In this month’s rendition of the SHL update, I’ll be breaking down the current season, playstyle, and projection of a few of the NHL’s drafted prospects I’ve found intriguing throughout the first half of the SHL campaign. I don’t know if it’s the holiday season but I was in a good mood and just wanted to talk about a few guys I’ve had a fun time tracking this season.
Stay tuned in to the SHL all year long including next month’s NHL drafted prospects update, GOALIE edition—updates are coming every third Monday of the month. Enjoy!
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Theodor Niederbach (C, 5-11, 172 lbs) – Frölunda HC (SHL) – DET, 51st Overall *
SHL Stats: 25GP, 10 G + 10 A = 20 Pts | Avg TOI: 14:53
Niederbach, drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 51st overall back in 2020, is a pacey, hard-working centerman that’s beginning to emerge as a very strong SHL player. He’s got 20 points on the season and six in his last five games. Niederbach isn’t currently in any NHL teams system but he looks like he could be one of those guys that attracts NHL attention as a free agent once he enters his prime. He’s lightning quick but doesn’t over rely on the rush to create offense. His style of play works really well with his linemate, top 2026 draft eligible prospect Ivar Stenberg. Niederbach and Stenberg both have incredible speed and skill to create quick chances off the rush but also play deep in the offensive zone with a tenacity and strength that allows them to create cycle offense too. Niederbach has the skating, puck skills, and playmaking intelligence to play in the NHL at some point in his career, I can almost guarantee it. He won’t ever be a top-six producer at the NHL level but if he wants to I think he can definitely carve out a middle-six secondary scoring role in a few years.
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Albin Sundin (D, 6’2″, 198) – Timrå IK – EDM, 6th Rd, 183rd Overall
SHL Stats: 25 GP, 2 + 4 = 6 Pts, Avg TOI: 18:25
Sundin is a strong, physical, right-handed, two-way defender that could potentially play an NHL depth role in a few years. This season, for the first time in his career he’s playing big SHL minutes and has looked pretty comfortable. Sundin uses his stick-checking and strength to be a solid, reliable defender in one-on-one scenarios and consistently win puck battles. He doesn’t often go out of his way to throw a punishing check but he always battles hard and when he checks someone he puts all he has got into the effort. There’s a solid profile here for Sundin to become a depth NHL defender one day but he definitely needs some more time to round out his game.There are two things that stood out as the biggest hindrances in his play. Without rambling on forever, Sundin needs to work on his pass execution in offensive scenarios and his puck receptions and breakout passes. The latter is the more pressing issue. Too often Sundin can’t pick up difficult pucks down low in his own zone, or he can pick them up but he can’t get the puck in a passing position quick enough. As a result, his team can’t exit the zone. Sundin is definitely one to keep an eye on though for the Oilers faithful as he could be a cheap, reliable, depth defenseman in the future.
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Noah Steen (LW, 6-1, 192) – Örebro HK – TBL, 7th Rd, 199th Overall
SHL Stats: 26 GP, 6 + 3 = 9 Pts
Steen is a fun one. He is not someone that attracts the puck, it doesn’t find him very often, but when it does he always works his hardest to make the most of it. Steen’s got a motor that just never turns off and a forechecking mentality that creates chaos and chances. He’s not a play driver in the traditional sense, but he is got good enough hands and instincts to play with pace and turn pressure into offense. Steen can surprise you with puck skill at times and scored a beautiful goal all on his own vs HV71 a couple weeks ago. If he keeps ironing out the little things and can find a level of consistency in finishing chances and making smart decisions on the puck, there’s maybe an NHL depth forward here.
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Lucas Pettersson (C, 5-11, 183) – Brynäs IF – ANA, 2nd Rd, 35th Overall
SHL Stats: 26 GP, 9 + 4 = 13 Pts
Pettersson has always been, and always will be a cerebral attacker who processes the game incredibly fast. He waits out defenders, evaluates options, throws feints and subtle moves at you until you make the first move. It is so effective because he understands how to manipulate defenders — he gets them to shift early and then punishes them. Pettersson is still not a physical monster by any means but he is getting noticeably stronger and that quick release he is always had is getting more and more powerful. I’m a big fan of Pettersson’s game. I think he plays a really projectable game with all the right mental and technical tools to put it together. I believe he’s got legit top-six upside in the NHL.
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Viktor Klingsell (LW, 5-10, 187) – Skellefteå AIK – WPG, 5th Rd, 156th Overall
SHL Stats: 7 GP, 1 + 0 = 1 Pt
Klingsell has not had a ton of ice time this year, but you can still see the outline of a strong prospect. He is a quick-thinking, immensely skilled winger who is at his very best when he’s playing with other skilled, creative players. Klingsell understands how highly skilled players think and just naturally gels with them. In his draft year it was clear there was a tremendous amount of skill with Klingsell but he had a long way to go in terms of rounding out his game. I believe he’s taken a few really big steps towards making himself more valuable to an NHL team besides being a complementary skill guy. He is incorporating more cycle offense and grinding for positioning. He goes to the hard areas and is consistently in the battle, having an effect on the game, which is something you didn’t see a lot of in Klingsell last year. He has still got a ways to go, again just in terms of ironing out the little tendencies and habits that need to be nailed down to play in the NHL. He’s developing well and I’m excited to see how the rest of his season goes.
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Mikkel Eriksen (C, 5-11, 187) – Färjestad BK – NYR, 4th Rd, 111th Overall SHL Stats: 6 GP, 0 + 0 = 0 Pts
Eriksen is still the same smart, patient playmaker I’ve been impressed with in the U20 Nationell but now bigger and faster. He’s growing into his body and it’s making a real difference. He truly looks stronger and faster this year in the SHL than he did last year in U20. I’m very pleased with his development so far. Eriksen has always been a thinker with great poise, but now he is starting to add the pace and physicality to match. He doesn’t rush plays, he reads what’s in front of him, and he’s always looking to make the right pass. He’s not flashy, but so consistently effective. I’ve been high on Eriksen for a while and nothing’s changed. If he wants to make it work in the NHL though he’s going to need to continue adding variety to his game. His shot still isn’t a consistent threat and it needs to be in order to have that dual-threat.
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Anton Frondell (C, 6-1, 205) – Djurgårdens IF – CHI, 1st Rd, 3rd Overall SHL Stats: 25 GP, 10 + 5 = 15 Pts
Every single time I watch Frondell he seems to understand more and more what kind of beast he truly is. He is ludicrously strong for his age and he’s not even absurdly big. Frondell is just a monster. He is still not a very dynamic skater with the puck, and you’d like to see a little more patience and creativity from him on the rush. I’m not saying he’s going to become Draisaitl, but think of a Leon Draisaitl type of player, using his body and intelligence to slow the play down and find options. All over the ice Frondell is so good at absorbing contact and using his body to seal off defenders. In the offensive zone there are few prospects in the world that are as dangerous on the half-wall as Frondell. He’s technically sound, relentless, and hard to knock off the puck. Chicago, you will love him.
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Victor Eklund (RW, 5-11, 170) – Djurgårdens IF – NYI, 1st Rd, 16th Overall SHL Stats: 25 GP, 1 + 10 = 11 Pts
I mean this in the best way possible — Eklund is a complete psycho. His game is speed, energy, fluidity, and crashing into people. He’s like a hummingbird, just darting across the ice wreaking havoc and demanding the puck. He’s always been a skater with great mechanics but now he’s adding strength and balance and it’s turning him into something else. He’s become wicked fast and can change direction on a dime. Eklund creates offense by catching defenders off guard and making quick, decisive plays. Definitely still more of a playmaker than a finisher, his shot isn’t lethal yet, but his reading of the game is incredibly sharp and his passing execution is elite. Eklund is coming into his own. I wasn’t as high on him on his draft year, but now he might be converting me to a believer
* NHL rights currently unowned
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Thanks for reading! I’m Greysen — a Winnipeg-based scout working with the Olds Grizzlys in the AJHL.
Always analyzing, always learning.
Follow my work on Twitter: @goudygreysen