C Leo Carlsson (2023, 2nd, ANA)

[Junohockeyfan]

Might be. Fantilli has a serious motor and brings a lot of skill. But Carlsson is really good too. I think Fantilli goes at 2 and Columbus gets a heck of a player in Carlsson at 3.

Don't get me wrong, i think Fantilli will be a very good player. His upside is Mackinnon but i don't see him reaching it.

I think Carlsson's upside is a faster Getzlaff and i think he will reach it.

 

[BB88]

I think he will be a better player than Fantilli when its all said and done. He is more talented IMO.

There’s definitely a chance.

You never want to bet against players with an elite IQ

 

[Kalv]

Don't get me wrong, i think Fantilli will be a very good player. His upside is Mackinnon but i don't see him reaching it.

I think Carlsson's upside is a faster Getzlaff and i think he will reach it.

Getzlaf was as highly touted partially because of his physical presence. Carlsson is using his frame to block off players, but I have not seen him being a willing participant in battles as much as I would like. Purely skill wise, he might be around that category. Dude's really really good and would be a an amazing #2 pick most years. Just not this one. But I'm really deep into Fantilli fan club

 

[ScarTroy]

Don't get me wrong, i think Fantilli will be a very good player. His upside is Mackinnon but i don't see him reaching it.

I think Carlsson's upside is a faster Getzlaff and i think he will reach it.

Not nearly physical to be Getz, maybe production wise but I wouldn’t use them as much of a comparable other than being big guys who slow the game down

 

[tomd]

Don't get me wrong, i think Fantilli will be a very good player. His upside is Mackinnon but i don't see him reaching it.

I think Carlsson's upside is a faster Getzlaff and i think he will reach it.

I think Carlsson's comp is Kopitar-lite rather than Getzlaf. Getzlaf had a shot and physicality that Carlsson will never ever possess.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

I think Carlsson's comp is Kopitar-lite rather than Getzlaf. Getzlaf had a shot and physicality that Carlsson will never ever possess.

Kopitar is a good comparison.

 

[Doggy]

Kopitar is a good comparison.

The comp I have been hearing is Nicklas Backstrom. I do wonder if that's lazy considering they are both Swedes. Maybe some Swedish members on the board could comment on that.

 

[EK47]

The comp I have been hearing is Nicklas Backstrom. I do wonder if that's lazy considering they are both Swedes. Maybe some Swedish members on the board could comment on that.

IMO the comparison is not completely off both are primarily playmakers who are not uncomfortable playing a bit on the outside. But I do think Carlsson is a better skater and likes to challenge defenders 1on1 more.

I know one thing. I have not seen Sam Hallam grin like he does when answering questions about a player like he does when he answers questions about Carlsson since he coached Pettersson in 17/18.

 

[majormajor]

I know one thing. I have not seen Sam Hallam grin like he does when answering questions about a player like he does when he answers questions about Carlsson since he coached Pettersson in 17/18.

I like this description. So far we haven't seen Carlsson challenge defenders one on one as much at the World's. Is it something he is reluctant to do as a center? I would like him to be less careful, attack and let linemates cover for him when needed.

 

[EK47]

I like this description. So far we haven't seen Carlsson challenge defenders one on one as much at the World's. Is it something he is reluctant to do as a center? I would like him to be less careful, attack and let linemates cover for him when needed.

I wouldn’t say so. He challenged defenders like this during the EHT. I agree it has a bit less prominent during the worlds but I think part of that is the team is playing with a shorter leash. Indeed part of it might be that he hasn’t played center for most of the season aswell. He might need to display more authority in this regard ”Yeah I’ll try to deke players 1on1, sometimes I’ll fail” but I also think it’s the fact that Hallam likes a more careful game overall in the Worlds.

But sure he might resort to a more reserved game at center, at least for now. For this reason I think letting him have another full season in Sweden where he’ll almost certainly play EHT with Hallam as his coach might be very beneficial. Though I do think he is good enough to crack an NHL roster. But I maintain my belief that Hallam did a lot for Petterssons career with his calm confidence in him. I also think that having Klockare(Örebro) on his staff is to make Carlsson more comfortable, because he knows full well what he’s going to bring if handled correctly.

 

[majormajor]

But sure he might resort to a more reserved game at center, at least for now. For this reason I think letting him have another full season in Sweden where he’ll almost certainly play EHT with Hallam as his coach might be very beneficial. Though I do think he is good enough to crack an NHL roster. But I maintain my belief that Hallam did a lot for Petterssons career with his calm confidence in him.

My concern with that is how static SHL tends to be. The North American game is much more active and you have to test defenders constantly, no respect. I want Carlsson to play that way.

 

[EK47]

My concern with that is how static SHL tends to be. The North American game is much more active and you have to test defenders constantly, no respect. I want Carlsson to play that way.

Sure but Carlsson already plays that way in the SHL, I think its mostly a matter of new surroundings. Point is Hallams way of coaching mixed with what he does in the SHL could, in my very biased, amateurish opinion produce a much more well rounded player.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Leo Carlsson, born in Karlstad, Sweden on December 26th, 2004, is one of, if not, the best European prospect in this class. Standing at 6’3” and 194 pounds, the Swedish forward has played parts of the last two seasons in the SHL with Orebro HK. In total, he has 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 79 games in that span, playing in the top Swedish men’s league. This season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 44 games, an impressive staline for an 18-year-old.


With those stats, Carlsson has been consistently ranked within the draft’s top-five (outside of one site). He has been ranked as follows by various sites and experts: third by Smaht Scouting, SportsNet, Craig Button, McKeen’s Hockey, Bob McKenzie, The Hockey News, and Elite Prospects; fourth by FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, Dobber Prospects, and Draft Prospects Hockey; and sixth by Recruit Scouting. What makes him one of the best players in one of the best draft classes of the last few years?

Leo Carlsson 2023 NHL Draft Scouting Report #3

The 2023 NHL draft class is loaded. Leo Carlsson leads all European skaters and has been up at the top with Bedard and Fantilli.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[ThisIsMyAlibi]

Leo Carlsson, born in Karlstad, Sweden on December 26th, 2004, is one of, if not, the best European prospect in this class. Standing at 6’3” and 194 pounds, the Swedish forward has played parts of the last two seasons in the SHL with Orebro HK. In total, he has 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 79 games in that span, playing in the top Swedish men’s league. This season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 44 games, an impressive staline for an 18-year-old.


With those stats, Carlsson has been consistently ranked within the draft’s top-five (outside of one site). He has been ranked as follows by various sites and experts: third by Smaht Scouting, SportsNet, Craig Button, McKeen’s Hockey, Bob McKenzie, The Hockey News, and Elite Prospects; fourth by FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, Dobber Prospects, and Draft Prospects Hockey; and sixth by Recruit Scouting. What makes him one of the best players in one of the best draft classes of the last few years?

Leo Carlsson 2023 NHL Draft Scouting Report #3

The 2023 NHL draft class is loaded. Leo Carlsson leads all European skaters and has been up at the top with Bedard and Fantilli.

lastwordonsports.com

He’ll be the best player in this class.

 

[Postulates]

Leo Carlsson, born in Karlstad, Sweden on December 26th, 2004, is one of, if not, the best European prospect in this class. Standing at 6’3” and 194 pounds, the Swedish forward has played parts of the last two seasons in the SHL with Orebro HK. In total, he has 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 79 games in that span, playing in the top Swedish men’s league. This season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 44 games, an impressive staline for an 18-year-old.


With those stats, Carlsson has been consistently ranked within the draft’s top-five (outside of one site). He has been ranked as follows by various sites and experts: third by Smaht Scouting, SportsNet, Craig Button, McKeen’s Hockey, Bob McKenzie, The Hockey News, and Elite Prospects; fourth by FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, Dobber Prospects, and Draft Prospects Hockey; and sixth by Recruit Scouting. What makes him one of the best players in one of the best draft classes of the last few years?

Leo Carlsson 2023 NHL Draft Scouting Report #3

The 2023 NHL draft class is loaded. Leo Carlsson leads all European skaters and has been up at the top with Bedard and Fantilli.

lastwordonsports.com

4th by Mckenzie

 

[LastWordArmy]

4th by Mckenzie

When we wrote the article, mckenzie hadnt updated his pre-lottery ranking. He was third in his mid-season ranks.

 

[Ducks]

I think he's NHL ready now, but would need to start as a winger. I also don't think he's a lock to switch to C, he may stay on the wing. He plays well positionally and has good top speed once he gets going, but his acceleration isn't great. That's going to be a problem if he's playing in the NHL as a centerman and needs to get back to the defensive zone. He might just end up being much more effective as a playmaking winger who can suck in defenders and dish the puck to open ice. He uses his size well along the boards to win battles and he has a knack for reading the play, so yeah, just let him focus on offense.

 

[majormajor]

I think he's NHL ready now, but would need to start as a winger. I also don't think he's a lock to switch to C, he may stay on the wing. He plays well positionally and has good top speed once he gets going, but his acceleration isn't great. That's going to be a problem if he's playing in the NHL as a centerman and needs to get back to the defensive zone. He might just end up being much more effective as a playmaking winger who can suck in defenders and dish the puck to open ice. He uses his size well along the boards to win battles and he has a knack for reading the play, so yeah, just let him focus on offense.

I think Leo has looked slower in the Worlds so far and that that is likely because he's trying too hard to read (Sweden as a whole has been tentative) and not dictating the pace. But I think he can play faster, it's more of a mental limitation right now. He can also get faster, I see his strength gains and mechanical improvements as relatively straightforward and doable.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think Leo has looked slower in the Worlds so far and that that is likely because he's trying too hard to read (Sweden as a whole has been tentative) and not dictating the pace. But I think he can play faster, it's more of a mental limitation right now. He can also get faster, I see his strength gains and mechanical improvements as relatively straightforward and doable.

His legs aren't super strong yet, his skating is fine and will get better with strength.

Carlsson will be a NHL center and I put higher percentages on Smith and Fantilli becoming wingers in the NHL than I do Carlsson.

 

[Sliptip]

I was always such a massive fan of Raymond, but Carlsson has proven himself as the best swedish forward prospect in recent history(Pettersson did play in Allsvenskan which makes it complicated, but I think a lot of development came from the Växjö-year).

Would still like his skating to be a bit better, but that could come naturally from building strength and gettign more reps, but would like both speed and moreso agility). Especially if he is going to be a center and maximize his NHL impact.

Hoping for a year of massive development in Örebro next year.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Assist:

 

[Castle8130]

Did he look good?

 

[McCullogh]

Did he look good?

No disrespect to Hungary, but this was not a very good game to look at indviudal performances. There was just to much diffrence between the teams so it was acutally really boring to watch. Just look at the defending by Hungary in the tweet that hockeyfrilla embedded and that tells the story of the game.

 

[vildurson]

Did he look good?

He looked solid against Finland. Game against Hungary was a nothing game for both sides. He is definetly good for this pace but nothing exceptional. First line minutes/responsibilities are maybe bit too much for him right now.

I don't like the top line setup of the Sweden right now. Raymond - Carlsson - Berggren really has no clear finisher in this line and all guys like to stay with puck.

Also Raymond has had plenty of chances but not that much luck yet in scoreboard. Maybe this opened up a bit now.

I would like to note that I really like Carlsson and have him as 3rd in my board.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I think he's NHL ready now, but would need to start as a winger. I also don't think he's a lock to switch to C, he may stay on the wing. He plays well positionally and has good top speed once he gets going, but his acceleration isn't great. That's going to be a problem if he's playing in the NHL as a centerman and needs to get back to the defensive zone. He might just end up being much more effective as a playmaking winger who can suck in defenders and dish the puck to open ice. He uses his size well along the boards to win battles and he has a knack for reading the play, so yeah, just let him focus on offense.

I think long term, he's the least likely to convert to wing among the top center prospects in this draft, including Bedard.