Marcus Davidsson

December 2020 – The 2020 calendar year has been difficult for the Sabres’ former second-round draft choice. As discussed in our previous update, Davidsson regressed during the 2019-2020 SHL season. The start of the 2020-2021 hockey season has not been any better for the 22-year-old. In fact, in his first 12 games of the season with Vaxjo, he scored just one assist and averaged a mere 2:40 of ice time per game. On November 3, 2020, the team announced that they had terminated his contract on mutual grounds. Now a free agent, he subsequently signed a deal with Vasterviks IK of the Allsvenskan. He has currently tallied zero points in five games with his new club. Kevin Wong

August 2020 – Davidsson’s 2019-2020 SHL season was a disappointment, as he tallied just seven goals and 13 points in 31 games – his lowest totals as an SHL player since 2016-2017. He remains unsigned by the Buffalo Sabres organization as of now and is beginning to slide down the depth chart. He uses his skating ability and determination in tight spaces as well as off the rush to generate opportunities, but the offensive elements of his game have not developed so far at the SHL level. He averaged just 12:53 of time on ice per game in 2019-2020 and recorded 30 shots on goal, less than half as many as the 73 he took the previous season. Davidsson has one more year remaining on his contract with Vaxjo. Kevin Wong

November 2019 – Marcus Davidsson is having a rough season with the Växjö Lakers. In 19 games, the former second-round selection has tallied eight points (four goals and four assists). Last season, he had posted a career-high in points at the SHL level with 27 points. He is not on pace to match that point total and will likely fall short. Even though his point totals are down, Davidsson’s offensive production has been solid over the last seven matches, where he has totaled three assists and one goal. The main issue for Davidsson is the lack of ice time. He is averaging 12:47 TOI/GP, which is a decent drop in comparison to last season when he was logging 15:45 TOI/GP. Depending on how this season goes, Davidsson could come over to North America for next season. He signed a two-year deal with Växjö in May, but that includes an opt-out after the first season. If Davidsson does come to North America after the SHL season, he could potentially join Rochester in the final stretch of play. Josh Tessler

March 2019 – Another strong season from the former second-round pick as Davidsson tallied a solid 27 points in 51 contests, good enough for just over 0.5 points per game. At this point, Davidsson has passed his Swedish teammate Rasmus Asplund on the depth chart with his development path and progress. We can expect a similar route to the AHL for Davidsson and a potential contract with Buffalo soon. Marcus Griep

August 2018 – What a breakout year it was for the teenage Swede playing for Djurgardens in the SHL, registering 21 points, nine of those being goals in over a point per game pace. In only his second full season in the top flight of men’s hockey in Sweden, Davidsson has improved immensely and has almost surpassed fellow Sabre Rasmus Asplund in points while being a year younger. Davisson will most likely play at left wing when he moves to the NHL, but the scoring nose and two-way talent is proven at a high level. Marcus Griep

February 2018 – The second round selection has had a smashing season to date. He’s been an important piece for Djurgardens in 2017-18 registering six goals and eight assists in 30 games and sits tied for third in points in the SHL by a U20 player. Davidsson was a member of the silver medal-winning squad in Buffalo in the 2018 WJHC where he had three points in the tournament. He’s missed the past few games with an undisclosed injury although it doesn’t appear to be serious. He’s rumoured to have signed an extension that will keep him in Sweden for the immediate future, although just how long is unclear at this points. Expect this to be announced soon. Brad Phillips

June 2017 – The Buffalo Sabres used their first pick in the second round to select center Marcus Davidsson of Djurgardens IF. Davidsson plays a very similar style to Buffalo’s second round selection last year, Rasmus Asplund. A two-way centerman who is reliable at the dot and has success in regaining posession while moving the puck back up ice. Will need to develop his offensive game while growing in Sweden. Has a good base as of now. Decent shot and can distribute the puck to open skaters. Max Marko