Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson – Magnus PS

In astronomy, the magnus effect is likened to the lift force created by an aerofoil. For the Edmonton Oilers' fans, they’re hoping that their coveted prospect will take flight in the NHL next season. Already, a number of prospects from Magnus’ draft year are making an impact in the NHL including John Tavares, Ryan O’Reilly, Victor Hedman, and Matt Duchene among others.

The Oilers drafted Magnus in the first round for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft-10th overall. It’s their highest draft pick since Sam Gagner in 2007. Many with myself included anticipated Magnus getting picked higher in his draft year. For a team that collapsed down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs, it was a fine consolation prize.

Right now, there’s three questions for Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson:

How has his development tracked this year based on point production?
Will he make the Oilers roster next year?
If he does, will Mike Comrie still be here wearing his number (91)?

For Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, prior to being drafted, he was known to be a speedy skilled winger with some Euro flair. Questions did linger about his finishing ability along with his defensive acumen. Unlike most of his draft year peers who played in the OHL prior to the draft, Magnus was already playing hockey with men in the Swedish Elite League (SEL). His low point production reflects the fact that he was playing limited minutes in a tough men's scoring league.

Hockey’s Future Talent Analysis:

Pääjärvi Svensson is a very speedy and skilled winger. His acceleration is top notch and what really characterizes his game is the way he drives to the net. In full speed, he gets around the opposing defenseman with ease and usually gets the puck on the net with a quick wrist-shot. Offensively, he is also blessed with above average hockey sense, nice technical skills and the ability to set up his teammates with passes. He is a creative player with smarts that usually scores quite spectacular goals and does things that are hard for the defensemen to read.
Defensively, he has throughout his career as a junior been considered as a sloppy player with not enough willingness to back check and to the dirty work.

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson – Tale of the Tape

•    Team: Timra IK – Swedish Elite league / Edmonton Oilers.
•    Position: Left Wing
•    Player number: 91 - His birth year just like Sam Ganger and Patrick Kane.
•    Birthday: April 12, 1991 - Norrkoping, Sweden – Age 18
•    Size: 6’1” tall – 201 lbs

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson – Point Production Tracker

2008-9 (Timra): GP: 50, G7, A10, P17, PIM 4, PPG .34 / GPG .14
2009-10: (Timra): GP: 23, G7, A8, P15, PIM 0. PPG .65 / GPG .30

At this point, it’s difficult to find a comparative based on his size and style of play. However, he seems to have answered any potential lingering questions about his scoring touch. So far, he’s doubled his goal production (GPG-goals per game) while nearly doubling his total point production (PPG-points per game).

Already, Magnus has his own website: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson Offical Website. Will he play for the Oilers next season? Well, that remains to be determined, but I would expect to at least see him at the Oilers next training camp. By his penality minute numbers, he certainly doesn't seem to be a physical player. Yet, at just 18, he's already bigger than most of the Oilers' younger, skilled players. Having the combination of decent size, good foot speed, and skill should suggest that it's very possible depending on the Oilers' roster situation next season.

Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson – Video Highlights:

Comments (4) Add Comment

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written by RyanB, November 24, 2009

MPS looks to be another solid draft pick for the Oilers reversing the trend of years past with so many squandered first round picks. For him to crack this lineup next year though I think the Oilers will need to make some serious roster moves to open up a spot for him to battle for in camp. There are already too many forwards on this team and we're going to have Eberle in the mix next season too. If he isn't able to grab a roster spot next season do you think the Oil would want to play him in Springfield or have him return to the SEL?

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written by Jay-, November 24, 2009

Ryan, I agree with your thoughts about MPS. The Oilers were also quite fortunate or lucky to be able to pick him up at the 10th spot too.

As to your question about the SEL or AHL, the first issue to consider is MPS' age. Unlike Jordan Eberle who has to be 20-years-old by December 31st of that season's year to play in the AHL, I believe that the requirements are different for Euros. From what I understand, this is because the CHL has an agreement with the AHL.

I think the decisions regarding MPS next year brings forward quite a complex issue for Oilers management. Ultimately, much of it will depend on whether or not they think that he's ready to play in the NHL or not. After that, there's certainly development issues as well as contract issues--not to mention where on the roster he might actually be able to play on.

There's certainly a number of pros and cons of players developing in either the SEL or AHL. For starters, the SEL is a less physical league which is important if his physical development isn't quite ready for the rigors of either the AHL or NHL. Yet, it's also a somewhat different style of hockey.

To me, the primary advantage of him playing in the AHL if he's close to NHL ready, is that with injuries, the Oilers could call him up to get his feet wet in the NHL.

I guess that I will hedge my answer to your question. If he's not quite NHL ready, then let's be patient and let him develop in the SEL. If he's NHL ready and able to make a big impact on the team, then you have to consider playing him despite the contract issues (advances his UFA eligibility by starting in the NHL at a young age). If he's somewhere in between, then it might depend on roster issues.

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written by RyanB, November 25, 2009

I had completely forgotten about the age issue with AHL players. On HFBoards I found a fairly good explanation of the agreement (http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=403429). Assuming that the poster is correct then you'd also be right in your assumption that he could play in the AHL.

There are pro and cons to having MPS play next season in either the AHL or SEL. I'd probably prefer to see him in the AHL simply because he'd have better access to franchise resources and the Oilers could ensure that he was working on the parts of his game that they feel are most important. That being said since he isn't dismantling the SEL right now another year across the ocean probably wouldn't hurt either.

One thing you can almost guarantee though is that regardless of what the final decision is it will somehow blow up for the Oilers. That just seems to be how their luck is these days.

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written by Jay, November 25, 2009

Hahah, yeah my thoughts were leaning towards the AHL too.

With the Oilers' luck, maybe he will end up playing on Moscow Dynamo with Linus Omark next year. smilies/angry.gif