Elton Hermansson:
Projection: Second-line winger
Strengths: Excellent anticipation and play reading, 200-foot game,
Hockey IQ, Power play
Weaknesses: Physical game, top speed, wrist shot release
Analysis:
Elton Hermansson is an excellent pass-first, defensive-minded winger.
He understands the intricacies of the game very well, often being one
step ahead of the play and dictating how the play should develop with
the puck on his stick. He uses above-average footwork to open up lanes
to or from his stick, sliding passes through seams, or looking for the
open man back door. He’s also excellent on the defensive side of the
puck, defending off the rush well through a strong back check and good
stick work. He also has a slapshot he can let rip on the power play if
he’s found wide open with time to let it fly.
My biggest absence in his game is his physicality. He often is smart
enough to get ahead of the play, so he doesn’t have to use his body,
but when the time comes to use his body to defend the puck or push off
an opponent, he struggles to generate enough strength to win the puck
back frequently. I find he doesn’t have the highest top speed either,
which is a minor setback. Lastly, I wouldn’t consider his wrist shot
to be a major asset of his either.