The Swedish Hockey League is likely to be a center of attention for Leafs prospect watchers this season, not only if 2014 top pick William Nylander returns after training camp for a year of experience, but for promising youngsters Andreas Johnson and Viktor Loov, who could have an impact with the organization in the coming years.
Nylander is blessed with top end skill and could open eyes beginning next month at the Rookie Tournament in London, ON, but the Leafs adding a bevy of veteran depth forwards this summer makes it unlikely that the 18-year-old will crack the NHL roster.
Playing in the OHL (Nylander was drafted by Mississauga) would give the young forward a year of experience playing the North American game against players his age, but might not offer as much of a challenge after playing against adults last season.
Going to the AHL makes sense only if the Leafs think Nylander is nearly NHL-ready and want the option of calling him up during the season if players like David Booth or Mike Santorelli do not work out as top-six forward candidates.
Returning to Sweden is probably best overall option for the Leafs, as Nylander will have a chance to gain experience in a professional league he is familiar with, take part in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship and not start the clock on his three-year entry level deal, which would be the case if he was assigned to the Marlies.
Toronto has been very successful finding quality blueliners in Sweden, going back to Hall-of-Famer Borje Salming in the 1970’s, but more recently using late round picks to select former Leaf Carl Gunnarsson(7th round, 2007), Petter Granberg(4th round, 2010), Tom Nilsson(4th round, 2011) and Viktor Loov(7th round, 2012).
Granberg is expected to challenge for a spot with the Leafs in training camp after getting coming to North America last season and getting a taste of the NHL in the last game of the regular season. Nilsson was a finalist for the SHL Rookie-of-the-Year and will play for the Marlies this year, while the slick-skating and physically strong Loov will play with MODO.
Toronto scouts may have hit a home run with 19-year-old forward Andreas Johnson, selected 202nd overall in 2013. A scoring star at the 2014 IIHF World Juniors, Johnson won the SHL Rookie-of-the-Year and is blessed with great speed and puckhandling ability.
"He's a real gifted player with great offensive instincts," Maple Leafs director of player development Jim Hughes said in a recent column on
NHL.com. "His father [Jonas Johnson] is a professional coach, and Andreas was taught well. He plays inside out; everything comes from the front of the net. He stands out in the offensive zone. He's always around the front of the net. When he does get the puck, he knows how to protect it and keep it. He buys time and he buys space. He's a pretty good player right now.”
Johnson will also stay to play for Frolunda another season before making the jump next season, but the Leafs expect Johnson to be a top-six forward down the road.
Check out the highlights of Johnson scoring six points in a recent Champions Hockey League game.
http://www.championshockeyleague.net/video/highlights-brian-on-diables-rouges-vs-froelunda-gothenburg/450/
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