The Washington Capitals selected forward Ludwig Persson with their third round pick (#85 overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft Friday afternoon in Montreal. Persson played for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey league last season.
Persson, 18, a 6’-0” center/left wing from Goteborg, Sweden, recorded 25 goals and 36 assists in just 41 regular season games for the J20 team last season.
Smooth skating offensively-minded forward. Needs to round out the rest of his game to earn opportunities to let his offense shine but possesses legitimate upside as a scoring threat at the NHL level.
The 18-year-old speedy Swede Ludwig Persson is a name to keep an eye on in the second round. The 6’0″ 179-pound dual-threat center winger possesses a never-quit work attitude, an excellent release and plays with an intensity that would be a perfect fit for Darryl Sutter hockey. Persson has spent the last 5 years in one of Sweden’s top hockey programs, Frolunda. Frolunda has produced NHL stars like goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and players Daniel Alfredsson, Alex Steen and Erik Karlsson- to name a few. This rich and classy organization has had a lot of success in creating future NHL players, and Persson has the ability to become the next one.
Persson is a slippery and very explosive winger that outskates most players over short distances. He goes from stationary to full-out really quick and takes advantage of that when he challenges opponents. When Persson has the puck, he is effective and often makes things happen and he could break the normal pattern. It could be anything from the easy and obvious pass but also the unpredictable that opens up things, which is something he uses from the right circle in a man advantage. Persson covers the puck well in tight areas and often takes himself into scoring chances. Persson is a weapon in the offensive zone with his smooth puckhandling and a good vision. He also has a quick, hard wrist shot that he likes to use. Without the puck, Persson does not rest. He plays both ways and works hard. To be even more effective, I would like Persson to be more straightforward and go for more shots. He has the potential to score more, but he could from time-to-time play more direct.
Persson’s release is quiet and quick, especially his wrister which he also can release with good power and accuracy. His strengths is in his offensive game, but I would like to see more improvement in his defensive game based on what I saw today. I want to see movement and activeness in his own zone all the time, not only at some parts of the game. He tends to be passive, standing still and puck watching when defending. I would like to see him being more aggressive and active, but also using more shoulder checks to know what is happening around him. With his skating, elusiveness and skillset, I believe that Persson has the potential to be a top-six player at NHL level. As of today, I could see him go early in the second round. But he has first round potential.
Persson is an electric, fast-paced, offensive-minded forward. He has a strong stride, allowing him to effortlessly gain speed and back up defenders as he enters the zone. He plays with a high-pace, making quick-decisions, but is still very patient and poised. He has highly skilled hands with fancy, effective stickhandling and high-end vision and hockey sense. He’s a great distributor, able to dish out a soft saucer or a quick, snappy pass. Likes to drive the net to create both shooting and passing opportunities.
By Jon Sorensen
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Lucas Edmonds was right there damn it, the rich get richer in Tampa
Time will tell if they missed that one.
Love the picks we’ve made so far. We’re swinging for the fences on high-ceiling offensive players with the exception of our “safe” pick in Chesley who also looks like a good choice.
I’m with you. I like to swing for the fences. Plucking one star from beyond the first round is worth a dozen 3rd liners.
Agree, Lance. We’ve had too many “middle tier prospects over the last 6-8 years. There needs to be a punch for high-caliber, which is tough to do when you make the playoffs every season.
Looks and sounds like a Backy of Off but needs to work on his D. Good choice and give his 2 years in Hershey and we will see him n the 2nd line with Lapierre. Or maybe Kuzy gets traded in 2 years and Lapierre and Persson fight it out for #1C.
Scout Danny Brooks found Fehervary in SHL. He does well in Europe.
Spot on.