2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Eric Nilson

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Matt Barry | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:46 PM ET

Eric Nilson is a 6-foot, 115-pound right-shot center from Calgary, Alberta. The recently turned 18-year-old spent this past season with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish J20 Nationell League and contributed 12 goals and 26 assists in 37 regular season games. In the postseason, Nilson scored six goals with seven assists in nine games. In the U18 World Junior Championships, Nilson tallied two goals and three assists in seven games for Sweden. In International play overall, the forward scored 16 goals with ten assists in 29 games.

Eric Nilson is ranked by some hockey evaluators in the top 40 in scouting reports, some ranking him within the top 50 of the upcoming NHL Draft, and a late first-round to early second-round selection as center. The following list will show the scouting rankings for Eric Nilson:

Ranked #31 by Inside The Rink
Ranked #7 by NHL Central Scouting (European skaters)
Ranked 34 by Daily Faceoff
Ranked #28 by Recruit Scouting
Ranked #33 by Sportsnet
Ranked #36 by TSN/Bob McKenzie

Scouting Report

Nilson has the bloodlines as his father, Marcus Nilson, was a nine-year veteran of the NHL, playing for Florida and Calgary. Eric Nilson has been scouted as a player with high hockey IQ and the ability to play a solid two-way style. Nilson’s compete level is also highly touted. Nilson is not projected to be a big scorer, but a dependable player who could make his mark in the NHL as a reliable player on both ends of the ice and in all situations. Nilson is headed to Michigan State in the fall.