Rising stars: Filip Bystedt

One of the most compelling things about this San Jose Sharks organization is the abundance of young talent, especially the forwards.  One center/left wing, who has been floating around the organization for a few years now, is seemingly ready to make the jump to the NHL: Filip Bystedt.  Prior to this year’s draft, it might’ve seemed wise to package the 22-year-old with someone like William Eklund to send off in a trade for an established defenseman before the Sharks selected Ivar Stenberg second overall.  While Stenberg was indeed drafted second overall, the Sharks dealt Eklund (for the ninth overall pick, used on defenseman Keaton Verhoeff) and held onto Bystedt and seemingly for good reason.  

Known for explosive bursts of speed, imaginative puck movement, and a rapid release shot, Bystedt has always been able to compete on high levels effectively.  In the 2020-2021 season, when he was 16-turning-17-years-old, Filip Bystedt joined the Linköping J20 Nationell team. Immediately making an impact, he put up 12 points (5G, 7A) in 15 games.  He made his name known instantly, and remarkably joined Linköping's SHL (Swedish professional league) team for a game that season.  Although he did not score in his single appearance, the fact he played a game at such a high level at that age alone is impressive.  

Ahead of the 2021-2022 season, Bystedt proudly wore Sweden’s Tre Kronor jersey in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an international tournament players participate in ahead of the season before their draft year.  Like many young Swedish Sharks, Bystedt was fantastic representing his country and helped lead them to bronze with 7 points (3G, 4A) in five games.  Following a great performance, Bystedt entered the next season with his head held high.

Although he had played for the Linköping J20 Nationell team the previous season, Bystedt joined the J18 Region team. This was short lived, though, as he managed 3 points (1G, 2A) in two games and was promoted to higher play.  With this promotion, Bystedt once again joined the J20 Nationell team.  In 40 games played, he scored an amazing 49 points (16G, 33A) and +23.  Qualifying for the J20 Top, an elite subdivision of the league’s best, he had the most assists in the subdivision with 18.  Bystedt then went on to lead Linköping to a SM Gold Medal, the league championship title, with a fantastic 10 points, a playoff leading 9 assists (1G), in eight games.  In the middle of the season, he once again represented Sweden and assisted in securing a gold medal in the U18 World Junior Championship scoring 3 points (2G, 1A) in six games.  A great season behind him, that summer the San Jose Sharks had no doubt in their minds when it came to drafting him 27th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Now drafted and with a large amount of success under his belt, Bystedt entered his first real season (2022-2023) in the SHL with Linköping and continued to impress. In 45 games, Filip Bystedt tallied 20 points (7G, 13A).  Although his 20 points was less than the future Anaheim Duck Leo Carlsson’s 25, Bystedt still was awarded the title of SHL’s Rookie of the Year.  In the middle of the season, he would yet again play for Sweden on an international scale, this time in the U20 World Junior Championship. Although he did not medal, Bystedt was spectacular with 10 points (4G, 6A) in seven games, resulting in him being named a top 3 player on his team. Following his regular season in the SHL, he rejoined the J20 Nationell team for a single regular season game for the purpose of assisting in the playoffs.  It certainly paid off for Bystedt and Linköping, with him recording 6 points (2G, 4A) in four playoff games.  With yet another great season, the San Jose Sharks decided it was time to sign Bystedt to an entry-level contract.

Despite signing an NHL contract, the San Jose Sharks went on to loan Filip Bystedt to the SHL for the 2023-2024 season.  On this loan, he played 47 regular season games and scored 17 points (8G, 9A) and 2 points (1G, 1A) in four playoff games.  That winter he once more played for Tre Kronor in the U20 World Junior Championship.  Terrific, as per usual in a Swedish sweater, Bystedt helped Sweden win a silver medal with 4 points (3G, 1A) in seven games.  Considering his stunning Swedish year (both in World Juniors and the SHL), the San Jose Barracuda called him back to participate in eight AHL games where he’d put up 7 points (4G, 3A).

Taking this short AHL stint into account, the following season Bystedt became a permanent fixture to the San Jose Barracuda.  Although he was unable to play a full season due to injury, Bystedt still managed 31 points (12G, 19A) in 50 games played.  He was even able to join the team for six playoff games, where he found the back of the net three times with that aforementioned quick shot.  However, Bystedt was not satisfied with that.

Last season, Bystedt took his performance to the next level.  Now an important piece of the Barracuda, Filip Bystedt fell into the natural role of a leader on the team and was outstanding.  In 65 games for the San Jose Barracuda, Bystedt had a team leading 60 points and 38 assists.  His 22 goals were second on the team, behind only Oliver Wahlstrom with 24.  With such a fantastic season, Bystedt was deservingly named to the AHL Pacific All-Star Team.    

Scouts have been praising his improvement, and he has proven he is seemingly ready to make the jump to the NHL.  However, the Sharks have some difficult choices to make: there are significantly more forwards than spots on the roster.  Bystedt has shown he absolutely deserves a shot in the NHL, and will likely thrive in that position especially considering his immense speed and big frame, but who does he replace in the lineup?  A Swedish connection line with Stenberg and Bystedt centering Alexander Wennberg could be interesting, but is it actually likely?  It certainly wouldn’t be even remotely surprising to see more of Bystedt in a Sharks sweater, but the lineup equation is definitely complicated.  That being said, at the very least he’s significantly increased his trade value, so if all else fails good will still come out of holding onto him this offseason.