Karl Henriksson

January 2024 – Henriksson, a restricted free agent at season’s end, is in his second season with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. The soon-to-be 23-year-old has posted seven points in 24 games played in 2023-2024 after posting 17 points in 70 games played a season ago. Even though undersized, the Swede has always been billed as a speedy playmaker and now has ample experience playing amongst older, stronger men at both the Swedish Hockey League and American Hockey League levels. Henriksson, drafted during GM Jeff Gorton’s era, has seen other centers, including Ryder Korczak and Bryce McConnell-Barker, added to the Rangers’ pipeline, potentially passing him on the depth chart. Perhaps another season or two in the minors, either in New York or elsewhere, will enable Henriksson to break through and be a viable roster option for an NHL team. Brendan Ferry

February 2023 – With only nine points in 46 games played this season with the Wolf Pack, Henriksson’s season has not gone as well as the organization, or the player, would have liked. Henriksson has struggled to adapt to the North American pro game. As an undersized player in his first season away from his native Sweden, the NYR organization will need to maintain a patient approach with their young centerman. With good center depth on the NHL club, there is ample reason to do just that. Brendan Ferry

June 2022 – Henriksson, who was signed to his ELC in April of 2021, was on loan during the 2021-2022 season to the Swedish Hockey League’s Frolunda Indians in his native Sweden, where he posted only three goals and six assists for nine points in 40 games played, followed by three points in nine playoff games. Playing in his second full season with Frolunda, these numbers can be viewed as a bit disappointing, to be sure. It appears as though Henriksson may now be ticketed for the Hartford Wolf Pack, now that he is AHL-eligible. The playmaking center is signed through 2023-2024, giving the team and the player time to chart the best course for him moving forward. Assuming that he does head to Hartford for the 2022-2023 season, it will most certainly be an adjustment for Henriksson, but it is important for him to show improvements in his game, or he will risk falling down the Rangers’ depth charts further. Brendan Ferry

December 2020 – Henriksson was originally part of Sweden’s preliminary roster for the 2021 World Junior Championship to be held in Alberta and projected to slot in as the teams’ number-one center. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old has tested positive for COVID-19, with only weeks to go until the start of the tournament. As such, the team has been forced to drop him from the roster. This is a disappointing development as it would have been an excellent opportunity to evaluate the former second-round pick against the top caliber of his peers. Brayden Olafson

September 2020 – Henriksson has begun his D+2 campaign on the opening night roster for the Frolunda Indians SHL squad. After splitting last year between the SuperElit, Allsvenskan and SHL, it may take some time for him to fully adjust to the SHL speed, but he will have an opportunity to work himself into a prominent role by the end of the year. If his first game is any indication, Henriksson will be cast in a two-way role where he can refine his good habits in the defensive zone, while using his footwork and skill to exploit defenses on lineup mismatches – much the type of role the Rangers hope he will develop into for them in the future. Brayden Olafson

January 2020 – The 18-year-old Rangers prospect assisted the Swedes in taking home a bronze medal over the holidays at the 2020 WJC in the Czech Republic. His relationship with 2020 Entry Draft eligible prospects, Alexander Holtz and Lucas Raymond continues to be an apparent factor in his chemistry with the two during international competition. Despite his modest production at the tournament, Henriksson stood out as an individual in several instances. He’ll be eligible to return for another opportunity at the tournament next year where he should be expected to play a prominent role for the Swedes. Brayden Olafson 

June 2019 – An elusive centerman who plays a team-first type of game, Henriksson had success in his draft year playing with Froulunda of the SuperElit leauge, and with the Swedish National team at the U18 tournament. Henriksson played well with fellow Frolunda forward, Lucas Raymond, who is a top prospect eligible for the NHL draft in 2020. Moving into a higher league such as the SHL will be an important step in the young center’s development, but one that could expose his high-risk, high-reward focus. Brayden Olafson