Prospect Info: Felix Nilsson - C | 43rd Overall | 2023 Draft

[LastWordArmy]

Nilsson was ranked in the third round on our board. He's included in this list of prospects.

2023 NHL Draft Scouting Reports: Prospects 71-80

With the 2023 NHL Draft right around the corner, it's time to round out the top-80 prospects on LWOH's group big board!

lastwordonsports.com

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Some links and reports...

Felix Nilsson - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Felix Nilsson, 2005-06-22 Stockholm, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the SHL with Rögle BK. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

2023 NHL Draft prospect profile: Undervalued Felix Nilsson could go early in the second round

A lot of players have flown up the rankings this season, but not many have had the same rise as Rögle’s Felix Nilsson. McKeens’ Brock Otten pointed Nilsson out after the 2022 World Junior A Challenge…

www.habseyesontheprize.com

Felix Nilsson - 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Felix Nilsson is another interesting Swedish prospect in the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft. Find out more about him in his profile.

thehockeywriters.com

Sweden Stock Watch: Felix Nilsson a silent riser in the 2023 NHL Draft

This month's Sweden Stock Watch zeroes in on Felix Nilsson, Alex Čiernik, Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, Noah Östlund, Liam Öhgren, Kalle Carlsson, and Otto Stenberg.

eprinkside.com

2023 NHL Draft Profile: Felix Nilsson | PPP Leafs

Looking at the potential hidden gem that is Felix Nilsson, and his stellar metrics in Sweden's junior league this season. He would make an ideal late round pick for Toronto.

www.pensionplanpuppets.com

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I was a little surprised they moved up that early to get him. Obviously they had to know that teams ahead of them were definitely planning to take him (Chicago and Buffalo). Otherwise you wouldn't trade up just 3 spots. But at that place in the draft, with a lot of "name recognition" for some of the other players who were still available, it was a surprising move to me... they must really like him and must have had him ranked a good bit higher, possibly even at the end of the 1st?

Which I find intriguing, because so far I haven't quite found a report yet where I can really see what his main selling point is, aside from being a smart-ish 2-way CENTER. He's not notably big, no special skill set noted in skating or anything, just an "all-round" kind of player? Sounds a bit like Svechkov's projection, albeit at a 2nd round level instead of a 1st like Svechkov. So it would be interesting to hear if anybody has some good leads on what made Nilsson so appealing, because so far I haven't read what it is that would make him fit into Trotz's stated draft strategy (whereas most of our other picks do in one way or another seem to have some selling trait in some area that makes them stand out at least within their draft tier).

 

[Kat Predator]

Good all-around forward with a high hockey IQ. Sounds good. Stick him in the oven and see what happens...

 

[theslatcher]

His first international U20 game and his first goal to go along with it.

 

[PredsV82]

His first international U20 game and his first goal to go along with it.

Thank you for posting!

 

[Scoresberg]

Nilsson's has come out the gates strong early on this season. Started the season in Allsvenskan which is the AHL equivalent in Sweden. Didn't produce jaw-dropping numbers down there but got called up to the SHL nonetheless. Has scored 5 points in 6 games since.

Here's his primary helper from yesterday's game:

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Played 40 games in the SHL and one of the leading scorers during Sweden's disappointing WJC run. Also played for Sweden's men's team in the Czech portion of the Europe Hockey tournament.

Is he any closer to an ELC or are the Predators content to take a wait-and-see approach?

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Played 40 games in the SHL and one of the leading scorers during Sweden's disappointing WJC run. Also played for Sweden's men's team in the Czech portion of the Europe Hockey tournament.

Is he any closer to an ELC or are the Predators content to take a wait-and-see approach?

No idea, we hear nothing. I guess in the case of a player like Nilsson they want to see definite top-6 upside? They really seemed to want him at the draft. But our organization is weird like that… they pick some middle softer skill guys, but then when it comes to integrating them into the NHL lineup show no consideration whatsoever?

I’m not saying I know anything about Nilsson. But just going by his stats and descriptions he really doesn’t seem like the kind of player our management wants/values? In which case… if so… why are we picking these guys?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

No idea, we hear nothing. I guess in the case of a player like Nilsson they want to see definite top-6 upside? They really seemed to want him at the draft. But our organization is weird like that… they pick some middle softer skill guys, but then when it comes to integrating them into the NHL lineup show no consideration whatsoever?

I’m not saying I know anything about Nilsson. But just going by his stats and descriptions he really doesn’t seem like the kind of player our management wants/values? In which case… if so… why are we picking these guys?

Don’t understand why he hasn’t been signed. Has made string progress since draft. Looked good in WJC too (only time I’ve seen him play).

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Don’t understand why he hasn’t been signed. Has made string progress since draft. Looked good in WJC too (only time I’ve seen him play).

I don't think there's any big need to sign him yet, we can ride out another year seeing how he develops in Sweden. He sort of sounds similar to Svechkov.

 

[Olderfan]

No idea, we hear nothing. I guess in the case of a player like Nilsson they want to see definite top-6 upside? They really seemed to want him at the draft. But our organization is weird like that… they pick some middle softer skill guys, but then when it comes to integrating them into the NHL lineup show no consideration whatsoever?

I’m not saying I know anything about Nilsson. But just going by his stats and descriptions he really doesn’t seem like the kind of player our management wants/values? In which case… if so… why are we picking these guys?

I think you’ve hit on a big mystery. Preds draft these players with what seems some rational thought process. But the NHL roster always seems like completely different kinds of players. It’s as though Preds really don’t want the players they draft preferring older, seasoned, “trusted” players who play D primarily, are generally bigger, tougher, less offensive skilled, etc. This includes players in the tail end of better years. It mystifies me that they rarely seem to think a drafted player is “ready” and many seem to show up, get limited, protected minutes and finally just get discarded or disappear after much early hoopala.
So, one thing discussed briefly in another thread, I would not be the least bit surprised for the GM to sign Jeannot. He is exactly the kind of player the GM seems to admire.
Surely some of the drafted kids are worthy of more quality minutes than Preds generally give.
Now I know I’m generalizing and specific players can be named who did succeed but what about all those who just disappeared after seeming so promising?

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

It's definitely weird with a guy like Nilsson, because they seemed to like him so much that they traded up to get him.

While in the meantime we now know they coveted Gibson also and subsequently reached out get him too. Now Gibson, Lind... those are players who seem to fit the mould of what the Preds are looking for in terms of grit and physicality.

But a number of their other picks, like Nilsson, and the various and sundry 5-10or11/180ish kind of offensive forwards they've been drafting a fair number of lately don't really seem to fit? And when they do actually show a little promise like Novak, Tomasino, etc... just don't seem to be appreciated enough to keep around, so what really was the point?