Nils Höglander

April 2020 – Höglander has put pen to paper and signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks. From all reports, he’ll need his Swedish club team, Rögle to allow him to stay in North America to play in the AHL if he doesn’t make the Canucks. With this in mind, it seems very likely that another season in the SHL is on the horizon for the creative and aggressive winger. Cam Robinson

March 2020 – Hoglander experienced a successful draft-plus one campaign. From international success at the WJC, internet fame with the multiple lacrosse-style goals, to battling and earning top-six deployment in Sweden’s top tier. The second-round pick would’ve likely been given a chance to suit up for his nation at the men’s World Championship were it not cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canucks will surely look to sign the skilled winger this summer and bring him over for training camp. Expect to see a European out-clause included that sees him back in Rogle instead of the AHL if he doesn’t crack the Vancouver lineup. This is a player who exhibits all the traits of a second-line winger capable of adding to peripheral categories. Cam Robinson

December 2019 – Hoglander has been the talk of the World Juniors this year. His incredible Michigan-style goal while in-flight to begin the event had the entire hockey-world buzzing. His incredible confidence and creativity since have kept the volume turned up. The 19-year-old concluded the preliminary portion of the event in a tie for second-most points with seven in four games. He looks ready to push the Swedes into the medal rounds. The 2019 second-round selection has made it known that he wishes to cross the pond and vie for a spot with the Canucks next season. We’ll see if he can pull it off, but this is a kid who has made a habit of pulling off the incredible. Cam Robinson

October 2019 – It’s been an eventful start to the SHL campaign for the Canucks’ second-rounder. Höglander has been buzzing on the second-line in Rögle. There, he has meshed with Carolina prospect (and former Blues’ first-round selection, Dominik Bokk). Höglander has produced two goals and three points in seven contests. However, his most recent game ended early in the first period when he delivered a nasty elbow which led to his ejection and a five-game suspension. This isn’t the first time the 18-year-old has crossed a line with his elbow.

Nils Höglander channelling his inner Gordie Howe with this vicious elbow. He received 5+10+10 and was ejected. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/nyFn7JFk8t

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) October 3, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

He may only stand 5’10, but he plays with a great deal of fire. That will serve him well, but he’ll need to know where the line is and stay within it. Höglander will return to action later this month and continue to build up to what should be a standout performance for the Swedes at the WJC. Cam Robinson

June 2019 – The Vancouver Canucks selected Höglander with the 40th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old winger spent the entire season with Rogle of the SHL where he produced well in a third line role. Höglander plays bigger than his 5’9 stature. He blends good speed, a darting style, confidence and a nice release. Cam Robinson

June 2019 – Höglander was officially measured at 5-foot-9.5 and 188 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine.  Jokke Nevalainen

February 2019 – After spending most of the past two seasons in the Allsvenskan, Höglander has made the jump to the top level for his draft season. Even though Rögle is one of the worst teams in the SHL and Höglander’s minutes have been limited, he’s managed to put up good numbers considering his age. Höglander is a very talented skater with speed that allows him to get breakaway opportunities quite frequently. He has quick and soft hands which allow him to make highlight reel type plays. He’s also a quick thinker who likes to use all those qualities and play a fast-paced game. On top of those qualities, Höglander works really hard and is defensively responsibly as well. And even though he’s undersized at just 5-foot-9, he’s fearless on the ice. He likes to get his nose dirty in front of the net, and he loves to throw big open ice hits. Höglander has top-six upside but even if his offensive upside doesn’t fully materialize, he can still become a great third-liner. He will likely require another year of development before challenging for a spot on an NHL roster.  Jokke Nevalainen