Leo Carlsson

Big bodied Swedish Centre-wing who handles the puck well, display excellent vision, plays a two way game and shows competitiveness in his battles for pucks. He is a big horse who is a force. He played as a regular with Orebro HK in the SHL last season, and has faired very well, creating offense and is able to beat opposing defenders one on one. So far has played exclusively on the wing in the Swedish pro league. He is a difficult to stop freight train barreling through the neutral zone and picks up steam on his entry and will cut hard to the middle, attacking the net. Has good hands, feet and stick and there is room on his frame for more size and strength. Very imaginative with the puck, and an unselfish playmaker who also can score impressive goals. Plays in all situations and the top power play and penalty kill units. Drifts to open areas in the attack zone, and if it draws defenders, he hits the teammate who's gained that open space. I know these evaluations are junior player versus junior, but he is very on his stick and arrives where pucks are and wins most possessions away from players that seemed to have strong possession. He does drift back to the right side when it vacates, as he is very comfortable there. A team leader with excellent drive and calm in his possessions. Knows exactly when to drift on down into close to the blue scoring areas whenever a puck may possibly being coming his way for a tip in or rebound. In the August Four Nations U-20 Tourney, he had six points and was a plus 4. Captained the Swedish U-18 club. Currently the third line centre on Örebro HK, he sees time on the power play and has 11 points in his first 14 SHL games. He was part of the Christams 2022 version of the 2023 World Junior Tourney, where most international teams bring many a centre who gets delegated to the wing position, so we saw Carlsson as a left wing, but has also seemed comfortable on the portsideas he is on the offhanded RW.   Looks to be the first Swedish player to get his name called in 2023, and future NHL big centre, and his name will be off the in the top four or five.

                                                                           --Bill Płaczek--