2022 NHL Draft: Scandinavian Prospect Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 7, 2022.

Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (SM Liiga) Projected Round Top 5 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 6-4 225 lb Juraj Slafkovsky had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points in 31 regular season games against men in Finland in his 31 career Liiga games. Slafkovsky showcased the versatility to play left wing, center, and right wing mainly lining up as a second line right winger on a TPS team that made the Championship round in Liiga where he had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 7 points in 18 Playoff games. Slafkovsky is now considered the consensus top International prospect in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Juraj Slafkovsky SWOT Report

Strengths: Slafkovsky has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL.

He excellent hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: His biggest weakness heading into this season was improving upper body strength. This was something Juraj Slafkovsky addressed meaning he has hardly any weaknesses just like Shane Wright.

Opportunities: 1. Montreal Canadiens, 2. New Jersey Devils, and 3. Arizona Coyotes. I doubt Juraj Slafkovsky gets past the New Jersey Devils at 2.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Juraj Slafkovsky. Like Shane Wright, he's a pretty safe prospect.

Potential Grade: 96/99

Before 2021

The 6-4 225 lb Juraj Slafkovsky is from Slovakia, but plays for TPS in Finland. He's the biggest left winger to enter the NHL Draft since Alexander Ovechkin the first pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Slafkovsky impressed in the World Junior Championships last year before earning a promotion from the TPS Under 18-Team to the TPS Under 20-Team where he had 8 goals, 5 assists, 13 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 16 regular season games for the TPS Under 20-Team.

Juraj Slafkovsky will play against men this year. He will play against grown men in Finland rather than players his own age which is something that Brad Lambert has done for the past two seasons. Slafkovsky has a chance to sneak into the top 5 with a strong season.

Slovakia has made the biggest statement at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup defeating USA 5-2 before embarassing Germany 12-2. Juraj Slafkovsky is playing like a man on mission determined to crack the top 5.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (SM Liiga) Projected Round Top 10 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 5-11 176 lb Joakim Kemell only had 1 goal in 1 game on JYP's main roster against men in 2020-2021. Kemell had 15 goals, 8 assists, and 23 points on JYP's main roster against men in 2021-2022.

Joakim Kemell SWOT Report

Strengths: Joakim Kemell has the speed, skating, agility, playmaking, sniping, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, release, offensive awareness, hockey IQ, stick handling, ability to dominate on the power play, ability to dominate as a penalty killer, and ability to win faceoffs. He's a sniper with amazing hands and elite stick handling that can do everything you want a line 1 right winger to do on tape.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his defensive awareness. This is the one thing Joakim Kemell needs to do. Everything else is there.

Opportunities: 7. Chicago Blackhawks, 8. Detroit Red Wings, 9. Buffalo Sabres, 10. Anaheim Ducks, and 11. San Jose Sharks. Joakim Kemell is a top 11 player if he falls in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, it will be due to the medicals at the 2022 NHL Combine.

Threats: Joakim Kemell fatigues sometimes. Some question his stamina, but I think that concern is being overblown. He also missed a month due to his injury, so if the medicals don't check out, he might drop in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Potential Grade: 92/99

Before 2021

The 5-11 176 lb Joakim Kemell only had 1 goal in 1 game on JYP's main roster against men in 2020-2021. He was a line 2 right winger behind Brad Lambert. Joakim Kemell has to find a way to separate himself from Lambert if he wants to make a splash in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien) Projected Round Top 10 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 5-10 178 lb The 5-11 172 lb Jonathan Lekkerimaki Jonathan Lekkerimaki had 7 goals, 2 assists, and 9 points in 2021-2022 as a line 2 right winger next to San Jose Sharks 2021 first round pick William Eklund who played both left winger and center on Djurgardens IF's second line. Jonathan Lekkerimaki was a top 10 player on my big board.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki SWOT Report

Strengths: Jonathan Lekkerimaki has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: Jonathan Lekkerimaki needs to get stronger. That's the one thing he needs to do.

Opportunities: 8. Detroit Red Wings, 10. Anaheim Ducks, 11. San Jose Sharks, 12. Columbus Blue Jackets, and 13. New York Islanders. Jonathan Lekkerimaki is a top 10 talent, but figuring out where he goes was the biggest variable here.

Threats: There are no threats with Jonathan Lekkerimaki. This was a pretty safe player to draft.

Potential Grade: 91/99

Before 2021

The 5-11 172 lb Jonathan Lekkerimaki would be an ideal player for the Detroit Red Wings to get as a replacement to second line right winger. Jonathan Lekkerimaki had 8 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points as a line 2 center on the Djurgardens IF Under 20 Team in 2020-2021. Bob McKenzie rated him as the thirteenth best player in October when posting his first rankings for the 2022 NHL Draft. Now he's a consensus top 10 prospect in many mock drafts as well as the consensus best overall prospect from Sweden in this years NHL Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea HF (Elitserien) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 168 lb Fabian Lysell seems like a pure right winger as he had 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points and a -3 +/- ratio in 28 games on Lulea HF. He can play on the first, second, third, or fourth line like William Eklund after I assumed he was mainly a fourth line guy. I'm so glad I rewatched his tape. He's teammates with goalie Jesper Wallstedt as both prospects on Lulea HF in the SHL formely known as Elitserien are top 10 picks.

Devils In The Details Podcast posted a film cut of Fabian Lysell on their Youtube channel. Fabian Lysell should be a top 10 pick so check this out.

Fabian Lysell SWOT Report

Strengths: Fabian Lysell has the skating, wrist shot power, and wrist shot accuracy to be successful in the NHL right now. He reminds me of Jacob Perrault, the Anaheim Ducks 2020 first round pick. He's versatile enough to play left wing or right wing. He could end up being a 30 goal player at some point down the road.

Weaknesses: Honestly, I feel like everything else in his game is a project that needs to be worked on outside of his skating and his wrist shot. Jacob Perreault had a great shot, but the rest of his game needed development after the Ducks took him with their second first round pick that they got in a trade with the Boston Bruins. Lysell will have a better floor than Jacob Perrault if he can develop a slap shot by the end of the season.

Opportunities: 7. San Jose Sharks, 9. Vancouver Canucks, 10. Ottawa Senators, 11. Chicago Blackhawks, and 14. Dallas Stars are all landing spots for Fabian Lysell. Fabian Lysell ranked ninth on my final big board.

Threats: Fabian Lysell is a better defender than his +/- ratio indicates. He's also got some character concerns that are going to cause him to drop despite being a top 10 prospect. There's a lack of humility and some are concerned about his attitude. Remember Noel Gunler was a first line winger last year and he dropped to the second round.

Potential Grade: 86/99

Before 2020

Fabian Lysell has yet to make Lulea HF after playing hockey since 2016-2017. His teammate Jesper Wallstedt finally got called up last season and Lysell should get called up to Lulea HF joining Wallstedt at some point this season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Aatu Raty, C, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 171 lb Aatu Raty prounounced Ratu in Finland was once the favorite to go first overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. That's no longer the case as he's now a consensus top 15 prospect. He finished on a high note after a slow start. Raty had 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, and a 0 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 for Oulun Karpat in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga. He's the top prospect from Finland in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He's also the only player from Finland with a first round grade in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Aatu Raty SWOT Report

Strengths: Aatu Raty is a great skater. He may be the best skating forward in this draft. He can skate forward or backward effectively. He's got the defensive awareness to be an effective defender despite playing center. Knows how to win faceoffs. His wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy got him on the radar back in 2018-2019 when scouts first began to notice Raty.

Weaknesses: Aatu Raty needs to improve his consistency. He also needs to become more disciplined.

Opportunities: 12. Calgary Flames, 13. Philadelphia Flyers, 14. Dallas Stars, 15. New York Rangers, and 16. St. Louis Blues could all be options for Aatu Raty. I have Aatu Raty ranked twenty third on my big board. However, he's probably going to go in the top 15. If he falls to the St. Louis Blues at 16, he'll probably get picked there from a value standpoint.

Threats: Aatu Raty is a third line center or a second line NHL center at best. He's not going to be a first line center that commands repsect from opposing defenders with his presence. He's not going to be a star like Connor McDavid or Nate MacKinnon.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Aatu Raty began playing hockey in 2016-2017. He made his debut with Oulun Karpat in SM Liiga last year posting 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 2019-2020.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Oskar Olausson, LW, HV71 (Elitserien) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 181 lb Oskar Olausson had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points so far with HV71 in 2020-2021. He's versatile enough to play left winger or right winger.

Oskar Olausson SWOT Report

Strengths: Oskar Olausson has great skating along with the best shot in terms of wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy outside of Dylan Guenther in this entire 2021 NHL Draft. The rest of his game still needs to develop. He can fool defenders with a bag of tricks on offense. Good passer.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck. He can be a second line winger on the power play or penalty killing unit.

Weaknesses: His offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ needs to improve. Once Olausson improves his decision making on a more consistent basis he's got a chance to be a really special player for the team that drafts him down the road.

Opportunities: 16. St. Louis Blues, 17. Winnipeg Jets, 18. Edmonton Oilers, 19. Edmonton Oilers, and 20. Boston Bruins are all landing spots for Oskar Olausson. Oscar Oulausson ranked twenty eighth on my personal big board, but I mocked him at 16 back in February, before scouting him extensively so there is a chance he goes earlier than where I projected him.

Threats: Oskar Olausson could be a line 1 star that gets 30 goals, 30 assists, and 60 points a year as a first line left winger or a first line right winger. There aren't really any threats to his game and the fact that he's got the upside to be a big time star is why he could go earlier than where I'm projecting him to go.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Oskar Olausson has played hockey in Sweden since 2015-2016. Heading into 2020, he has yet to make the SHL. If he can do that this season, he's got a great shot to be a first round pick.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Isak Rosen, LW, Leksands IF (Elitserien) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 161 lb Isak Rosen is versatile enough to play left wing or right wing. He only had 1 assist in 22 SHL games in 2020-2021.

Isak Rosen SWOT Report

Strengths: Isak Rosen has excellent skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. There are some areas in his game that he needs to improve, but he should be a first or second line winger in the NHL with the versatility to play both left wing and right wing. At the very worst he will be a third line winger. Finds open ice to exploit. Displays top end speed on offense. He skates well in trnasition and displays impressive puck skills. Isak Rosen is someone who could average 30 goals, 20 assists, and around 50 points per season once he reaches his ceiling.

Weaknesses: Relies too much on his teammates winning puck battles. Can be reactive in the defensive zone. Defensive awareness needs to improve. Stickhandling needs to be refined.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Isak Rosen. Some have him going in the first round.

Threats: Isak Rosen has the floor of a third line winger. He's got the ceiling of a first line winger. If Rosen doesn't reach his ceiling he does come with some risk of being a bust. He should end up being a second line winger in the NHL if you want to get the most out of Isak Rosen.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Isak Rosen has played hockey in Sweden since 2015-2016. He made his SHL debut last season playing one game in the league formerly known as Elitserien.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Simon Robertsson, RW, Skelleftea AIK (Elitserien) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 190 lb Simon Robertsson had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points on Skelleftea AIK in the SHL formerly known as Elitserien. Simon Robertsson was a player I almost forgot to add to my rankings, but when watching his tape he really impressed me with his shot.

Simon Robertsson SWOT Report

Strengths: Simon Robertsson has the wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy to make an impact in the NHL. Great vision for a shooter. He's one of the best snipers in this draft class with a shoot first mentality. He's also got high top end speed and good strength for a winger. He does a great job protecting the puck. Can develop into a first line winger that scores 30 goals a year in the NHL.

Weaknesses: Simon Robertsson needs to improve his passing, creativity on offense, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Simon Robertsson. Some have him going in the first round.

Threats: Simon Robertsson is an elite shooter. The rest of his game outside of his shooting and skating needs to develop.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Simon Robertsson began playing hockey in Sweden in 2016-2017. Three years later he finally got called up to the SHl in 2019-2020 for Skelleftea AIK where he got his first career goal. Robertsson has a great shot and can improve his draft status with another strong season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Samu Tuomaala, RW, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 176 lb Samu Tuomaala is all speed. He finaly made his debut in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga producing 0 points.

Samu Tuomaala SWOT Report

Strengths: Has elite speed and skating. He relies on his speed to make things happen.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve the rest of his game outside of his speed. Once he does this he's got a shot to make an NHL roster down the road.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Samu Tuomaala. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: The fact that he has 0 points in Liiga heading into his draft year does concern me. Oulun Karpat has always been one of the more consistent teams in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga.

Potential Grade: 84/99

Before 2020

Samu Tuomaala has played hockey in Finland since 2016-2017. He's not someone who has made the jump to Oulun Karpat's main roster in Liiga yet. That's my biggest objection with taking him in the first round.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
William Stromgren, C, Modo Hockey (Elitserien) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 176 lb William Stromgren played both center an dleft wing on Modo Hockey this past season. Stromgren had 3 goals, 6 assists, and 9 points in 27 games.

William Stromgren SWOT Report

Strengths: He's a very fast flashy skater with great speed, explosiveness, and athleticism. He has the passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, vision, and hockey IQ that you want a player to have. William Stromgren is also a two-way forward with the versatility to play both center and left wing.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: William Stromgren did pretty good in his draft year. I would have liked to see him face tougher competition though.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on William Stromgren. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: There aren't any threats with William Stromgren. High floor low ceiling player.

Potential Grade: 81/99

Before 2020

William Stromgren has played in Sweden since 2016-2017. He has yet to be promoted to the SHL formerly known as Elitserien.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Samuel Helenius, C, JYP (SM Liiga) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-6 201 lb Samuel Helenius had 7 goals, 7 assists, and 14 points in 2020-2021. Helenius showed a lot of promise on JYP and is considered by most to be a second round pick.

Samuel Helenius SWOT Report

Strengths: Samuel Helenius is a great skater. Skating is his biggest strength. He also excels in defensive play and ability to find open space in the offensive zone.

Weaknesses: Samuel Helenius needs to improve his ability to receive passes. This is the one area of his game he needs to improve.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Samuel Helenius. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: He's considered sort of lean. It wouldn't hurt if he added 5 lbs of muscle to his game.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Samuel Helenius has played hockey in Finland since 2017-2018. He has yet to make JYP's main roster.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Ville Koivunen, RW, Oulun Karpat (SM Liiga) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 165 Ville Kovunen has yet to make Oulun Karpat's main rsoter in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga. He had 23 goals, 26 assists, and 49 points on Karpat's Under-20 team in 2020-2021.

Ville Koivunen SWOT Report

Strengths: Ville Koivunen has the playmaking passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, and hockey IQ that you want a player to have. He's effective defensively as well and extremely aggressive with his forecheck.

Weaknesses: Needs to develop his shot. Could also improve his forechecking.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Ville Koivunen. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: There are no threats with Ville Koivunen. He's a pretty safe prospect.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Ville Koivunen began playing in Finland in 2018-2019. His best season came last year on Oulun Karpat's Under 18-team when he had 27 goals, 44 assists, and 71 points on the Oulun Karpat Under 18-team. He needs to do enough to get promoted to the Oulun Karpat main roster in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Anton Olsson, D, Malmo Redhawks (Elitserien) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 183 lb Anton Olsson had 4 assists and a +2 +/- ratio on the Malmo Redhawks this past season in the SHL formerly known as Elitserien. Anton Olsson is one of the best defenseman from Sweden in this years NHL Draft.

Anton Olsson SWOT Report

Strengths: Anton Olsson has the skating and poise you want a defender to have. Great playmaker and passer. Will dominate on special teams helping out with both your power play and penalty killing units. This two-way defenseman can also play well in shorthanded situations down a man.

Weaknesses: Anton Olsson needs to improve his shot. He also needs to improve his creativity on offense.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Anton Olsson. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: Anton Olsson is a second or third line defender. He's not going to be a first line defenseman in the NHL. You will be able to use him as a second line defenseman on your second line power play or second line penalty killing unit once he finishes developing.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Anton Olsson has played hockey in Sweden since 2015-2016. He still has yet to make the SHL formerly known as Elitserien.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Aleksi Heimosalmi, D, Assat (SM Liiga) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 168 Aleksi Heimosalmi has yet to be promoted to LIiga in Finland formerly known as SM Liiga. He was an alternate captain on Assat's Under 20-team where he had 4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 35 regular season games.

Aleksi Heimosalmi SWOT Report

Strengths: His puckhandling and competitiveness are his two best traits on tape. He's a competent defender who knows how to use his stick on both ends.

Weaknesses: He needs to improve his skating. Mainly his stride while skating. Improving his strength to fill out his frame would also go a long way.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Aleksi Heimosalmi. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: Aleksi Heimosalmi has yet to play on Assat's main roster. This leaves me with the impression that he may be limited to an AHL role, but he's my final prospect with a second round grade.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Aleksi Hiemosalmi got promoted from Assat's Under 18-team to their Under 20-team this past season. If he can get promoted from the Under-20 Team to the Liiga team he can make a strong case to go in the first two rounds of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Liam Dower Nilsson, C, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 176 lb Liam Dower Nilsson played 5 games in the SHL with the Frolunda Indians. He had 0 points in those five games.

Liam Dower Nilsson SWOT Report

Strengths: Liam Dower Nilsson has the passing, playmaking, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want a center to have. He's also got the tools to be a two-way forward who can play at center or the wing.

Weaknesses: His skating needs to improve. Also needs to get stronger. The last thing he needs to improve is his discipline.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Liam Dower Nilsson. He could be selected in the second or third round.

Threats: I don't see any threats. He just needs a year or two to continue to develop in Sweden. I see a third or fourth line center in the NHL once he reaches his ceiling.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Liam Dower Nilsson has played hockey in Sweden since 2015-2016. His uncle Lenny Dower played in Sweden until 2008-2009.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Martin Schreiber, D, Linkopings HC (Elitserien) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 176 lb Martin Schreiber had 0 points in 15 SHL games. Linkopings HC is one of the better teams in the SHL formerly known as Elitserien.

Martin Schreiber SWOT Report

Strengths: Martin Schreiber has the forechecking you want. He knows how to hit hard.

Weaknesses: Needs to develop his entire game offensively. Once he does this he could get a shot on a third line in the NHL.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Martin Schreiber. He should be selected in the third round.

Threats: Right now Martin Schrieber has the floor of a third line AHL defenseman. He has the ceiling of a second line defenseman in the NHL that can be a solid number four defenseman moving forward.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Martin Schreiber has played hockey in Sweden since 2015-2016. He has yet to make the jump to the SHL formerly known as Elitserien.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Topias Vilen, D, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 194 lb Topias Vilen is a player who had 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 35 games with the Lahti Pelicans. Topias Vilen is the younger brother of Elias Vilen who is also eligible for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Topias Vilen SWOT Report

Strengths: Topias Vilen has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, playmaking, and passing. He looked better than his older brother in his only season on the Lahti Pelicans main roster.

Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up. He's got to add more muscle. Prone to getting knocked down when getting hit.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Topias Vilen. He should be selected in the third round.

Threats: Right now Topias Vilen has the floor of a third line AHL defenseman. He has the ceiling of a second line defenseman in the NHL that can be a solid number four defenseman moving forward.

Potential Grade: 76/99

Before 2020

Topias Vilen has played in Finland since 2017-2018. He's also made his debut on the Lahti Pelicans in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga late in the 2019-2020 season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Elias Vilen, C, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-9 172 lb Elias Vilen is the older brother of Topias Vilen. Elias Vilen had 7 goals, 7 assists, 14 points, and a +4 +/- ratio for the Lahti Pelicans in 2020-2021. Elias Vilen is the oldest draft eligible player in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Elias Vilen SWOT Report

Strengths: The versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing is there. He has the wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy that you want a forward to have. He's great at winning face offs despite being undersized.

Weaknesses: Playmaking as a passer and decision making needs to improve. His offensive and defensive awareness is a work in progress despite a promising hockey IQ. He's not explosive. He's also got to do a much better job controlling the pace of the game.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Elias Vilen. He should be selected in the third round.

Threats: Elias Vilen isn't as durable as his younger brother. That's one reason why most see a guy with the ceiling of a third line center at best in the NHL.

Potential Grade: 76/99

Before 2020

Elias Vilen has played hockey in Finland since 2015-2016. Elias Vilen like Topias Vilen made his debut with the Lahti Pelicans in 2019-2020. Neither one of the Vilen brothers was able to record a point last season. That has to change this year if either brother wants to creep up draft boards.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Oliver Kapanen, C, Kalevan Pallo (SM Liiga) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 179 lb Oliver Kapanen has yet to be promoted to Kalevan Pallo's main roster in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga. His cousin is Kasperi Kapanen the Pittsburgh Penguins 2014 first round pick and that's one reason why Oliver Kapanen intrigues me.

Oliver Kapanen SWOT Report

Strengths: Oliver Kapanen has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed. Could be a line 2 center, line 2 center on the power play, or a line 2 center on a penalty killing unit.

Weaknesses: Lacks top end speed. He also needs to improve his strides as a skater despite having every other intangible on tape.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Oliver Kapanen. He should be selected in the third round.

Threats: I see Oliver Kapanen as a third or fourth line center in the NHL. He can also be used on a second line power play unit and a second line penalty killing unit as a center.

Potential Grade: 75/99

Before 2020

Oliver Kapanen has played hockey in Finland since 2018-2019. He had his best season in 2019-2020 posting 23 goals, 27 assists, and 50 points in 44 games on KalPa's Under-18 Team.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Aleksi Malinen, D, JYP (SM Liiga) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 185 lb Aleksi Malinen had 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, and a -12 +/- ratio in 30 games for JYP in Liiga formerly known as SM Liiga.

Aleksi Malinen SWOT Report

Strengths: Aleksi Malinen has the skating, mobility, decision making, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, and two-way ability to be a future NHL defenseman.

Weaknesses: Needs more experience. Needs to improve his passing accuracy. Has a negative +/- ratio giving up more goals than he scores.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Aleksi Malinen. He should be selected in the fourth round.

Threats: Aleksi Malinen is a project. He has upside to be a top 100 player despite having a fourth round grade.

Potential Grade: 75/99

Before 2020

Aleksi Malinen has played for JYP's junior teams in Finland dating back to 2017-2018. Malinen needs to see what he can do on JYP's main roster as he has yet to crack that so far. Maybe he will get his shot in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects