On the second day of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Oskar Magnusson with the 211h pick overall. The Capitals acquired the pick by trading next year’s seventh rounder pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Magnusson was born in Trelleborg, Sweden on January 31, 2002. The 5’10”, 165lb. left- handed shooter has played both Center and Right Wing.
Most recently Magnusson played for the Malmo Redhawks, dividing his time between their Swedish Hockey League (SHL) team, their Junior 20 Super Elite team, and their Under 18 team during the 2019-20 season, primarily playing with their Junior 20 team. He played in 38 games at the Junior 20 Super Elite level, scoring 22 goals and recording 26 assists for 58 points overall. Magnusson played in just one game for their Under 18 team but scored a goal and had an assist. He played in 4 games at the SHL. In 2020-21, he has played in three games with the Malmo Redhawks at the SHL level and five games with the Junior 20 team, recording five assists for the latter.
He has also represented Sweden internationally at the Under 16, Under 17, and Under 18 levels, most recently playing in the Gretzky Hlinka Cup where he was part of the Bronze Medal winning team. Overall, Magnusson played 13 games with the national Under-18 Team, scoring two goals and four assists for six points.
Magnusson is considered an offensive winger with a very good all round game and top six potential. He quickly spots passing lanes and can take advantage of them. He is considered to be a very smart player who keeps his head up while carrying the puck and sees the ice extremely well. He is a threat on both the power play and the penalty kill.
The opinions on his skating are mixed, with some saying he is not a bad skater but not an elite skater enough to overcome his small size. While others consider him a great skater. He is considered a very smart player. He keeps his head up while carrying the puck and sees the ice extremely well. He anticipates where his teammates are headed and can find them with a pass through a tight passing lane.
Magnusson was drafted as part of the Caps’ strategy to gamble on players who the scouts thought decided could have higher potential than what was widely believed. Back in April, he signed an “A” team (i.e. top league) contract with the Malmo Redhawks.
Further Reading
Dobber Prospects Profile
Last Word on Hockey Profile
Hockey Writers Profile
Elite Prospects Profile
Capitals Draft Oskar Magnusson with 211th Pick
By Diane Doyle
