Lucas Pettersson

June 2025 – Pettersson signed his Entry-Level Contract a few days ago, capping off a strange but promising season. He began the year with MoDo’s J20 team but quickly earned a promotion to the SHL squad. He saw very limited ice time there and was repeatedly loaned out to Östersunds in the Allsvenskan, frequently bouncing back and forth throughout the season. Despite the instability, Pettersson thrived in the Allsvenskan, putting up 19 points in 26 games and proving himself more than capable at that level. He’ll play for Brynäs next season in the SHL, a move that should offer more consistent playing time than he had with MoDo. Pettersson has been as advertised, he brings excellent speed, a high motor, and smart two-way play. His ability to create chances offensively and disrupt opponents defensively makes him a well-rounded prospect with a clear path to the NHL. If his offensive game continues to develop, he has a realistic shot at becoming a middle-six scoring forward. Even if his scoring plateaus, his skating and defensive game give him a viable path to the NHL as a bottom-six player. It’s reasonable to expect that Pettersson could fight for an NHL roster spot in about two or three seasons. For fantasy GMs in deeper or dynasty leagues, he’s an intriguing long-term stash. He has consistently produced offense at every level so far, and if that trend holds, he could become a valuable asset for patient managers. Markus R

June 2024 – Pettersson was selected in the second round, 35th overall, by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2024 NHL Draft. Hadi Kalakeche

February 2024 – One of the most tantalizing players of this year’s draft. Lucas Pettersson, at his best is a slam dunk first round talent, he plays a fast, skilled game and can take over shifts with break neck speed. A very accurate shot and a well-rounded defensive game should paint the picture of a minute munching center at the NHL level. However, Pettersson hasn’t always been at his best, his engagement can waver, he can shy away from contact and he can be frustratingly passive. These tendencies tend to shrink during his SHL or international reps but all the puzzle pieces show a player who should be making magic happen in the J20 level. He hasn’t had much to say in that regard until lately, with 5 consecutive multi-point games to rack up a total of 13 points. If he can keep this up, he might give reason for pause on the current assessment. – David Saad

February Rankings: 38th