2020 Flames First Round Targets: William Wallinder
By Mike Wilson
3 years agoThe 2020 NHL Draft is scheduled for October 6 and 7, conducted remotely. The Calgary Flames have a first round selection and will pick 19th overall. In advance of the draft, we’ll be looking at some contenders to be selected at 19th.
It’s easy to get some serious Zarley Zalapski vibes from the name alone: William Wallinder. That’s a straight up hockey name for a big, effective Swedish defender.
Scouting report
The left hand shot Swede is a powerful and mobile skater with towering size measuring in at 6 foot 4. Despite his big frame he’s known more for his exceptional ability to move the puck. He’s a late birthday (July 28) so there is time and room to grow both physically and in terms of on ice play for William Wallinder.
Joining MODO Hockey in 2017 Wallinder rose through the ranks. In 2019-20 he played a single and dominant game with the U-18 club picking up 5 assists before heading to the under 20 club in the SuperElit league. There he put together a solid campaign with 24 points in 37 games.
MODO had him complete the 2020 season with the men’s club in the Allsvenskan (the second highest ice hockey league in Sweden). While he didn’t light the world on fire or get a ton of ice it speaks highly of his ability to compete in the men’s league before turning 18.
Many analysts point to his unique combination of size, skating, play-making, and transition game.
Jokke Nevalainen of Dobber Prospects describes Wallinder in the following manner:
“Wallinder is a puck-rushing defenseman with great size and a left-handed shot. He loves to join the rush and he’s often times even leading the rush”
The Draft Analyst’s Steve Kournianos elaborates:
“Wallinder is an excellent skater with strong edges, excellent balance, and fluid movements in all directions. He looks graceful in open ice and can carry the puck from end to end with speed and agility. Even in a clogged neutral zone, Wallinder is confident in his stickhandling and nimble enough to sidestep or weave away from pressure while keeping his head on a swivel and attacking the weakest point.”
Wallinder is also highly praised for his ability to run a power play, as evidenced by his 14 man advantage points in the Superelit league last season.
And make no doubt about it, Wallinder isn’t hesitant to use his big body, perhaps sometimes to his positional disadvantage.
“Wallinder knows how to use his size. He does well clearing the front of the net, which makes him a viable option on the penalty kill. He’s not afraid to get physical and go for a big hit, but his aggression can cause him to occasionally lose his positioning….Wallinder has some bite to his game, and often gets into scrums after the whistle in defense of himself or his teammates.” – The Hockey Writers
Concerns regarding his defensive ability are the most prevalent. Wallinder has the tendency to be too focused on having the puck on his stick at all times and always being on the offensive attack. His defensive awareness and decision making notably need some work.
Overall, he’s a raw talent with some defensive issues. He has the tools, it’s just a question of putting it all together and working on the defensive side of things.
The numbers
Again, he made it look easy in his single game in U-18 with MODO picking up 5 assists before being promoted to the SuperElit league. There he finished fourth in scoring among defensemen in their first eligible draft year putting up 24 points in his 37 games (5 goals, 19 assists).
His two points in 18 GP with MODO in Allsvenskan are slightly misleading. He was one of very few players in his age group to even play in the men’s league. His smaller role (averaging just under five minutes in TOI per game) certainly skewed this as well. In fact, his two assists were the most total points collected by any skater in Allsvenskan under the age of 18.
Availability and fit
He should be available when the Flames pick at 19th, allowing for the risk that another club is really sold on him and willing to take a risk. There’s a divide among scouts and draft analysts on where he’ll go in general. I’ve seen him ranked anywhere from late first round to late second round.
What I do know is that Brad Treliving and company have a proclivity for mobile, puck moving defensemen with offensive upside. Now that the Flames have graduated multiple defensive prospects to the NHL, the infinity gauntlet of Swedish defensemen could use another addition. With some proper development a raw talent like Wallinder could be an exciting piece on the blueline down the road. He would be a gamble at 19th but one that could pay off.
2020 First Round Targets
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