KLEFBOM RISING

It’s early, and we all know defensemen can rise and fall with the price of oil, but Oscar Klefbom has enjoyed an excellent start to his SEL season.

Last season, Klefbom–18 at the time–played a depth role on the Farjestad club (SEL). That’s a real positive for a player that age, and we can see by this lovely graph (stunning, isn’t it?) that young Oscar did well in a depth role.

As you can see, Klefbom was a depth defender, an extra player (although his playing time increased as the season wore on). His minus 1 on a team with 5D in the black suggest that young Klefbom wasn’t among the most trustworthy defenders on the roster–and at 19 that’s just right.

Now we need to remember this is early, but all the numbers are heading in a good direction. Klefbom–who won’t turn 20 until next summer–is 4th in TOI and has the best plus minus. His time on ice totals are very close to Nygren and Tollefson, and he’s trending in the right direction in recent games.

These are positive signs. We should begin to hear anecdotal evidence of this move up the depth chart and Klefbom performing well against tougher competition.

Math suggests it is inevitable.

The evidence suggests Klefbom will not put up big points in pro hockey, but then again it is also unlikely that he’s getting a lot of powerplay time at this point in his career.

Hmm, let’s see. Oilers signed an offensive dynamo from the blue who can play defense in Justin Schultz, and have an emerging defensive player who can make crisp outlet passes in Oscar Klefbom.

Does that sound like a pairing made in heaven?