Montreal Canadiens prospect
Mattias Norlinder will step on the ice in Brossard, Quebec Wednesday donning the bleu-blanc-rouge for the first time at their rookie camp. The 21-year-old played in his final SHL game on Saturday and then headed to Montreal to begin his career in North America.
Earlier this month, Patrik Bexell of Habs Eyes on the Prize went to Sweden to talk to Frolunda HC's assistant coach Kristoffer Naslund to talk about how far Norlinder has come in his development.
"Mattias has grown into his role after a year in the SHL. He started very well last year, but got into a dip after his injuries, suffered while with the national team. He worked himself up and finished strong. This year he has started on that level that he finished last season. He is more secure with the puck, covering it better. We knew he would be good offensively this year. He gets to use his shot on the power play as well, and he has scored twice in Champions Hockey League already. It is great to see him play in such a strong power-play unit. A unit that is starting to click, and they start to really understand each other. A lot has happened in that area of the game, for Norlinder, and for us."
The Kramfors, Sweden native was selected by the Canadiens in the third round, 64th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Norlinder will get an opportunity with Montreal in their main training camp which begins next Wednesday and will more than likely appear in a few preseason games. If he's going to make Montreal's opening night roster, he'll have some competition along
Brett Kulak and
Chris Wideman who are both vying for a spot on the Canadiens third pairing.
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Source: Habs Eyes on the PrizeADS
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