The SHL season is underway, and while it might still be a little early to draw any conclusions, it is never too early for fantasy managers to start paying attention. 

After all, taking risks is a major part of the game when it comes to fantasy hockey. And what better time to do that than 10 games into the season, when the sample size is still tiny, right? Just kidding. Or am I? Jokes aside, let us take a look at some NHL prospects who have gotten off to a hot start in the SHL and could be worth keeping an eye on for fantasy managers. 

***

Jack Berglund (C, PHI) – Färjestad BK

After an impressive showing at the 2026 World Juniors, where Berglund captained Sweden to gold, he has shown no signs of slowing down. The 20-year-old is off to a flying start in the 2026–27 SHL season and, just 11 games in, is already just one point shy of matching his entire point total from last season, with four goals and 11 points to his name.

Standing at 6-4, Berglund uses his frame well to protect the puck and create plays for his teammates. He is a reliable two-way center who frequently breaks up opposing plays thanks to his positioning and awareness. However, while he is no stranger to delivering big hits, he could stand to play with a bit more aggression given his size.

One consistent trend in Berglund’s game is his pass-first mentality, reflected in his 10 shots through 11 games. He does not like to shoot without a clear purpose, which could potentially limit his fantasy upside.

Still, given his development so far, it is not hard to envision Berglund having a future in the NHL, although the Flyers’ current struggles might not have him rushing to cross the Atlantic. 

*

Eddie Genborg (LW/RW, DET) – Timrå IK

There aren’t many players willing to take a beating every night, but Genborg does not seem to mind. After a somewhat slow start to the season, which could be attributed to the injury he has recently returned from, he is slowly finding his rhythm. With six points in his last four games, he is now up to three goals and seven points in 10 games.

He might not be a flashy player who can create offense on his own, but he is the kind of complementary player every team needs. On the power play, his job is simple: make life a living hell for the opposing goalie. He will park his [REDACTED] right in the goalie’s face and start causing chaos around the crease, and that is exactly where he thrives. Watching him play, he is quick to react to rebounds, creating scoring opportunities for his teammates by feeding the puck to the bumper or finding the back of the net himself. He is a big (6-2, 198 lbs), physical two-way player who loves throwing his body around, meaning he will rarely leave the stat sheet empty.

That said, Genborg also flashes some playmaking ability every now and then, suggesting his current skill set might not be the be-all and end-all of his game, especially considering that he is only 19 years old. His game should translate well to the NHL, though, and he could compete for a bottom six role in Detroit as soon as next season. Oh, and some good news for Red Wings fans: at the time of writing, he has not asked for a trade yet.

*

Max Westergård (LW, PHI) – Frölunda HC

Westergård is another one of the Flyers’ prospects currently in the SHL. The 19-year-old Finnish winger has picked up three goals and eight points in 12 games so far, making for a rather impressive start to his SHL season, all things considered. He might just be a Flyer in a literal sense – he knows how to skate. His skating ability is the first thing that jumps out at you when watching him play. He uses his agility and edgework to manipulate defenders, opening up lanes to drive forward or find teammates. While he often identifies the right play when using these tools, he does not always manage to execute it successfully. He can also be too perimeter-oriented with the puck and does not seem particularly comfortable attacking high-danger areas directly.

His skating also benefits him off the puck. He constantly scans for open ice, adjusting his positioning as the play develops to make himself an available option for his teammates. Despite his smaller frame (5-11, 174 lbs), he is not afraid of board battles and has even been quite successful at winning pucks. Adding some strength would be the next step in helping him become more effective in physical situations. 

Westergård could turn out to be a real value pick for the Flyers, especially for a fifth-round pick. And let’s be honest, they could use all the help they can get. (I promise this is my last shot at the Flyers. For now.)

*

Albert Wikman (D, FLA) – Färjestad BK

Wikman is a 21-year-old Swedish defenseman who was a fourth-round selection by the Florida Panthers in the 2023 draft. Honestly, Wikman has not done much damage at any level he has played at since getting drafted. He was never really projected to be an offensive defenseman, yet even defensively, he has not shown much to write home about, at least at the SHL level.

Just to give you a better idea: last season in the SHL, Wikman posted just three goals and five points in 46 games, along with a plus-minus of minus 11. This season, however, could mark a turning point for the Swedish defenseman, as it took him just 11 games to reach 3 goals and 5 points, matching his entire offensive output from last season. Not only that, but he is also rocking a plus-minus of plus seven. 

He is a mobile defenseman who relies on positioning and anticipation to disrupt plays, rather than using physicality to shut down opponents. Considering he has a decent frame (6-1, 198 lbs), I would definitely like him to make better use of his physical tools.

Florida must sign Wikman by June 1, 2027, or lose his NHL rights. His path to the NHL remains uncertain, and expectations were not particularly high heading into this season. He is unlikely to ever quarterback a first power play unit, and his lack of physicality might not make him the most appealing option for fantasy managers. However, with his production on the rise and his role seemingly growing, Wikman is definitely someone worth keeping on the radar.

*** 

Thanks for reading! If you would like to see more feel free to follow me on Twitter/X – @DubAtTheRink (https://x.com/DubAtTheRink)