Playoff hockey in Sweden is here, and there’s a lot of NHL talent about to be tested. The games get underway Tuesday, March 17, with the final quarterfinal matchups set to be locked in. Two series are already confirmed, while the remaining spots will be decided through the play-in round over the next few days.
Here’s how the bracket is shaping up:
Växjö Lakers HC (3) vs. Brynäs IF (6)
Rögle BK (4) vs. Färjestad BK (5)
The other two quarterfinal matchups will be:
Skellefteå AIK (1) vs. winner of Djurgårdens IF (9) vs. Malmö Redhawks (8) Frölunda HC (2) vs. winner of Luleå HF (7) vs. Örebro HK (10)
Check back on the third Monday of next month for full match up breakdowns and player analysis from whatever unfolds over the next stretch of SHL playoff hockey.
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Eddie Genborg (LW/RW, 6-2, 198) – Timrå IK – DET, 2nd Rd, 44th Overall (2025)
SHL Stats: 43 GP, 9 G + 16 A = 25 Pts
Just a few days ago, on March 14th, the Detroit Red Wings signed Genborg to his entry-level contract. With 71 SHL games across two seasons, Genborg has built up a lot of pro experience, and I would be shocked if he didn’t get a really close look for a bottom-six role in Detroit next season.
If you’ve been following along all year, you’ll know how much I appreciate Genborg’s game, and he’s taken some important strides forward this season. He’s finding ways to slow the game down and make a lot of soft-skilled possession plays that he wasn’t making as often before. As a result, he’s spending more time using his strength and physicality to wear the opposition down in the offensive zone, which is where he truly shines.
Through the first 10 games of the season, Genborg registered five points and played an average of 16:02 per game. In his last 10 games heading into the playoffs, he’s picked up eight points while averaging 17:57 per game. His game is maturing, rounding out, and he’s getting rewarded for it.
In all likelihood, Genborg will spend some time with the Red Wings’ AHL squad in Grand Rapids, but don’t be surprised if he plays his way into NHL ice time very soon.
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Anton Johansson (RHD, 6-4, 196) – Leksands IF – DET, 4th Rd, 105th Overall (‘22)
SHL Stats: 45 GP, 5 G + 12 A = 17 Pts
Johansson is a beautiful skater for his size. He genuinely looks more comfortable moving laterally and backwards than straight line forwards. This, combined with his reach, allows
Johansson to close the gap on puck carriers ridiculously fast. Whether it’s on opposition breakouts or defending the rush, he’s always much closer than you think.
There might be a bit more offensive upside with his game than the point totals suggest. His lateral mobility on the blueline is extremely effective, and he creates a ton of shooting lanes this way.
Johansson’s passing game still needs refinement. He’s got the feet and the skill to execute some really tough transition passes under heavy pressure that make him look elite. Yet, there are also a lot of plays where he over complicates things or floats a soft area pass that gets picked off and turns into a high-danger chance against. Johansson is going to have to be at his very best if Leksands is to avoid relegation.
Tall right-handed defensemen with mobility like Johansson’s don’t grow on trees—he’ll get his NHL shot very soon. If he can start executing the plays he’s trying to make with more consistency, I don’t see any way of keeping him out of the NHL.
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Felix Nilsson (C/W, 6-0, 192) – Rögle BK – NSH, 2nd Rd, 43rd Overall (‘23)
SHL Stats: 52 GP, 14 G + 26 A = 40 Pts
Nilsson isn’t particularly fast, but he’s an above-average skater who’s rock solid on his skates. He possesses impressive balance and strength—winning a lot of battles through sheer power and will, even against larger opposition.
A lot of Nilsson’s offensive game comes from the corners and along the half-wall, where he sprays passes into the slot or recycles possession to the point. He’s not afraid to attack the middle, and he’s definitely not one-dimensional, but the cornerstone of his game is using his agility, balance, and puck skills to maintain possession along the boards and find teammates streaking into the middle.
I do have some concerns about Nilsson’s skating overall. To create space through the neutral zone, and especially along the boards in the offensive zone, he’s going to need to keep getting quicker. That space closes a lot faster in the NHL.
That said, the production in the SHL this season is impressive, and he’s on a strong development trajectory. It’ll be very interesting to see how he adjusts to the faster and more physical pace of the playoffs now that he’s an established star in the SHL. Nashville has to be excited about the possibility of a middle-six playmaker who elevates his linemates joining their group in the next couple of years.
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Leo Sahlin Wallenius (LHD, 6-0, 183) – Växjö Lakers HC – SJS, 2nd Rd, 53rd Overall (‘25)
SHL Stats: 43 GP, 9 G + 16 A = 25 Pts
Sahlin Wallenius has always played a simple, reliable game and as he’s developed, he’s logged more and more important minutes in the SHL because of it. He likely won’t move the needle at the NHL level as there aren’t really standout tools in his profile—but he’s constantly involved.
Sahlin Wallenius doesn’t shy away from physicality, plays big penalty-kill minutes, and touches the puck as much as anyone on his team. He has the tools to involve himself in every area of the game, and he knows and sticks to his role. There isn’t much Sahlin Wallenius can’t do. He evades pressure well, finds clean breakout passes, plays physically, and chips in offensively when chances come his way.
Because of the lack of high-end traits or size, Sahlin Wallenius has got his work cut out for him to make the NHL. Although, he’s had a fantastic season with Växjö, and if he continues to play a reliable, low-risk, mistake-free game, he could carve out a bottom-pair role. I would imagine he will likely make the move to North America at some point next season with the San Jose Barracuda.
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Oliver Okuliar (LW/RW, 6-2, 190) – Skellefteå AIK – FLA, NHL Rights Owned (Unsigned)
SHL Stats: 46 GP, 15 G + 14 A = 29 Pts
Okuliar had a great campaign last year in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, putting up 19 goals and 41 points in 69 games before heading back to the SHL this season. At 25 years old, and already having taken a run at North America, it’s unlikely he spends much time in the NHL—if any.
That said, Florida owns his NHL rights, and he’ll be a very important player for the #1-seed Skellefteå in the playoffs. Okuliar is an intelligent player who makes quick decisions all over the ice. His skating ability isn’t anything special, but he’s got decent puck skills, a heavy and accurate shot, and works hard on both sides of the puck.
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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