The Anaheim Ducks have made a bit of a surprise choice, selecting Swedish center Leo Carlsson second overall.
Carlsson rose up draft lists thanks to a stellar sophomore season with Orebro HK in the SHL. Carlsson posted 10 goals and 25 points in 44 games in the regular season and helped propel Orebro on a solid run in the SHL playoffs with nine points in 13 games.
While he isn’t the strongest skater, Carlsson offers a tantalizing combination of size and skill. He’s projected to play the center position in the NHL, enhancing his value even further. While he largely played wing at Orebro, he ended up Sweden’s No. 1 center at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championships, and many believe he has the potential to occupy a similar role in the NHL and be the face of a franchise.
To some, skipping over Michigan’s Adam Fantilli is a massive oversight. The well-rounded center was the public consensus second overall pick and was only the third freshman in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker Award for the best player in college hockey.
The Carlsson selection does offer the Ducks a bit more versatility down the middle, giving them options in case one of Carlsson, Trevor Zegras or Mason McTavish needs to get shifted to the wing longer term. Still, one has to wonder if passing over the likely best player available is a wise choice.
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