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We continue our prospect review and forecast series with a review and forecast for defenseman Sebastian Walffridsson. (You can access all of our Capitals Prospect Reports and player analysis on our “Prospects” page on the top menu bar, or right here.)
CONTRACT
Walffridsson, 19, was a fifth round draft pick (#151 overall) by the Capitals in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He remains unsigned by the Capitals.
CAREER
The 6’-0”, 192-pound left-hander has spent a majority of his career in the Swedish leagues.
2017-2018 SEASON SUMMARY
Walffridsson continues to develop as a two-way physical defensemen during his time in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Walffridsson essentially split his season between the SuperElit League and Allsvenskan.
Walffridsson ended his SuperElit season with two goals and two assists in 24 games, while finishing with three assists in 31 games in the Allvenskan league.
2017-2018 MONTH-BY-MONTH RECAP AND TREND ANALYSIS
The following is a compilation of our month-by-month prospect reports for Sebastian Walffridsson during the 2017-2018 season.
October
Not too much to say about the recently drafted defensemen. He is in the same league as Elgestal and is off to a decent start with one assist in six games, while being the third-youngest player on the team. But offense isn’t his game. He’s a rare, feisty Swedish player that’s known for his physical defensive game. He just received an invitation to the World Juniors U20 tournament this year, joining countryman Axel Fjallby, which can only be a good thing.
Trending: Same
November
After only having one assist in his first six games, Sebastian added two more helpers in the next eight games. Not mind-blowing, but again, he’s more a physical defensemen than point-getter. Plus, he’s the third-youngest player on his team. It will be interesting to see what he can do at the World Juniors in December.
Trending: Same
December
Walffridsson has been splitting his season between the SuperElit League and Allsvenskan. His point total for both are two points in 13 games and 3 points in 21 games, respectively. A feisty defensemen that plays a defensive style, he’ll need to grow his offensive game.
Trending: Same
January
Walffridsson continues to split his time between the SuperElit League and Allsvenskan. In the SuperElit league he added one point in four games, and then added zero points in eight games in Allsvenskan. But points aren’t his game. It’s playing a feisty defensive game.
Trending: Same
February
Walffridsson is still playing his heavy defensive feisty game in the SuperElit league. Not putting up much offense but helping shut down the other tea.
Trending: Same
March
Walffridsson ended his SuperElit season with two goals and two assists in 24 games, while finishing with three assists in 31 games in the Allvenskan league. A pure defensive player with a nastiness to his game, he will make sure opposing players are uncomfortable if they’re in his zone. The Caps don’t have many nasty players outside of Tyler Lewington, so it’s good to have one in the system. Only time will tell if his defensive side of the game is strong enough to make an impact in North America.
Trending: Same
HIGHLIGHTS
PROSPECT FORECAST
Still a project at this point, it will be at least one more year in Sweden for the 19-year-old Walfridsson, possibly two. Most consider Walfridsson a traditional two-way player, including Walfridsson himself, but it’s his defensive game that has opened eyes. His defensive game s coming along nicely, but the offensive game will need to improve before he makes his way to the states.
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