While we know who will go first overall at the 2023 NHL Draft, there is some question who the second name off the board will be. And while many expect that to be Michigan's Adam Fantilli, no one should sleep on Swedish centre Leo Carlsson.
A big body centre with the capability to play the wing and create offence everywhere, Carlsson is challenging for the No. 2 spot and finished strong with a good showing at the senior men's World Championship.
So will he go No. 2? And, if not, will he go third or fall a little and provide some lucky team with great value?
For more on the player we turn to Sam Cosentino and Jason Bukala...
Sam Cosentino on the player: His play, mostly at centre and on the first line for Sweden at the men’s worlds, furthered the thought he could play centre in the NHL, too. And that’s important, considering centres intrinsically have more value in the draft. Add in his 6-foot-3, 198-pound frame and teams will be looking at a top two line centre, which is an extremely important asset for anyone to have.
Carlsson’s 10 goals and 25 points with SHL Orebro measures up with the likes of the Sedins and Nicklas Backstrom, amongst others, in terms of numbers for an SHL player in their first year of NHL draft eligibility. Carlsson finished sixth in the SHL playoffs with nine points in 13 games.
Carlsson is effective in a number of ways. He skates well and has excellent vision, which identifies him to lean more as a playmaker than shooter. He possesses the poise and patience to slow the game down when required. Carlsson can make plays at pace and shoot the puck well enough to be respected as a scoring option.
His versatility makes him a solid option, especially if he comes over to play in the NHL right away where the responsibilities at centre may be too much to handle at 19. In any event, he is responsible enough away from the puck where he’s not a liability defensively.
In this manner, he compares to Tim Stutzle, who played mostly wing in the DEL and bounced back to centre when playing in his peer group. Stutzle is now an NHL star at centre, and I project this to be the case for Carlsson down the road. There’s also the bloodline, where Carlsson’s father Kenneth played professionally in the Division 1 ranks, and his older brother Casper currently plays minor pro.
Jason Bukala's scouting report: Power forward in the sense that he’s a big body who is hard to defend and knock off the play.
Smooth skater. Great glide. Extends plays along the wall. Goes to the net setting screens and looking for second chances. Leans distributor, but his shot cannot be discounted.
Reliable three-zone awareness. Can play the wing and the middle. Top line NHL upside.
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