Philip Broberg, Smart Two-Way Defenceman With Exceptional Skating Ability, Should be on Montreal Canadiens Radar at 2019 NHL Entry Draft
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA — The draft lottery is now complete and there were no surprises in store for the Montreal Canadiens. They will select 15th overall at this year’s NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver.
Thanks to the hard work of the Habs amateur scouting team led by Trevor Timmins and Shayne Churla, the prospect pool went from one of the worst in the NHL to one of the best. They have been able to provide depth up front, especially at center with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Ryan Poehling. There is also depth in goal and some quality defensemen who may make their pro debut over the next two years. However, only defensive prospect Alexander Romanov has a chance of playing as a top pair rearguard.
There is still much work to be done to improve the team’s blueline over the long term. Drafting at 15 isn’t the best case for a rapid injection of talent, but a very good player should be added to the system. One player that could be available for the Canadiens is Swedish defenceman Philip Broberg.
Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Allsvenskan)
June 25, 2001 | Orebo, SWE
6-3, 203 lbs. | Shoots Left | @philip_broberg1
2018-’19: 41 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 PTS
CSB: 5 (EU Skaters) | ISS: No. 21 | | McKeen’s: No. 12 | HP: No. 19 | FC: No.18
Broberg is a hybrid of the new and old age defender. He is an elite skater who is capable of playing with an edge. His addition would immediately make him the top defensive prospect in the Habs system.
Broberg plays a skillful and positionally-sound, two-way defensive game. His elite skating is his main weapon, as it allows him the ability to read and react to plays much more quickly. He does a little bit of everything well, and outside of his skating ability, nothing in his game stands out as elite.
Broberg has slid down some draft charts over the season as his ice time has been downgraded both with his club team AIK and due to a lesser role with the Swedish World Junior U20 team. However, he was the youngest defenceman for both clubs this season so that was to be expected.
Defensively, Broberg has shown himself to be highly capable. He has been adept at using his skating ability to force attackers to the outside and then use size to his advantage. This skill alone has helped to provide his team with low percentage shots against.
These tools help him with defending the front of the net as well as in the corners. Broberg is more than capable of punishing opposition forwards and winning the majority of puck battles. He has an advanced hockey IQ that allows him the ability to read developing plays well. His skating abilities make him a very dangerous players.
Philip Broberg just had one of those patented Broberg rushes down the ice, cut to the net for a chance. Rebound popped in by Oscar Lawner for the easiest goal of his life. Broberg's wheels are elite among the Dmen this year.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) April 21, 2019
Once he gains possession, Broberg can use his long reach and excellent mobility to create the separation he needs to launch the transition game with a quick and accurate break-out pass. He then uses his speed to follow the play offensively.
Broberg also boasts a heavy shot from the point that he is able to reliably get on net. He has a good offensive vision to find passing seams or to create a scoring chance for a better positioned teammate.
That being said, there have been questions about his offensive upside at the next level.
“What is the offensive upside here?”
In his March draft rankings, Sportsnet analyst Sam Cosentino asked, “(Broberg’s) ability to adjust his game depending on where he’s playing is a great asset, but the question still remains: what is the offensive upside here?”
Broberg boasts the size, physicality, mobility and ability to think the game at a high level. This style of play fits into the new mold of NHL defender. His ability to play at a high pace is also an excellent fit going forward with the current model the Canadiens are trying to build upon.
Broberg plays a well-balanced game that helps him project as a quality NHL defender in the same playing style as a Ryan Suter or Mathias Ekholm. Even if his offensive game doesn’t round into elite form, these reasons alone would still make of him an excellent fit as a core defensive piece for the Habs.
By Blain Potvin, Staff Writer. Edited by Cate Racher.
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