The Ticking Klefbom
Lowetide
October 26 2011 06:17PM
Oscar Klefbom was drafted in June and then forgotten about, lost in the flood of teenagers at rookie and training camp vying for attention from the club and Oilersnation. The trouble with these SEL kids is that it's hard to track them and then even more difficult to evaluate them based on miles and miles of zero's in all the scoring columns. Well, how IS Oscar Klefbom doing?
On draft day he was interviewed on tsn and advised not to ask for #11 (Messier's number and the number on his uniform, reflecting draft year). Klefbom answered the questions well and seemed like a nice enough fellow. There's not much else we can glean from the 90 seconds with... that tsn gives the first round kids on draft weekend's Friday night.
The Klefbom scouting reports were glowing (especially Redline report) and as a fan I was looking forward to tracking the youngster this year. It's difficult because Klefbom plays for a deep team (despite struggles) and has often been playing for the J20 Farjestad squad so far in 11-12.
YEAR BY YEAR
I think the best way to compare these seasons is to add in items aside from the basic boxcars (GP, G, A, PTS). Below, I've given the boxcars by year but also added TOI and then plus minus. Let's have a look.
- 10-11: 16, 1-1-2 2pims, +1 12minutes a game 6 hits
- 11-12: 7, 0-0-0 0pims +2 7minutes a game 3 hits
The SEL and hockeydb sites have Klefbom playing 23 games last season but I went through and counted them and 7 of the games that had him listed did not show any TOI. For the purposes of our look at progress, I think games played is important so wanted to make things accurate.
Klefbom has had some injury issues (we discussed them here) and is playing fewer minutes this season. However, in recent games the young man appears to be getting more ice time and there's a lot of season left to burn.
I don't think we can read too much into the lack of offense, as PP time doesn't appear to be plentiful at this point in his SEL career.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
We shouldn't expect major items like goals and assists from a kid playing 7 minutes a night, but if we look again in January and he's up to 12 minutes that shows progress. He doesn't appear to be hampering the team at evens and despite injuries and HS's Klefbom is playing.
This week it was announced that Klefbom will play for Sweden in the 4Nations tournament in Finland during November, and he would have to be considered a strong option for the WJ's in Alberta this December. He went 6, 1-3-4 a year ago at the World Juniors for Sweden.
FIST!
who cares about ginos and apples - look at that head of hair!
in all seriousness, i'm just glad he's healthy. that early injury had me worried, glad he's back and playing.
thanks for putting this one up. I was wondering how he was doing over in the SEL. It's important that this team have some good young defenders in the system.
Can't wait to see this kid drop some Klefboms during the WJC this year (against non Canadian teams of course)
So, what is his number on Färjestads BK?
Klefbom wears #7. Cool number for a D.
Don't think this kid has the desire to play in the NHL. Give him 2 yrs before he's known as Klefbust.
I hope this kid is able to come over to NA sooner than later id hate for him to b a pick that gets lost in the shuffle over time, he seems pretty good.
Heard city council voted YAY on the new arena, hope the shovels get in the ground in less time than it took to get this far.
Has he been advised against wearing that number for the Oilers too?
@Lowetide
Lucky number too.
General question LT:
What kind of control do NHL teams have over drafted/signed players in other Leagues?
I assume a fair amount within the organization (i.e. affiliated AHL teams). But outside of that, how does an NHL team ensure a development path that suits their needs? Presumably the needs of a player's prospective future NHL team and current team don't always meet up on questions of ice time, match-ups, etc.
What the Klef?
Based on what?
I think NHL teams can deal with the agent on it, but there's not a lot they can do directly with an SEL team (they have no input).
But they can talk to the agent and suggest another destination for the following year, etc. The one that sticks in my brain is Jani Rita, he didn't play much in the SM-Liiga as a teenager.
30 games in two seasons, 3 points and 2 penalty minutes. Looks to have a low pain threshold it seems. Looks to be just another much trumpeted kid from across the pond, much like Paajarvi i guess. Magnus looks like he's wandering in the desert...bouncing aimlessly around this lineup without a home yet.
Paajarvi,Klefbom and Omark for Shea Weber next summer.
Judging from your posts here and your woefully uninformed posts on HFBoards, I'm getting the feeling you're a really fun guy to be around.
@Lowetide
Thanks for the info. Really appreciate the insights. It is amazing how much a team can't control for.
Ok, Obvious question then, was there an alternative path for a player like Rita? Could the Oil have managed his development better by bringing him to the AHL earlier? I imagine these players are generally stuck in contracts with their European teams and therefore NHL teams are SOL?
Speaking of Rita, looks like he's playing pretty well so far this year 15, 9-2-11 and 4pms Glad to see he found a home. "Once an Oiler..." and all...
Ya everything I've read about him says stuff like: "Character player, and potential captain"
I'm sure giving up easily comes natually to Q . . . do you think he's french?
Yeah, I don't honestly know. Rita looked like a player at the WJs, and when he did come over there were some promising signs (he had a good shot) but he never did grab the job.
The one thing I believe we can look back on are those post draft seasons when he wasn't playing much at all.
If these kids don't agree to come over and play Major Junior then "fuhgetaboutem"! They rot over there.
Klefbom is back with the big team now, due to one D having the flu, and another D being suspended. I understand he did well his first game back.
@derrickhands
Thanks for the info. Have you got a link?
In his first year in the SEL at 18, Nick Lidstrom had 2 points and 4 PIM in 19 games. Where did you buy your crystal ball?
In his first year in the SEL at 18, Nick Lidstrom had 2 points and 4 PIM in 19 games. Where did you buy your crystal ball?
Moneypuck/Quicksilver ballet,
What's with the name change?
Are you QB now Moneypuck, or Moneypuck with the same Avatar as QB?
The Shea Weber trade proposal makes me think you are QB with a new nickname...still I am not sure.
@Butters
I'm pretty sure that's Quick with a name change. He's a perpetual rebuild machine. Everything from vets to rookies to prospects to his own name must be dealt for sweet sweet lotto picks.
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Offtopic:
Looks like Landeskog is staying, Zibanejad is back to Europe. When does RNH get to hear the good news?
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=597419
If any of you are interested in reading Klefboms draft status/reports to get a feel for him I would advise you check out BDW.
Link: http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Oscar%20Klefbom
I good resource I picked up from Lowetide a season ago or so. Other than that it's pretty tough to find stuff on this kid, other than your basic hockey stats. None the less thanks for the update LT, I was wondering when it was coming, I was just hoping you were more lucky than I finding things and had little more to run with...
Even he can't stand himself?
@Zack
Thanks for the tip. Great resource. Fun vids.
Why wouldn't Klefbom be able to wear 7 for the Oilers?
First post here. I have read many topics here and gotta say, Moneypuck, I am quite sure you are the most pessimistic dude I have ever read posts from.
On a lighter note, I wish Rod Phillips was still on the radio. Would love to hear him bellowing Klefbom with the bomb from the point to tie the game at 2
Ummm Paul Coffey?
Given how it states in the article that little is known about him, what information are you using to form this opinion?
Plus the kid is a young 18 (July 20th), so he's at least a half-year behind other 18 year old Swedish defenseman.
I'd say more like 2 years in Sweden before we can expect the kid to come over to North America, and then he's still likely need seasoning in the AHL.
if one was rude they could suggest it was because the other name held about as much respect as a Playmate at a Nobel Peace prize gathering..
i wont be rude today, so i wont come right out and say it...
Knowing very little about this guy, I trust the magnificent bastard's pick here. The Oilers have been pretty CHL heavy in the last few drafts (so you know they're looking) and took Klefbom over Joe Morrow, who apparently looked good in Pittsburgh.
Its too bad the Oilers have absolutely no control in his ice-time and development. It would be nice if the Oilers could somehow "lend" Motin to Farjestad for the release of Klefbom's contract and he could come dominate some WHL on the Oil Kings.
I do realize this is impossible, but it sure would be nice.
Greg Atkins tweeted this to me this morning:
one thing on Klefbom's offense - in the J20 league, Klefbom posted 38 shots in 10gp, 2nd most on a team that has played 15 games
No No No... you're not following the new model of the Smyth trade. You send them T. Fedun but don't mention he's got that whole compound fracture thing.
@Lowetide
2nd most shots on the team as a defenseman... that's incredible!
I think its time in this thread to move to Gagner. Can we not muster a trade for this kid. Even for a draft pick. He is so soft to play against. He spends half his shift cleaning the ice with his gear as he wallows around on the ice. As for Omark or the second coming of Robert Neilsen cut bait now.
And... "Gagner's Law" (analog to Godwin's Law") strikes again:
"As an Oiler Nation discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Gagner and/or Omark approaches 1"
Dear LT, First I'd like to say that I really enjoy reading your articles/blogs. They are quite insightful and always gives me a different angle on things. However a few articles ago you had promised or hinted towards changing your ways and stop objectifying women in your blogs.
One of our fellow posters even called you out on it and promised never to read any of your work again if you didn't stop. Well I'd like to make you a promise too LT. I promise I will never read another article/blog from you if it does not include women being objectified in any way.
LOL, good stuff as always LT.
C'mon now, play nice.
Most everyone here seems to always choose the beaten path. Sometimes if you want to change things up a bit you have to put on that lime green track suit and knock the train off the rails.
I enjoy the all Oilers all the time atmosphere here but nothing that happens here matters, sometimes it's okay to come for the difference in opinion, even if it isn't genuine.
Quicksilver=Somebodyfnkillme=Moneypuck, there's nowhere to hide for me. I come for the laughs, not to be better informed. We all have our differing opinion on things.
@Has Taylor Hall asked to be traded, yet?
"but nothing that happens here matters"
what constitutes "mattering" for you and where does that take place? I'm genuinely curious?
I was just trying out a newer crystal ball. Sorry for leaving you guys hanging and not defending myself last night. My mother passed way last week and i'm the only offspring left in town to clean out here belongings from her residence. Her crystal ball works better than mine i guess, anyone want to buy one, since i have an extra?
What takes these Euro's so long to develope, why were the Oilers content to lay up and select an iffy prospect at 19th when we're smack dab in the middle of a rebuild. Burn the place to the ground, outside of 4,14,91,93 and 94 there's nothing left here. Time to start fresh here again and add to this smallish group
Shortly after the draft, I had read that the Wings were really interested in Klefbom, and thought that he would still be around when they picked.
Is there a better unsubstantiated endorsement than that?
Meant that the Oilers don't look to opinions mentioned here to help with the day to day operations of the hockey club.
I beg to differ. Obviously Renney has been reading my ongoing commentary on Omark...
LT, you should hook up with DOHFOS. Diehard oilfan in Sweden - http://swedishoil.dohfos.eu
Oh, yea. Fair enough. I doubt any of the commentators take themselves that seriously here (why so serious? and all).
That said I wouldn't be surprised to hear they have some media stooge that is paid to check out message boards to gage the pulse of the fan base. If employers are reading people's facebook now you can bet organizations that rely heavily on their public perception to make money invest in all kinds of weird market strategies.
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On an altogether different note. Really sorry about your Mom. That burns. Here's a dirge-like song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WquHB0mjeL4
sampled for Ghostface's "Momma"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC6xbdYJLXo
@HallFever
Wow. that blog is packed. a bit cluttered and hard to read (tiny font is your enemy). Interesting perspective though. Awesome to know the Oil are represented all over.