Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 20th-ranked prospect, center Isac Lundestrom.
Isac Lundestrom
2017–18 Team: Lulea (Sweden)
Date of Birth: November 6, 1999
Place of Birth: Gallivare, Sweden
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 8 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 3 (European Skaters)
NHL Comparable: Mikko Koivu
Isac Lundestrom is a Swedish center playing for Lulea in the SHL, Sweden’s top men’s league. Despite being just 18 years old, Lundestrom has already spent two seasons in the SHL, a rare feat for someone his age. This speaks to Lundestrom’s game, as he has already played a man’s game for a couple of years. Lundestrom is capable of playing on the wing as well.
One of the first things one notices when watching Lundestrom is his skating. While he is not an elite speedster, he uses his acceleration and balance well, cutting and weaving all over the ice with ease. Although not the largest player, Lundestrom has strong legs, making it difficult for opponents to knock him off the puck and skate through attempted checks along the boards.
Lundestrom excels offensively because of his elite hockey sense. He is exceedingly patient for players of his age. His patience and awareness allows for him to hold on to the puck long enough to make the right decision, which he does almost exclusively. Lundestrom has no issues waiting out a defender for a play to develop or a goalie to put the puck in the net.
His high-end vision allows Lundestrom to be a really good passer, which in combination with his patience and awareness makes him a highly effective playmaker.
Lundestrom possesses a good shot, which he can use to beat goalies from the outside. His above average hands also allow him to be effective close to the net, in both deke and rebound situations. If there is one downside to his shooting, it is that he probably does not do it enough. He is generally a pass-first player, which he is good at, but he would be more dangerous if he chose to shoot more frequently. This would also help keep defenders and the goalie more honest, which would give him better opportunities to pass by opening up more space for his teammates.
Lundestrom is pretty good in the defensive zone, as his hockey sense and awareness allow him to recognize threats and shut them down. His hockey sense and awareness also allow him to generate pressure and cause turnovers, which he is then able to transition to offense quickly.
Though not overly big, Lundestrom is not afraid to use his body on the forecheck and to fight for loose pucks. He will need to improve his strength to reach his potential in the NHL, especially if he is going to be a center. The only other area of his game he really needs to improve on is at the faceoff dot. Additional time in the SHL should help with gaining more experience taking faceoffs against men.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Lundestrom would be a reach with the eighth pick and will not be available when the Hawks pick again at 27. The minimal deficiencies in his game will not see him drop far enough to be available at the end of the first round. The only likely way he could be headed to Chicago would be if the Blackhawks trade down from eight or up from 27, which does not appear will be the case.
Timeline
Lundestrom signed a contract extension with Lulea for next season, so the earliest he could come to North America would be 2019–20. If the team selecting him deems he needs time to adjust to North American hockey, he could spend a year in the American Hockey League as well.
Projection
Lundestrom does not have the elite offensive game required of being a top-line center. He could reach the level of a good second line center with enough development. However, he likely better fits as a middle-six winger or third line center with enough upside to create a long and successful career for himself.
What others are saying
“Playing smart, two-way hockey at high speeds is something you rarely see from any teenager, let alone one that receives top-six minutes in Sweden’s top league. Lundestrom was far too advanced a prospect to play junior hockey, and he succeeded with an altered role for Lulea. He’s fast, aggressive and loves to cause havoc on the forecheck. But don’t think for one second that his speed is what makes him a tantalizing prospect – Lundestrom is very creative with the puck and can bury chances from in close.
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
“Skilled puck-distributor has shown very well as a draft-eligible player in the SHL and didn’t look out of place as a draft-minus one player in the top league either. His skill set may not jump off the page, but the nuances to his game are terrific. He’s the type of player you like the more you watch him. In a centre-lite draft, his stock will continue to rise. Soft hands and plus-rated hockey sense allows him to flourish in all situations. Saw his role expand in the WJC and thrived with more ice.”
— Cam Robinson/Dobber Prospects
And a bonus video, a short documentary produced by Trans World Sport.