[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hard Hat Edition):

LHC Linus Eriksson is showing up lately as a potential first-rounder on some lists, and it's not really because of his offensive play, like most prospects. Sure, offense is an important component of his resume, but I think scouts love him for his uncompromising defensive game, his character, and his leadership capabilities. Eriksson has had stops this season in Djurgardens' J20 team (a rather pedestrian 21 points in 24 games), and has aquitted himself well in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier men's league, with 6 points in 22 games- which makes him the highest U-18 scorer in that league. He's been heating up there recently, with 5 points in his last 10 games. In International play, it seems that Eriksson and Lucas Pettersen are always the ones in their age group wearing the letters for Team Sweden, with Eriksson wearing the "C" at the Hlinka, and the World Junior A Challenge- tournaments that saw him get rave reviews for his play, and it was more of the same at the Five Nations Cup.

Eriksson is a solid, two-way center, who is pehaps one of those "good at everything, but not elite at anything" types, but he does all the little things that a team needs to win, that often go unappreciated. If there's an elite quality in his repertoire, it may be his work-ethic, as he's always the hardest working player on the ice. He plays a mature, pro-style game, with good habits, and will not cheat the game. He's a leader, and can often be seen directing traffic on the ice in the defensive zone, and when defending the rush. Defense may be his defining trait, and he's a play-killer, covering huge swaths of ice in the neutral-and defensive zone on his own, and making those areas impossible to cross. It seems like he's everywhere because of his proactive awareness, and always in the right place at the right time to make stops by smothering his opponents, and robbing them of all time and space. He intercepts passes, blocks shots, snuffs rushes, wins faceoffs, and strips pucks, and does so with energy and a high motor. There's a physical component to his game, and he will battle all over the ice for possession, and will throw hits to separate man from puck. He can be put up against the best players on a nightly basis, and he will shut them down.

Eriksson wouldn't be a first-round candidate if he was just a shut-down player. On the other side of the puck, Eriksson employs the same work-ethic to be a consistent offensive threat- he has sublime IQ and vision, and has shown flashes of being a high-end playmaker, but also has a wicked shot with a potent release, that he can pick corners with. He employs the same principles of taking away time and space from opponents that he uses in the defensive zone, when on the forecheck- he smothers his prey, and dislodges the puck. Eriksson is an excellent skater, perhaps not a burner, and he plays with pace, making smart decisions on-and-off the puck to maximize his effectiveness. In transition, his speed helps him get through open ice, and he can make clean, crisp passes in full flight.

While Eriksson is not really a play-driver, or an elite offensive weapon, he's the kind of player that teams need to win. If the stars align, he could end up being a David Kreijci-lite, or he could settle in as a reliable middle-6 two-way player, like a Mikael Backlund. I think he gets picked in the 2nd round.