NHL Features
Prospect and NHL Draft News: Top European Players – Sweden
Sweden has several potential NHL 1st round picks for the 2020 draft, including two forwards being discussed in the top 10.
Today, we transition from the CHL into the European pool of prospects beginning with Sweden. The Swedes have four players that could be taken as 1st round NHL choices this October.
At the top of the Swedish list are two potential top 10 picks – Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz. I was fortunate enough to see these players at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup here in Edmonton during the 2018 tournament. Both Raymond and Holtz are 2002 born players, and were playing a year younger than the rest of the tournament. That age difference did not matter for either player as they were electric.
2 Top 10 Swedes
Lucas Raymond: Gothenburg – Frölunda HC
The right-shot, left winger from Gothenburg is a legitimate talent with excellent tools and vision. Raymond played the last two seasons with Frölunda of the Swedish Hockey League (SweHL). Frölunda is the same club that produced 2018 first overall choice, Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres. Raymond could be a top 5 selection in 2020. In fact, several draft analysts have even suggested Raymond will not get past the Detroit Red Wings who have the 4th selection.
Alexander Holtz: Stockholm – Djurgårdens IF Hockey
Not far behind Raymond will be Stockholm’s, Alexander Holtz. The elite skating sharpshooter has been labelled as one of the purest goal scorers available in this draft. During 36 games with Djurgårdens in the SweHL, the 18-year-old Holtz had nine goals and seven assists. Holtz could likely be a top 10 selection in October.
With not a lot separating the two right-handed Swedish wingers, Raymond and Holtz, it will be exciting to watch their careers unfold.
Potential Top Round Swedes
Two other Swedish prospects to track in the second half of the 1st round are forward Noel Gunler, and defender William Walinder.
Noel Gunler: Luleå – Luleå HF
The late 2001 born Gunler plays for his hometown Luleå team in the SweHL. Gunler’s offensive numbers were similar to Raymond and Holtz who played in the same Swedish Hockey League – four goals and nine assists in 45 games. Another right-handed winger, Gunler is listed between 6′ and 6’2 depending on the source. TSN’s Craig Button has compared Gunler with Tyler Toffoli of the Vancouver Canucks. Some European analysts feel Gunler is underrated, but he is still expected to be taken in 2nd half of the 1st round this October.
William Wallinder: Sollefteå – MODO (U-20)
The lone defender from Sweden’s top end prospect group is left-hander William Wallinder. While the MODO defenceman does not show up as a first round pick in every draft ranking, Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino placed Wallinder at pick 24 during his June mock draft. Cosentino has also stated that Wallinder has “Excellent mobility for his size (6-foot-4). Shows poise and patience in his decision making.” Considering that Sollefteå is an NHL player factory, Wallinder could be a late 1st round gem.
With the Stanley Cup Final series starting tonight between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Lightning, the draft excitement should begin to pick up steam. The first round is now only 17 days out!
Stay tuned for more Prospect and Draft features leading up to October 6th.
NEXT: Prospect and NHL Draft News: New Jersey Devil Options
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