Jimmy Hamrin Projects Dahlén, Handemark’s NHL Impact

Jimmy Hamrin isn’t too worried about Jonathan Dahlén’s pointless Karjala Cup.

“The good news for Sharks fans is that he showed he can play on that level. He can create chances. He was in those games. He wasn’t invisible,” the McKeen’s Hockey Swedish scout said of Dahlén’s performance. Hamrin thinks the Karjala Cup compares favorably with the highest level of SHL hockey and the tournament actually demonstrated where Dahlén’s game has grown most in the past year: “The strength side, he looks much better this season. That showed also in this tournament. He looks stronger. He can’t be pushed around anymore. If he has the puck, he can hold onto it.”

Hamrin also shared a nuanced opinion about the San Jose Sharks prospect’s skating during this Locked on Sharks podcast — listen to the entire interview below — comparing it to his dad Ulf Dahlén’s: “The explosiveness, I don’t know if he will ever be an explosive player. He is what he is. The agility is his best skating asset.

“He skates with kind of a weird style. Kind of like his dad, with his feet apart like Charlie Chaplin. He’s so elusive in the offensive zone.

“If he makes it to the NHL, he won’t be able to beat players with just speed. He needs to use his brain — his brain also is his best tool.”

All said, Hamrin believes the 22-year-old can make an instant NHL impact and has 20-goal potential, though he sounded this note of caution: “The risk with him is he needs that power play time. You can’t put him in any other role. He’s an offensive-minded player that needs to have an offensive role. Those slots are pretty tough to get in the NHL.

“With this kind of player, they either make the NHL and do well in that role or they become a big-scoring AHL or European player. There’s nothing in between. You won’t slot him in a forechecking third or fourth line role. He needs to play offense.”

On the other side of the coin, Hamrin thinks Fredrik Handemark’s NHL future is more on the defensive side of the puck, “He’s a really strong centerman. Could be a really good fourth-line center in the NHL. He moves well, he’s big, plays really well defensively, well on both sides of the puck.”

Of course, in Joel Kellman, the San Jose Sharks already have a fourth-line Swedish centerman.

“I like Handemark better than Kellman,” Hamrin admitted. “[Kellman] is smaller, maybe a little bit more skilled, they’re both very smart. But the size, the all-around game is stronger with Handemark.”

Finally, Hamrin offered a scouting report on under-the-radar 2020 seventh-round pick Linus Oberg: “He was a smart pick. Oberg is more an energy player. Late bloomer. Not a high-end skill talent. He has worked really hard to earn spots on the World Juniors team, a SHL spot.”

Erik, JD, and Sheng Peng from San Jose Hockey Now are joined by McKeen’s Hockey scout Jimmy Hamrin to break down Jonathan Dahlén’s Karjala Cup. Jimmy talks about how Dalhén’s strength has improved (11:00), his longer development track (13:00), and what to expect from him the rest of this season (18:00). Then, Jimmy gives us updates on other San Jose Sharks prospects, including Handemark and Oberg (21:00), before finishing up with a quick preview of some of the top 2021 Draft-eligible players from Sweden. Check out the podcast on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Also check out Jimmy’s podcast The Future of Hockey!

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