LD Malte Gustafsson - HV71, SHL (2026 Draft)

[McMozesmadness]

Gustafsson was sensational today, so I thought I’d post a little recap I put together

Defensively, he skated miles, punished the Canadians on zone entries, ate them alive in the corners, defended the net front consistently and threw a few thunderous checks. He played with tight gaps and an active stick, giving the Canadians no time and space to operate and if you wanted to get to the net you were eating a cross check. He also showcased the offensive upside, pushing the pace with his feet and passing. He loves to support play up ice, but never sacrifices defence to chase the play. Played a game high 28:10. Just all around dominant

This was one of the highest highs I’ve seen from a prospect this year. He’s big, rangy, competitive and mean. Plays with an active stick and has great feet. He’s nimble for his size and can escape checks, with his head up scanning. Offensive tools don’t scream PP1 to me, but he has a good toolkit. Played against men in SHL and didn’t look out of place, but this tournament against his own age group has shown how high end his upside is. He’s so advanced, but at the same time so raw

I think GM’s will be salivating at the thought of drafting him

 

[Surfer Dude]

how does he comp to Solberg who popped during same tourny in his draft year to be picked in early 20s by ANA.

Seems he's got more offensive upside to push him into the teens area but what about top 10 with the other D compared to Verhoeff for example? Some of the top D prospects from NA are kinda underwhelming (edit: from the tourny).

 

[landy92mack29]

how does he comp to Solberg who popped during same tourny in his draft year to be picked in early 20s by ANA.

Seems he's got more offensive upside to push him into the teens area but what about top 10 with the other D compared to Verhoeff for example? Some of the top D prospects from NA are kinda underwhelming.

Lol what? This is by far the best dman class in a long time, especially the top end guys.

 

[Surfer Dude]

Lol what? This is by far the best dman class in a long time, especially the top end guys.

talking about the performance at the U18 tourny ...

 

[thrillhous]

talking about the performance at the U18 tourny ...

But Verhoeff is the only one that participated in this tournament so what you’re saying doesn’t make any sense. Reid was too old to participate and both Carels and Rudolph weren’t able to join the Canadian team. Smits is the other highly ranked D and he’s also too old for the tournament.

 

[Surfer Dude]

But Verhoeff is the only one that participated in this tournament so what you’re saying doesn’t make any sense. Reid was too old to participate and both Carels and Rudolph weren’t able to join the Canadian team. Smits is the other highly ranked D and he’s also too old for the tournament.

I already said the top NA D prospect at the tourny following post from ppl who mentioned his play in the tourny. didn't think i have to spell out it's referring to verhoeff and lin who are still projected in top 15 in different rankings... EP had Verhoeff at 10/11 and cam said this tourney fits with why they had him lower while CP still has him higher. Both were disappointed by Lin.

In comparison, prior to this, scouts wrote Gustafsson in the SHL seemed more in the mold of boring physical D perhaps like Solberg (U20 perhaps not U18). it's interesting that the new update from posters above indicates that he is showing offensive upside playing his peer age group which led me to wonder how far he can rise from this tourny and put him in the range of top 10 for some defense needy teams...

hope that explains at least who was being referred to, didn't think i needed to spell out names on a prospect board...

 

[FLAMESFAN]

After the game yesterday, I'm interested...

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Logged big minutes vs Canada!

 

[brrt]

how does he comp to Solberg who popped during same tourny in his draft year to be picked in early 20s by ANA.

Seems he's got more offensive upside to push him into the teens area but what about top 10 with the other D compared to Verhoeff for example? Some of the top D prospects from NA are kinda underwhelming (edit: from the tourny).

They are both athletic. That's about as far their similarities goes. Solberg didn't play in this tournament in his draft year either. He's a December birthday.

 

[Scoresberg]

Starting to get really interested in this guy. Big, physical, good skater, punishing defender and doesn't have hands of stone. What's not to like?

 

[PattyLafontaine]

Think I mentioned it in the defenseman thread, but I think Sharks go with him at 9.

 

[Habstastic]

Think I mentioned it in the defenseman thread, but I think Sharks go with him at 9.

I can absolutely see this happening. I have him at 10 in my draft ranking and he fits exactly what SJ needs. Perfect partner for offensively minded Dickinson.

 

[gothegr8]

i'm pretty sure SJS would rather have a RD, but yeah his profile would still be a fit.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Said it on the Canucks board but this guy stylistically plays like Chris Pronger.

Obviously im not saying hes going to be a hall of famer, im just saying stylistically.

Big, Mean, erases any play around the net or on the boards. Smart but not skilled offensively.

Modern day comparison would be a hybrid of Simon Edvidsson/Mattias Ekholm


He absolutely locked down Team Canada. I think he goes top 15

 

[DesmondDekker]

Said it on the Canucks board but this guy stylistically plays like Chris Pronger.

Obviously im not saying hes going to be a hall of famer, im just saying stylistically.

Big, Mean, erases any play around the net or on the boards. Smart but not skilled offensively.

Modern day comparison would be a hybrid of Simon Edvidsson/Mattias Ekholm


He absolutely locked down Team Canada. I think he goes top 15

I’ve had him between 15-20 pretty much all year but I think he’s closer to the 10th spot than the 15th at this point.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Signed a 1 year extension with HV71 in the SHL.

 

[coooldude]

Since the lottery, he's getting mocked and ranked just below or above 10, which feels right re: where he'll go. Think he has a shot to be a really great get for a team.

 

[Thechozen1]

Seems like Ekholm 2.0. I think Florida takes him at #9. Fits the mould of how they play.

 

[FinlandPanther]

How is his skating? A Mikkola clone is certainly a great get.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

How is his skating? A Mikkola clone is certainly a great get.

He's a good skater

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

 

[BKarchitect]

I would put heavy, heavy bets down somebody takes him inside the top 10.

 

[Carl Lindros]

I would put heavy, heavy bets down somebody takes him inside the top 10.

I think so too, every draft podcast I have listened to the last few days or any podcast that talks about the draft has mentioned him and how he's shooting up the boards.

 

[ginner classic]

I think so too, every draft podcast I have listened to the last few days or any podcast that talks about the draft has mentioned him and how he's shooting up the boards.

Yep. He could pass Verhoeff. Easily.

 

[lanky]

I would guess that he's among the top D group now (was 5 now 6) and could be drafted in front of any of them not named Chase.