Oscar Klefbom: “It feels like I’ve taken another step”
10 years ago
Though in some ways he’s been overshadowed by other defensive prospects – Martin Marincin, drafted a year earlier, has made the jump to the NHL while Darnell Nurse has better draft pedigree – Oscar Klefbom remains one of the more significant young players in the Oilers organization.
We were able to catch up with him on Monday in Oklahoma City and ask him some questions about his season and what he brings to the Oilers.
The Interview
- “What’s your adjustment with playing here versus playing in
Sweden been like? It seems like there was a bit of a learning curve at the
start of the year and you’re getting it now, is that right?”
“You’re absolutely right. It’s always tough when you come
from Sweden or any European country. When you play on the big ice you have a
special game system. Then you come over on the small ice, and maybe the coaches
want you to play in a different way. After Christmas it feels like I’ve taken
another step. I’m more comfortable in this type of game, and I’m just looking
forward to the next game. It feels good right now.”
from Sweden or any European country. When you play on the big ice you have a
special game system. Then you come over on the small ice, and maybe the coaches
want you to play in a different way. After Christmas it feels like I’ve taken
another step. I’m more comfortable in this type of game, and I’m just looking
forward to the next game. It feels good right now.”
- “It was your shoulder that was injured in Sweden, right? What
happened there?”
“I got a hit from behind, flew right into the boards. I
tried to cover myself and the shoulder was separated, it was the labrum that was torn
off. It was a tough season, but I think last season was important for me to prepare
myself to be physically and mentally ready for this season.”
tried to cover myself and the shoulder was separated, it was the labrum that was torn
off. It was a tough season, but I think last season was important for me to prepare
myself to be physically and mentally ready for this season.”
- “So even though you didn’t play, you were able to do off-ice
work?
“Exactly. And I went to Edmonton a couple of times, to know
the staff, know the guys and do some rehabilitation with my shoulder.”
the staff, know the guys and do some rehabilitation with my shoulder.”
- “This is going to be an odd question, but the Oilers have a
lot of tall defencemen – Marincin, you, Gernat – but the weight is pretty low. You’re
listed at 6’3”, 204lbs, is that still about right?”
“I’m 215 now, 215-217 so a little bit heavier. I feel like I
have a pretty good weight, I’m comfortable with my weight right now. I don’t
feel heavy, but I feel comfortable.”
have a pretty good weight, I’m comfortable with my weight right now. I don’t
feel heavy, but I feel comfortable.”
- “You guys had meetings with the Oilers’ development staff.
What did they tell you to work on?”
“Just small details. [Assistant coach] Rocky [Thompson] is having skill training with all
the defencemen: quick feet, split vision (he gestured with his hands to indicate his field of sight), passing, controlling the puck during
skating and obviously the shot. The shot can always be improved if you want to
play in the NHL. So it’s a bunch of stuff, and Rocky’s really good coach to prepare me.”
the defencemen: quick feet, split vision (he gestured with his hands to indicate his field of sight), passing, controlling the puck during
skating and obviously the shot. The shot can always be improved if you want to
play in the NHL. So it’s a bunch of stuff, and Rocky’s really good coach to prepare me.”
- “During the games, [Head coach] Todd [Nelson] runs the forwards, [assistant coach] Gerry [Fleming] runs the
defence, does Rocky work with you guys one-on-one more, with development?”
“He’s maybe a little bit individual, Rocky. He’s very good
at setting up drills that are very similar to games; I think he’s very good.”
at setting up drills that are very similar to games; I think he’s very good.”
- “You mentioned working on your shot. Something I’ve always wondered
when I watch you play: you’re so good with the puck, you can rush the puck you
can pass the puck, but your point totals never seem to be very high. Why is
that?”
“I don’t know really! When I was younger, when I played with
Farjestad juniors or with the national team, I was always the guy who was
like ‘oh he got a point here, he got an assist there?’ This year, last year and
this year, I don’t know what’s happening; I just want to play good but some
points wouldn’t bother me. I scratch my head.”
Farjestad juniors or with the national team, I was always the guy who was
like ‘oh he got a point here, he got an assist there?’ This year, last year and
this year, I don’t know what’s happening; I just want to play good but some
points wouldn’t bother me. I scratch my head.”
- “You’ve been playing a lot with David Musil of late. What
does he bring to that pairing?”
“He’s a good guy. He’s a good skater, he’s very good on the
ice. He knows where to cover for me; if I go [in on a pinch] he stays back. He
reads hockey very well, he’s very good in the defensive zone, very strong and
can make a good first pass.”
ice. He knows where to cover for me; if I go [in on a pinch] he stays back. He
reads hockey very well, he’s very good in the defensive zone, very strong and
can make a good first pass.”
- “You play a pretty physical game, but you
never rack up the penalty minutes. I chalk that up as a positive because it’s
good to be disciplined, but how do you manage that where you’re landing hits,
having a lot of contact but not being called for penalties?”
“If we have to win games against very good teams like Grand
Rapids or Texas that have a real good power play we have to stay out of the
box. I try to have my stick on the ice all the time. I’m pretty heavy so I try
to use it as much as I can, but in a nice way so you don’t get any bad
penalties and stay out of the box.”
Rapids or Texas that have a real good power play we have to stay out of the
box. I try to have my stick on the ice all the time. I’m pretty heavy so I try
to use it as much as I can, but in a nice way so you don’t get any bad
penalties and stay out of the box.”
- “Is that one of those things too where you have the speed so
you don’t have to hook guys?”
“Exactly. I try to move my feet all the time.”
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