What the Swedish WJC team should look like
It’s been a dry spell for the Swedish WJC teams of late. For three straight years, “Juniorkronorna” (Junior Crowns) have left the tournament empty-handed, despite making it to the semifinals all three times!
This year, they clearly have the talent to go all the way, or at least break that frustrating streak of bronze medal game losses. The defense will be packed with skill and up front, coach Tomas Montén will be able to put four lines that can score on the ice. As always in these tournaments, however, so will probably at least four other coaches, so Swedish success is not by any means given.
But what will the Swedish WJC team look like? Tomorrow, Montén will present his selection camp roster, but I’ll take it one step further here and give you the 23 players I think should be on the Swedish roster when the tournament opens on December 26th. It consist of three goalies, seven defensemen and 13 forwards.
Filip Gustavsson. Photo: Bildbyrån/Anders Bjurö
GOALIES
Filip Gustavsson, Luleå (55th overall 2016, Pittsburgh)
Filip Larsson, Tri-City Storm (USHL) (167th overall 2016, Detroit)
Olle Eriksson Ek, Färjestad J20 (153rd overall 2017, Anaheim)
No surprises here. Filip Gustavsson is pretty much set as the starter as he’s getting regular action in the SHL and is doing pretty good. Filip Larsson, who’s been a standout in the USHL this season, should serve as his backup. As for the third-string goalie, Sweden usually selects someone who has a good chance of being the starter next season. Olle Eriksson Ek, the younger brother of Minnesota Wild center Joel, looks like that netminder this year.
Rasmus Dahlin. Photo: Bildbyrån/Michael Erichsen
DEFENSEMEN
Rasmus Dahlin, Frölunda (eligible for 2018)
Had a sheltered role on last year’s Swedish team. This year, he’ll be the one of the cogs on the blueline. Has had a tremendous fall with Frölunda of the SHL, and it’ll probably take a nuclear crisis for him not to be first overall in next year’s draft. Skilled beyond anything I’ve ever seen in Swedish hockey at that age.
Filip Westerlund, Frölunda (44th overall 2017, Arizona)
The dependable youngster hasn’t played a whole lot of SHL hockey this season, but should still make the team thanks to the impressive combination of poise and calmness that’s instilled in his game. Could be the perfect partner for teammate and good buddy Dahlin.
Erik Brännström, HV71 (15th overall 2017, Vegas)
His offensive output this far might not impress anyone, but the most important take away from Brännström’s game has been the progress he has done defensively during the fall. Plays a solid 16-17 minutes a game in the top league.
Timothy Liljegren, Toronto (AHL) (17th overall 2017, Toronto)
At this point last year, Liljegren had hardly played at all because of his bout with mono. This year, it’s quite a different story. He’s been taking a lot of steps in the right direction with the Marlies. Coach Montén really likes what he has seen from the youngest defenseman in the AHL. Should play a key role on the Swedish power play.
Linus Högberg, Växjö (139th overall 2016, Philadelphia)
Has played well enough to get a regular shift with SHL powerhouse Växjö this season. Is averaging almost 14 minutes per game, but that number has increased over the year. Smooth-skating two-way defender who scored his first SHL goal last week. And it was indeed pretty.
Jacob Moverare, Mississauga (OHL) (112th overall 2016, Los Angeles)
Skating has been a bit of an issue, but Moverare’s hard work during his time in Mississauga seems to be paying off. Provides the team with defensive stability. Was the last player to get cut from last year’s team.
Adam Boqvist, Brynäs J20 (eligible for 2018)
Behind Rasmus Dahlin, one of the most exciting defensemen in the upcoming draft. Boqvist has only had a few cups of coffee in the SHL this far, but has been dominating the Swedish junior circuit with ten goals and 17 points in 16 games. Could be used as a power play specialist and in a sheltered 5 v 5 role on this team.
Lias Andersson. Photo: Bildbyrån/Michael Erichsen
CENTERS
Lias Andersson, Frölunda (7th overall 2017, New York Rangers)
Had a tough time in the SHL after returning from New York Rangers’ camp. But during the last month, he’s been a force to be reckoned with. Has nine points in his last eight games and is contributing on the power play. Will most probably wear the “C” for Sweden.
Fredrik Karlström, Linköping (90th overall 2016, Dallas)
His ice-time has been scarce, early this season, but Karlström always seem to bring his A game to the international tournaments and since he’s a returning player, he should have a key role on this team. A smart center with good reach and playmaking ability.
Linus Lindström, Skellefteå (96th overall 2016, Calgary)
Skilled playmaker who is still looking for his identity in the SHL. Has received more and more ice-time as the season has progressed, but is still not putting up the numbers. Good thing is that he usually does that when he plays internationally. Has had good chemistry with Tim Söderlund over the years.
Marcus Davidsson, Djurgården (37th overall 2017, Buffalo)
Started the season with Djurgården’s junior team, but has been a solid contributor since grabbing on to a spot on the team. Leads one of the most entertaining lines in the SHL with older brother Jonathan and Axel Jonsson Fjällby.
Elias Pettersson. Photo: Bildbyrån/Simon Hastegård
WINGERS
Elias Pettersson, Växjö (5th overall 2017, Vancouver)
No one would ever have envisioned just how good Elias Pettersson would be in the SHL this year. As a 19 year-old, he’s setting the league on fire and leads it in scoring with 31 points in 24 games. He’s indeed playing on a very good, skilled team and is getting a lot of ice-time on the best power play in the league, but he might as well be one of the reasons it’s so good. Is coming to Buffalo to get revenge after a rather subpar tournament in Montréal last year, when he wasn’t much of a factor at all.
Isac Lundeström, Luleå (eligible for 2018)
Great skater with soft hands who’s not afraid to drive to the net. Plays almost 16 minutes per game in the SHL and has shown that his offensive game works fine against grown men too. Should be a top-20 pick in the draft next summer.
Jesper Boqvist, Brynäs (36th overall 2017, New Jersey)
A broken wrist in September almost derailed the speedy wingers chances of going to the WJC. But he made his comeback not long ago and should be able to get lost of the rust before the tournament starts. Shifty, quick and unpredictable.
Alexander Nylander, Rochester (AHL) (8th overall 2016, Buffalo)
While Jesper Bratt probably won’t be released by the New Jersey Devils due to his unexpected success in the NHL, there’s a good chance Alex Nylander will be able to participate in his third straight WJC. He missed the first two months of the season with a groin injury and unless the Buffalo Sabres recalls him, which seem unlikely at this point, he should be in the Swedish lineup when the tournament starts. Considering just how bad the Sabres have been this season, the team should at least give their fans the treat of watching Nylander play a few extra games on home ice.
Tim Söderlund, Skellefteå (112th overall 2017, Chicago)
A Viktor Arvidsson clone. Small in stature, but fast, skilled and relentless. Söderlund has shown a nice scoring touch this season. Is not getting a whole lot of ice-time, but still making most of what he’s given. Had a pretty good tournament last year.
Fabian Zetterlund, Färjestad (63rd overall 2017, New Jersey)
Physical, grinding forward with a great right-handed shoot and a lot of speed to burn. A modern bottom-six guy who adds energy to the lineup.
Axel Jonsson Fjällby, Djurgården (147th overall 2016, Washington)
Probably one of the fastest players in the tournament. Jonsson Fjällby has been a treat to watch in the SHL this season. Not a big scorer, but a player who retrieves a lot of pucks through his ferocious forechecks. Has developed a great chemistry with Marcus Davidsson.
Oskar Steen, Färjestad (165th overall 2016, Boston)
Small, fast and tenacious. Steen is another diminutive Swedish forward with a great motor and a scoring touch.
Glenn Gustafsson, Örebro (eligible for 2018)
Not picked in any of the last two drafts, but was invited by the Toronto Maple Leafs to their development camp last summer. Hard worker who seems to be a fit anywhere you use him. Is the younger brother of Chicago Blackhawks’ defenseman Erik Gustafsson.
Rasmus Sandin. Photo: Bildbyrån/Simon Eliasson
Notable omissions: On defense, Sebastian Walfridsson, Jesper Sellgren and Jakob Stenqvist are three names that stick out. All three played together and won the Swedish junior championship with Modo last year. The offensively gifted Stenqvist, drafted by Dallas, signed with Frölunda and was loaned to Björklöven of Hockeyallsvenskan. Adam Thilander, North Bay Battalion, and potential first-rounder Rasmus Sandin, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, are putting up good numbers in the OHL. All five are victims of the murderous competition on the back end.
Up front, the draft eligible duo of Filip Hållander and Jacob Olofsson, Timrå, have shone brightly in Hockeyallsvenskan. Vegas prospect Lucas Elvenes has basically been a point per game player in the same league and Columbus prospect Emil Bemström has been impressive every time he’s been called upon internationally. Linus Weissbach has had a great start to the season under Tony Granato’s reign at the University of Wisconsin of the NCAA while power forward Hugo Leufvenius‘ game has evolved after leaving Sweden to play with Sarnia Sting of the OHL. Draft eligible two-way center David Gustafsson, HV71, is another under-aged player who has performed admirably.
Uffe Bodin – @UffeBodin