Filip Eriksson Has NHL Transferrable Skills

Filip Eriksson is an interesting prospect to watch. I’m not crazy and won’t guarantee that a sixth-round pick from the 2023 NHL Draft will be an NHL regular, but it happens and I have an open mind when it comes to this versatile player.

Statistics tell you that he was really good in J18. In 2021-22, he had 20 goals and 29 assists in 38 games and three points in three playoff games. Moving up the ladder, to J20, he had 13 goals and 16 assists in 20 games. This was a big season of development for him.

Eriksson was injured for most of his draft season and that contributed to him being a sixth-rounder. He does seem to be better than that.

Related: NHL Draft Tracker 2023, Montreal Canadiens Picks

The first thing I noticed about Eriksson is his passing ability. He has some power behind the passes. Eriksson has a hair trigger with his passing and with his wrist shot. He’s not afraid to shoot. Currently, with the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL, he has six goals and four assists in 32 games. The Swede is getting under a minute on the power play so that’s one reason. The other is he is 20 playing in a men’s league.

According to InStat he’s only 35% on draws. His defensive zone starts is light at 26%. Eriksson has defensive awareness. He strikes me more as an offensive player who should play on the wing rather than center.

At 6’0”, 182, he is winning half of his puck battles and he will occasionally use the body. He can skate, he has a good hockey I.Q. and the development path is there. I’ll keep an eye on him this season.