Filip Westerlund

July 2021- Once regarded as one of the top prospects for Arizona, the team has chosen not to sign Westerlund to an entry-level contract. He was passed over in the 2021 Entry Draft and could be signed by any NHL team now. Westerlund put up five goals and 21 points for Timra IK, the same point total he put up with the team in 2019-20. He’s signed with that club for this coming campaign and doesn’t seem interested in coming to North America anytime soon, which may be why Westerlund never inked a deal with the Coyotes. Keith Duggan

September 2020- For the first time in a while, Westerlund played for the same team all year, suiting up 2019-20 with Timra IK in the Allsvenskan. With four goals and 21 points in 52 games, he posted solid numbers, just not point totals you would like to see from a second-round pick. His 21 points were good for 18th among blueliners in the Allsvenskan. The Coyotes continue to try bringing Westerlund over to North America, but even before the coronavirus put the 2020-21 season start in question, he committed to playing this campaign for Timra IK again. Keith Duggan

June 2019- Soon after returning from the WJC, Westerlund was loaned out from Frolunda, where he wasn’t seeing much playing time, to Timra. There he received more playing time, given a much bigger role with his new squad. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder labrum injury that required surgery and missed the rest of the season. Westerlund should be ready for the start of 2019-20 and while the Coyotes have expressed interest in bringing the smooth blueliner over to North America it looks like he plays at least one more year in the SHL. Keith Duggan

December 2018- After nearly making the squad last year, it looks as though Westerlund has made Team Sweden for the 2019 World Junior Tournament. The blue-liner isn’t expected to play a prominent role on the team but more of a bottom pairing, seventh defenseman type. So far this year, Westerlund has spent the whole season in the SHL, picking up one goal in 14 games with Frolunda HC. Keith Duggan

June 2018- The Coyotes second-round pick from 2017 had a quiet but solid year over in Sweden. He played for three different teams and leagues during the 2017-18 season, seeing his most success with the Frolunda HC junior team. There Westerlund was an associate captain and showed the most offense to his game, putting up four goals and 13 points in 24 games. After seeing limited ice time in 19 games with the big club in the SHL last year, he’s expected to have a larger role with the club in 2018-19. Was one of the last cuts for Team Sweden’s unit for the 2018 World Juniors but should play a big role for the squad this year. Fantasy wise should be interesting to see how he progresses as Westerlund considers himself more of a defensive defenseman but he’s a excellent skater with decent offensive instincts. Keith Duggan

June 2017- Much like their first-round choice of Pierre-Oliver Joseph, the Coyotes grabbed another smooth skating, two-way defenseman in Filip Westerlund with Arizona’s second-round pick. Westerlund split the 2016-17 season between the top division Frolunda team and their affiliate in the Swedish Under 20 League. He played 33 games in the country’s top men’s league, putting up just four points. He would play seven games in Europe’s Champions Hockey League, helping Frolunda to the title. Westerlund also played in 23 games at the J20 level, picking up seven points. His real breakout though was on the international stage. Westerlund had a goal and an assist over seven games at the IIHF Under 18 World Championship. His value was more than just points though, as he was named one of the top three Swedish players in the tournament. Much like Joseph, his skills and skating are excellent but size along with strength needs improvement, as he struggles with larger forwards. Westerlund’s not very physical as he relies more on positioning and stickwork to defend, but makes good first passes and transitions quickly from defense to offense. He plans on playing in Sweden next season and looks to be a at least few seasons away from potentially suiting up in the NHL. Keith Duggan