Center Linus Olund, the Penguins' fifth-round pick in 2017, is settling into his first professional season in North America with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
As far as the culture goes, the native of Gälve, Sweden doesn't think he's had to make too much of an adjustment. He likes the city, and the people are nice just like back home. He's not quite used to the food yet, though.
While Olund has briefly played in North America before for different international tournaments, the 21-year-old has spent his entire junior career and professional career thus far back home in Sweden. Playing in the AHL, he's had to adjust to a different style of play and a smaller ice surface than he's used to.
"It's definitely different," Olund said. "The game, the style of play over here, it's different. You've got less time with the puck, you make decisions much quicker ... I feel like I'm getting used to the game more and more every game. I feel like I'm developing and can make more plays every game."
One of the bigger adjustments for Olund has been the physicality of the North American style of play. At 5-feet-11 and 185 pounds, he's facing off against many players bigger than he is. He's never been one to get very physical himself, but over here, he knows he has to be prepared.
"For me, you've got to be aware here," he said. "Because you're going to get hit here no matter what."
Through 20 games this season, Olund has recorded five assists and two goals:
While Clark Donatelli has shuffled his lines throughout the season, Olund has primarily played a bottom-6 role. While the player lining up to the left of Olund has rotated, the man to his right, fellow Swede Tobias Lindberg, has remained rather constant. Olund had the primary assist on Lindberg's second goal of the season earlier this month:
Lindberg, who is in his fourth professional season in North America, has been a big part of helping Olund become acclimated to the AHL. They both played junior hockey in the Swedish system, which means they both learned to play the same strong two-way game that Swedes are known for.
"Growing up we learned how to play a different style," Olund said of Lindberg. "I think we both know what each other wants to do on the ice. He's a good player."
Olund also credited Lindberg with helping him get comfortable off the ice, saying that it helps to be able to speak Swedish with someone else sometimes.
For the remainder of the season, Olund wants to work on getting stronger. He wants to be able to use his body more in his game, and be more comfortable in protecting the puck. One of his biggest strengths has always been his two-way game, and he'll look to improve that in his rookie year.
"(The coaches) want me to develop, grow my game," he said. "They brought me here, they drafted me for a reason, that I've done something good over in Sweden. I'm just going to keep doing that and take my responsibility in the defensive end and make some plays offensively."
Another goal of Olund's this season? Make it out to the nearest Ikea. The Swedish-based chain doesn't just sell furniture, they also have a market of Swedish food. He's already done his research on the nearest locations in Philadelphia and New York, and plans on making a stop soon for a taste of home.
"I really want to just to walk around and see some Swedish stuff," Olund said. "I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to do it quick."
MORE FROM WILKES-BARRE
• Nov. 23: at Springfield, 4-3 overtime loss
• Nov. 24: vs. Hershey, 3-2 loss
• Nov. 25: vs. Providence, 4-2 loss
• With Tristan Jarry in Pittsburgh, John Muse was called up to Wilkes-Barre to back up Anthony Peters.
• Sam Miletic returned from injury on Friday after being out of the lineup since Oct. 27.
• Defenseman Tim Erixon, in Wilkes-Barre on a tryout deal since the beginning of the season, played his first game on Sunday. Erixon, a first-round pick of the Flames in 2009, previously spent two seasons in Wilkes-Barre from 2015-17. He has 93 games of NHL experience, and 304 games of AHL experience.
• Wilkes-Barre and Springfield traded leads on Friday, with goals from Joseph Cramarossa, Teddy Blueger, and Ethan Prow. A delay of game penalty by Sam Lafferty at the end of regulation put Wilkes-Barre shorthanded in overtime, and Springfield scored the game-winner just over a minute in. Wilkes-Barre's special teams struggled throughout the game, as they have for most of the season. They scored one power play goal on five attempts, and allowed Springfield to score two power plays on four attempts. Wilkes-Barre also allowed 43 shots from Springfield, including 25 in the second period alone. Peters stood tall in the loss, making 39 saves.
• Hershey opened the scoring on Saturday in the second period. Thomas Di Pauli scored the Penguins' first goal at 12.28 of the second period, and Hershey answered just over a minute later. Hershey extended its lead midway through the third period. Kevin Czuczman scored his first goal of the season in the final minute, but the comeback effort fell short. The power play was again abysmal, going scoreless in five attempts. Hershey went 1-for-4 on their power play. Muse, in his AHL season debut, stopped 31 of 34 shots. Saturday marked four consecutive one-goal losses for Wilkes-Barre.
• Sunday's game was tied 1-1 after the first period, after a power play goal from Adam Johnson. Two Bruins goals in a span of 1:05 in the second period made the difference for Providence. Jarrett Burton added a goal in the third, but that was all Wilkes-Barre had left. Peters stopped 15 of 18 shots in the loss.
• Wilkes-Barre is 20th in the league in average attendance this season, averaging just 4,530 fans a game, the lowest average since the team's inception in 1999. Last season, Wilkes-Barre averaged 5,557 fans a game.
• Angello leads the team in goals, with seven in 18 games.
• Lafferty leads the team in assists, with 10 in 20 games.
• Blueger became the new team leader in points, with 14 in 20 games
• Lines and defense pairings from Sunday:
Thomas Di Pauli – Teddy Blueger – Jimmy Hayes
Joseph Cramarossa – Sam Lafferty – Anthony Angello
Sam Miletic– Linus Olund – Ryan Haggerty
Pat McGrath – Jarrett Burton – Adam Johnson
Kevin Czuczman – Ethan Prow
Stefan Elliott – Will O’Neill
Jeff Taylor – Tim Erixon
• After this week, the Penguins have a record of 8-8-3-1. They fell one spot to sixth in the Atlantic Division. The power play fell to 14.9 percent, and the penalty kill fell to 74.2 percent.
• The Penguins have a busy week ahead. They'll close out November with trips to visit the Hershey Bears (9-10-0-1) on Wednesday, and the Rochester Americans (12-5-2) on Friday. They'll visit the Toronto Marlies (7-7-2-2) on Saturday.
GOALS OF THE WEEK
Cramarossa's goal was his first of the year:
Blueger fired this shot:
Di Pauli was in the right spot for this one:
Czuczman's tally was redirected off the hand of a Hershey player, who definitely felt it:
Johnson showed off his hands:
Burton scored this backhander:
SAVE OF THE WEEK
Peters is holding down the fort:
WILKES-BARRE FUN THING
Former Penguins Ryan Lannon and Tim Wallace are both now playing for and coaching the Milton Keynes Lightning in England:
Meet your new @smith_recycling @MKLightning Player Coaches: Ryan Lannon & Tim Wallace ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/83JSr3Avqg
— MK Lightning (@MKLightning) November 23, 2018
