Henrik Samuelsson, C
Shoots: R	Height: 6-3	Weight: 208
Born: 1994-02-07	Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ, USA	Drafted: 2012 by Phoenix Coyotes, 27th overall

 

 

 

 

 

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Observations:

February 2017- In need of a fresh start, Samuelsson has been traded to the Edmonton Oilers for fellow 2012 draft pick Mitch Moroz, and has been sent to Bakerfield of the AHL. The Oilers plan on using him as a center, the position Samuelsson played in the WHL for the Edmonton Oil Kings, while the Coyotes had him playing mostly right wing. With two goals and one assist in 20 games this season a fresh start was just what Samuelsson needed, once considered one of the Coyotes top prospects. While skill, hockey sense and competitiveness is still there in Samuelsson's game, skating is still an issue.  Keith Duggan

 

January 2017- Skating and injuries have derailed Samuelsson, once considered one of the Coyotes top prospects. He's missed a good chunk of this season with a "undisclosed injury", and when in the lineup hasn't been very effective putting up two goals and one assist in 20 games for the Tucson Roadrunners. Samuelsson is quickly falling down the depth chart and this being the last year on his entry-level contract, he could find himself trade bait or walk as a free agent this summer if the Coyotes decide not to give him a qualifying offer. Keith Duggan

 

June 2016- The 2015-16 season will not go down as one of Henrik Samuelsson best. He missed a large chunk of the season because of a ankle injury and when in the line-up still looked slowed by it. With just three goals and 12 points in 43 games for Springfield of the AHL, it looked to be almost a lost year of development. Samuelsson is quickly being passed by other Coyote prospects on the depth chart and he needs to prove in 2016-17 he is still a viable up and coming player for the team. Keith Duggan

 

February 2016- After being reported that Henrik Samuelsson would miss the rest of 2105-16 season after having ankle surgery, he proved everyone wrong and returned to the Springield Falcons lineup on February 18th. Samuelsson has one goal in six games since returning to the lineup as he works himself back into game shape. Keith Duggan

 

December 2015- It was a tough start to Henrik Samuelsson's second pro season, with the young forward only posting one goal and five points in 16 games for Springfield of the AHL. The tough times got even worse when the Coyotes announced on December 6th that Samuelsson has undergone season-ending ankle surgery. It's a blow to Samuelsson's development, who after a solid rookie year, was expected to take a bigger step forward this season. Keith Duggan

 

September 2015- Henrik Samuelsson has been assigned to Springfield of the AHL. He suffered an injury during camp, hurting his chances of seperating himself from the pack. Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett noted improvement in his game. "Improvement in his skating: improvement in his strength. His fitness tests were all much better this year. He's coming," Tippett said. "It's not an easy process for a young guy. Henrik has to go down and continue to build his game." Keith Duggan

 

May 2015- It was a solid rookie pro season for Henrik Samuelsson, putting up 18 goals and 40 points in 60 games for Portland. He was called up to the Coyotes two times, going scoreless in three contests with the big club. His ability to come through in big games continued though. In Portland's last game in the regular season, a must win game to make the playoff's, with his team down 4-2, Samuelsson scored two goals in the third period to tie the score, a eventual Pirates 5-4 win. Then he posted a healthy five points in five playoff games. About the only thing holding him back is his skating and Samuelsson said he has arranged "to work my bag off" this summer with a power-skating instructor. Keith Duggan

 

February 2015- Henrik Samuelsson has been recalled to the Coyotes. In 50 games with Portland of the AHL, he has 10 goals and 25 points. With Arizona expected to trade several veterans at the trade deadline, Samuelsson might see a extended stay with the big club. Keith Duggan

 

January 2015- It's been a adjustment to the pro ranks for Henrik Samuelsson in his rookie season. With 19 points in 41 games he hasn't been bad but his skating and overall speed has still been an issue. Look for Samuelsson to remain with Portland throughout the season to continue developing his game. Keith Duggan

 

September 2014- With some open spots up for grabs on the Coyotes and Samuelsson's excellent last season of junior, it was expected that he would make a run for a roster spot. With him in the midst of a strong pre-season it was a surprise when the team announced that they are sending Samuelsson to Portland of the AHL. While somewhat disappointing, this will be good for his game as it will help him adjust to the pro game and get more playing time then he would have gotten in Arizona. Keith Duggan

 

May 2014- Samuelsson had a excellent final season of junior capping it of by winning the Memorial Cup with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He finished the regular season with 35 goals and 95 points, good for ninth in the WHL in scoring. Samuelsson racked up 97 penalty minutes for a second straight season showing his agitating, aggressive style of play.  In the playoff's Samuelsson continued to play well with 23 points in 21 games helping Edmonton reach the Memorial Cup, also leading the WHL playoffs in PIM's with 51. But in the Memorial Cup Tournament he really took off especially in the Championship game, where he helped the underdog Oil Kings defeat the Guelph Storm finishing with five points in the contest. Samuelsson led the tournament with eight points, four goals and four assists, and was named to the tournament's All-Star team. Look for him to probably start 2014-15 in the AHL but with his size and skill it won't be long before we see Samuelsson with the Coyotes. Keith Duggan

 

December 2013- With his size, skill, age (19) and being a first round pick,  Samuelsson looked to be a lock to make Team USA’s 2014 World Junior team.  After not having two very strong games in their last two exhibition games, Samuelsson was cut from the team on December 22nd. Samuelsson still remains an excellent prospect for the Coyotes but after it looked as though he would possibly push to make the Phoenix big squad this year and he was an early cut from training camp and now this latest snub, his prospect status has taken a little bit of a hit. Keith Duggan

 

December 2013-Samuelsson has been named to Team USA’s preliminary roster for the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team. On December 18th, he survived the first round of cuts and will head to Sweden for the final exhibition games before the final roster is named. Samuelsson looks to be a solid lock to make the team and he should have a little extra motivation with the tournament being held in Sweden and him holding dual American/Swedish citizenship. Before he left the Edmonton Oil Kings he was leading the team in scoring with 38 points in 28 games.  Keith Duggan

 

November 2013- After a strong first full season in the WHL in 2012-13 and signing an entry-level deal this past summer, Samuelsson was expected to make the Coyotes this year. But the Coyotes stuck to their mantra of not rushing prospects and sent him back to the Edmonton Oil Kings for his last year of junior eligibility. So far the cut hasn't bothered him as he's leading the Oil Kings in scoring and is 11th in the WHL with 30 points in 21 games. Samuelsson's size and skill definitely makes him a top prospect for Phoenix, as they could desperately use that in their top six. Although the Coyotes love his feistiness, he needs to work on his discipline. He took part in the US National Junior Evaluation Camp over the summer and with his strong start to the season looks to be a good candidate to play for the USA in the 2014 tournament. Keith Duggan

 

June 2013 – After finishing an excellent productive season in the WHL, Coyotes management locked him up to a three year entry level deal. After 80 points and 97 PIM in 69 regular season games, he followed it up with 19 more points and 43 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games. He played in all situations for the Oil Kings posting a positive-31 rating, 11 power play goals (three more in playoffs), a trio of shorthanded goals plus another in the post season and six game winners. He has nothing more to show at the junior level and with the current situation in Phoenix, they need and expect him to jump into the NHL next season. He will be an impact player in some capacity if not on the score sheet in his rookie season and has potential and opportunity to find himself in Calder Trophy discussions should he help solidify the Desert Dogs up the middle even if his production totals aren’t on track with other rookies. Managers acquiring him should not expect major offensive numbers too soon, but more of a well-rounded, roto-type prospect, and should be swiped after the big names are taken in prospect drafts. Jason Banks

 

 

 

January 2013 – Edmonton Oil Kings' forward Henrik Samuelsson has been named the WHL Player of the Week (ending January 27th) after registering 10 points (two goals and eight assists) and a plus-5 rating in four weekly games. Samuelsson has already set new career highs in all offensive statistical categories and sits among the league leaders with 26 goals and 61 points through 51 contests. Known for his edginess, the improved offensive output bodes very well for Samuelsson's future fantasy value. Brendan Ross

 

June, 2012 – Henrik Samuelsson, a gritty finesse forward, joins the Phoenix Coyotes organization as their 27th overall pick joining a franchise the formerly employed his father, Ulf, as Assistant Coach. Brendan Ross

 

May 2012 – Samuelsson had a very solid postseason for the WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings. He registered 14 points in 17 games and added five points in four games in the Memorial Cup. He seemed to playing his best hockey late in the season and should be an early second round draft pick.

 

April 2012 – Samuelsson is a big, edgy pivot that possesses great hands and solid offensive instincts. He isn’t afraid to throw his weight around and he has been known to throw the occasional cheap shot here and there. Since coming over from Modo, Sweden in January, he has 23 points in 28 games. The main thing holding Samuelsson back at this point is his skating. If he can improve in that area he should have no problem becoming a solid NHL player one day. Zenon Herasymiuk

 

Fantasy Outlook: C-

Skating and injuries have Samuelsson quickly falling behind other top prospects in the Coyotes system

 

Footage:

Samuelsson’s first WHL goal:

 

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