Oliver Kylington: Colorado Avalanche 2015 NHL Draft Profile
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The 2014-15 season was unfortunately cut short for the Colorado Avalanche. That means that here at Mile High Sticking, we have a long off-season ahead of us. While the off-season is filled with all different kinds of articles, regarding the playoffs (that we are unfortunately not a part of), Avalanche season reviews, and many other things, it also gives us time to focus on the Colorado Avalanche 2015 NHL Draft.
Today we are taking a look at Oliver Kylington. A defenseman, who was once supposed to be one of the best, but steadily dropped down the prospect rankings. However, he may eventually turn out to be a big steal in the draft.
Name: Oliver Kylington
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height, weight: 6’0”, 180 lbs
Team/League: Färjestad, SHL
Stats (from eliteprospects.com):
GP |
|---|
G
A
P
PIM
+/-
18
2
3
5
4
-2
Pro comparison: Tobias Enström
Risk, Reward: 3.5/5, 4.5/5
NHL-potential: Top-four two-way defenseman
Draft Range: 10-30
Scouting report
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Oliver Kylington is “a smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well”, according to EliteProspects scout Rafik Soliman. The 17-year-old spent the past season in Färjestad’s U-20, their pro team, and the Allsvenskan’s AIK.
Prior to the 2014-15 season, Kylington was regarded the number one European skater by NHL Central Scouting. However, as the season progressed, he dropped down and is now ranked as the sixth European skater now. In other rankings, Kylington can be found anywhere between 13th and 27th.
As per Future Considerations, Oliver Kylington is an “exceptionally poised, mature two-way defenseman. He likes to join in on the rush and function as a quarterback from the blue line. His passing abilities are very good and he plays very smart passes in the offensive zone. Although Kylington does not possess the hardest shot, he does know how to put a dangerous shot on net.
Oliver Kylington has all the tools to succeed.
On defense, Kylington needs some work to improve. The foundation is there, as he has a very good hockey-sense and great skating abilities. However, his positioning and gap-control need to improve a fair bit before he can play in the NHL. Furthermore, he needs to get more physical in order to succeed in the world’s toughest league.
Oliver Kylington is not the biggest defenseman. At 6-foot, 180-pounds, the young Swede will have to face much bigger competition in the NHL. Nevertheless, he has all the tools to succeed. In the Swedish SHL, Kylington has proven that he can compete with men, even at age 16. His hockey-sense, puck-skills, and skating allow him to play bigger than he is.
Fit with the Avalanche
Oliver Kylington is a high-risk, high-reward player, depending on how early teams dare to pick him. For the Avalanche, he would likely only be an option if they acquire another later first round draft pick.
Playing with men for two years already, Kylington should be fairly close to the NHL. He needs to improve, but could soon be an option to bolster the left side on defense. His skill-set gives him all the tools to succeed as a top-pairing defenseman — perhaps beside Erik Johnson or Tyson Barrie.