoring seven objectives and 20 factors. He was additionally a plus-seven. Then within the playoffs, he was a point-per-game with a aim and three factors. He additionally performed three video games with HV71 J18 within the J18 Allsvenskan, getting a aim and 4 factors, including one other aim and three factors in 5 playoff video games. Lastly, he performed one recreation with the SHL’s HV71, with out scoring some extent.
Contemplating how a lot time he missed at two totally different factors within the season, these are spectacular numbers. He caught near a point-per-game irrespective of the place he was. That even continued internationally on the U18 World Championship. Holmström was a star on Group Sweden, serving to the staff to a gold medal along with his three objectives and 6 factors in seven video games.
If Holmström performed a full season, it’s very doubtless that he’d be a lock for the primary spherical. That’s largely as a result of good selections he makes with the puck, his borderline-elite playmaking talents and the imaginative and prescient he has on the ice. He’s additionally skater however wants to search out that prime gear at occasions. Total in his play, the nice positively outweighs the unhealthy.
There’s a lot to love in his recreation, but Holmström might find yourself as one of many largest fallers within the 2019 NHL Draft. Groups will think about simply how typically he was injured, and he would possibly find yourself going later than many suppose. But when it seems he simply had a foul 12 months for accidents, he might find yourself as one of many largest steals within the draft.
Different THW Draft Profiles:
Simon Holmström – NHL Draft Projection
Evidently many scouts and groups are hesitant of Holmström as a result of small pattern dimension in his draft-eligible season. Nevertheless, his play when he was wholesome was ok to maintain him proper on the bubble of the primary spherical. It is going to be very attention-grabbing to see the place he goes, however I feel he’ll hear his identify referred to as within the early-to-mid second spherical.
Quotables
“Holmström is a really expert and good winger. He makes a whole lot of good selections and finds choices constantly effectively. With HV71, Holmström was typically used of their setups to make performs from behind the online, and he did so very effectively, discovering gamers in high-percentage areas in quite a lot of methods. He has slippery talent, and whereas he gained’t typically go end-to-end, he can get by way of defenders and have the odd impression shift along with his talent. Holmström competes effectively. He’s not overly bodily, however he engages defenders effectively and can battle for house. His skating is okay. He can present the odd burst the place he turns defenders, however his total tempo is common.” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic (From: “Pronman’s 2019 NHL Draft Board: Prime 107 prospects” – The Athletic – Could 21, 2019).
“He’s an explosive skater, with very good acceleration and fast first steps with the puck. He additionally has each the fingers and head to make good use of his velocity and quickness, he can deal with the puck very effectively, and discover artistic methods to make performs whereas skating at excessive velocity. The mixture of his clean fingers, creativity, and mobility make him a harmful participant in 1-on-1 conditions, if he’s left with some room to speed up Holmström will be near unattainable to cease for a sole defender. A draw back along with his aptitude and can to create scoring possibilities is that Holmström at occasions makes pointless and dangerous performs with the puck that leads to turnovers, as a substitute of creating a easy and better share play and maintain the puck possession.” – Christoffer Hedlund, EPRinkside
“Holmström is a superb playmaker from the wing. He has superb imaginative and prescient, and he could make crisp passes. He additionally has a fantastic shot which makes him a dual-threat. He’s a really proficient skater who combines velocity with agility. Holmström may very well be a faller within the NHL Entry Draft due to the damage considerations. But when he’s nonetheless accessible within the second spherical, his upside is unquestionably value a range there.” – Jokke Nevalainen, DobberProspects
Strengths
Choice makingPlaymakingPuck-handlingCreativityUnder Development (Enhancements to Make)
PhysicalitySkatingDurabilityNHL Potential
Holmström is a really attention-grabbing decide, as he was excessive on many draft rankings previous to his injury-plagued season. If his accidents have been simply unhealthy luck in a single season, he might turn into a top-six winger. If they’ve slowed his improvement or turn into the norm for his profession, a top-six participant might be pushing it. There’s particular upside with Holmström, however there’s additionally an enormous threat for the staff that drafts him.
Threat-Reward Evaluation
Threat – four.5/5, Reward – four/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offence – eight/10, Defence – 7/10
Awards/Achievements
In 2017-18, whereas enjoying with the HV71 J20 within the SuperElit, Holmström completed his rookie season main all U17 gamers in factors (30). He additionally helped the staff to a championship title. This previous season, he helped Group Sweden to a gold medal within the U18 World Championship.
Interview/Profile Hyperlinks
Movies
