Jensen heading to SEL ??

[Fred]

Any one else notice this from HF

CKWX has learned that #Canucks #1 draft pick Niklas Jensen will play in Sweden next year of he doesn't make the Canucks.

Modo maybe ? Naslund/Gillis connection.

Similar to Hannay and Grenier both going to Red Bull in Strasburg.

[dbr]

We were discussing it in the wheelings and dealings thread.

Jensen is ineligible for the AHL so if he wants a higher level of competition than the OHL next year (and does not make the Canucks) he has to look overseas.

It's a bit different from Grenier in that I don't think he's eligible for the Q this year (he's 21 now) so the Canucks found a pro team for him in Europe rather than having to commit a contract to him and having him maybe fail to make the Wolves and end up in the ECHL.

[tantalum]

Good idea IMO. Provided he comes back of course...

[mpp]

I like that. SEL over OHL could help him. Needs to stick to his training plan while in Europe though.

[Benjo]

I thought European players could forgo this process and play in the OHL/AHL/NHL or wherever they are assigned, or is there some sort of rule against this?

[Topper]

I would pick the SEL over a north Chicago 'bub in O'Hare's back yard.

[Potatoe1]

Jensen seemed to perform better in the AHL (and at camp) then the OHL last year (6 goals in 8 games). The feeling was that he was better in a more structured environment.

The SEL would likely be a fit given he can't play in the AHL next year.

[FAN]

Personally, I'm not a fan of this move. I think playing in the OHL is better in terms of playing an North American style game and allows the Canucks to keep close tabs on him. I want Jensen to stay in Canada and not get the idea that playing in Europe wouldn't be such a bad experience.

I thought European players could forgo this process and play in the OHL/AHL/NHL or wherever they are assigned, or is there some sort of rule against this?

Jensen isn't considered an "European player" because he was drafted out of the CHL.

[Lancer]

It makes sense to me. I recall reading how his production with Chicago last Spring was better than his production with Oshawa this past season - which he credited to playing in a more organized system in better comptetition. If that's what helps him develop, then by all means let him go to the SEL for a year. Hopefully Gillis and his agent can work something out with a SEL club (MoDo wouldn't be a bad fit, and the linkages are evident).

Question for Per: In which club/organization would a player like Jensen develop the best?

[BladesofSteel]

Personally, I'm not a fan of this move. I think playing in the OHL is better in terms of playing an North American style game... and allows the Canucks to keep close tabs on him.

Jensen already has two years of "North American" hockey under his belt. At this stage, he should have a pretty good grasp of the style. If both he and management agree his development would be better suited competing against men, than he should be playing against men. He would still be eligible to play for Denmark should they qualify for the WJ's again.

...and allows the Canucks to keep close tabs on him.

What do you mean by "close tabs"?

[Per]

Read an article based on an interview on Danish TV, and according to Jensen it's the Canucks that have recommended that he play in the SEL if he doesn't make the NHL. There are rumours that he might be signing with Modo, which I guess would make sense, considering Näslund, Påhlsson, the Sedins, Edler, etc. There are already some strong ties between Modo and the Canucks

[Eddy Punch Clock]

(Per just beat me to it)

[donlever]

(Per just beat me to it)

....told ya.

[Eddy Punch Clock]

(Per just beat me to it)

....told ya.

Hey, if it didn't take me ten minutes to cut and paste from HF I would have beaten him.

God damned shaky hands. .

[BladesofSteel]

(Per just beat me to it)

....told ya.

Hey, if it didn't take me ten minutes to cut and paste from HF I would have beaten him.

God damned shaky hands. .

Stupid pot!!

Oh wait, its only 3:30...