David Rundblad set to make NHL debut tonight

by DarrenM on Oct 11, 2011 3:01 PM EDT in Ottawa Senators prospects

Over the past 12 months, I'm not sure any Ottawa Senators prospect has received as much hype as David Rundblad. Rundblad wasn't a top-ten pick like Jared Cowen or Mika Zibanejad, but his stellar play in Sweden has had Senators fans salivating for a while. Tonight, Senators fans will finally get to see the man known in Sweden as "Magic Number Seven" as he laces up for his first regular season NHL game.

Rundblad was a 17th overall pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The next year, the Senators traded their 16th overall pick to the Blues to acquire him. Rundblad was coming off of a mediocre World Junior Hockey Championship and a 13 point season in the SEL, so Senators fans were a bit perplexed with the move, particularly with the Senators already having a number of defensive prospects in the system.

David Rundblad

#7 / Defenseman / Ottawa Senators

Height: 6-2

Weight: 190

Born: Oct 08, 1990

All questions were answered when Rundblad put up 50 points in 55 games, good for third amongst all SEL players. It was the second highest point total by a defenseman in league history. He was awarded the Salming Trophy as the league's best defenseman. Yes, he did this as a 20-year old defenseman. You can see why Senators fans started to get excited.

Although Rundblad's offensive skills cannot be denied, his defensive game does raise concern. He struggled in the preseason by making too many moves in dangerous areas, or not being in the proper position in his own zone. For this reason, Paul MacLean sat Rundblad in the press box during the Senators' first two games of the season, so he could watch the speed and style of the NHL to prepare.

As long as he wasn't taking any pointers from the Senators' blueline during those games, he should be just fine tonight.

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Looking forward to his start

Now if only we can let him get his feet wet then rotate Phillips, Kuba and Gonchar into the press box, the better off we’ll be. Rundlad certainly isn’t gonna make us worse!

by west-sider on Oct 11, 2011 3:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Not sure how he'll do tonight

To be honest, I know little about the Minnesota Wild’s team dynamic, so I’m not sure what to expect. Still, hopefully a couple of games watching showed Rundblad a thing or two about what might happen, and he’s better for it.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 11, 2011 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

I think it’s worth giving him some taste of the NHL, both from the press box and from the ice level, but if he doesn’t spend time in Bingo, it would be a mistake. He needs to see and experience the reality and then go down and rpepare for it. In the long run we’ll all be the better for it.

In the same vein, is the SEL the only alternative for Mikachu, or is it possible to send him to B-town? In other words, is the SEL his preference to the NHL or do the Sens have the option of insisting on AHL?

by Be_rad on Oct 11, 2011 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

From my understanding, Z-Bad’s contract with Djurgardens says he either plays with Djurgardens or in the NHL. I don’t think they can send him to the AHL.

I think Rundblad should go to the AHL for a brief stint, much like Karlsson did in his rookie year. It worked wonders for Karlsson… could do the same for Rundblad.

Co-manager, Silver Seven

by DarrenM on Oct 11, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

A short stint in the AHL so he can get used to the ice and the game, and then dominate when he comes back up. Same as what I’d suggest for Cowen to be honest. It’s an intense game, and a few in the AHL will help them when they get to the NHL.

by The Tif on Oct 11, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Cowen already had a short AHL stint (the playoffs last year)

and has been playing North American hockey his whole life. I don’t think it’s as important for Cowen.

Co-manager, Silver Seven

by DarrenM on Oct 11, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

It would also offer time for the logjam on defence to be resolved

Unless someone is injured soon, I’d expect Rundblad to be demoted fairly soon—certainly by the time Carkner returns.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 12, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Really excited to see him

I don’t expect miracles, but I still believe he’s going to be great.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Oct 11, 2011 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Me too!

I’m going to the game tonight. Disappointed Filatov isn’t playing, but excited to see Zibanejad and Rundblad play.

by sensory_experience on Oct 11, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder how much he could pick up from the box?

Watching two games, seeing it live, I wonder if he is modifying his mental game. Combined with practice, I think he could have a solid game tonight.

I’M STILL JUST RIDICULOUSLY HAPPY HOCKEY IS BACK ON!!

by The Tif on Oct 11, 2011 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

I'd hope so

I haven’t had a chance to watch him live, but his play reminds me a lot of Karlsson’s rookie year — You can see what he’s thinking, he just doesn’t know how to do it correctly at this speed yet. Once he figures that out, I expect him to be fine. If he understands what he’s supposed to do and got to watch a few games with his teammates and see them, he can start doing mental reps.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Oct 11, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions