Axel Sandin Pellikka leads NHL prospects to watch in the SHL on FloHockey

Sweden has become one of the most reliable producers of NHL talent outside of North America. Because some of the biggest clubs have elite development systems, Swedish ice hockey players receive first-class training from a young age and now often move on to professional clubs at younger and younger ages.

FloHockey brings you more than 100 Swedish Ice Hockey League games all season long with English commentary exclusively in the United States. In addition to streaming AHL, ECHL, top junior and college hockey, FloHockey remains one of the best places to watch some of the best talent before they become stars in the NHL. We are pleased that the SHL is now part of this mix.

FloHockey’s first SHL broadcast of the 2024-25 season will take place on Thursday, October 3, when legendary clubs Frölunda and MoDo face off at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The entire October SHL broadcast schedule on FloHockey is now available. More games will be added as the season progresses. Here are some of the top NHL prospects to keep an eye on this season.

Top NHL prospects to watch in the SHL this season

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Skellefteå AIK (DET)

Although only 19 years old, Sandin-Pellikka has already played 66 games in the SHL over the last two seasons. Even more is expected in his third year in the league after setting the incredible bar last season with 10 goals and 18 points in 39 professional games. His 10 goals were the second most ever by a U19 defenseman in the SHL.

In his first five games of the 2024-25 season, the Red Wings’ 2023 first-round pick has already scored four points, including two goals. He also plays top pair minutes more regularly and thrives in that situation.

Sandin-Pellikka is a talented puck player who has poise beyond his age and is only getting better.

Otto Stenberg, C/W, Malmö (STL)

After spending much of the last four seasons in the Frölunda system, Stenberg signed his NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues and moved to Malmö on loan. It will be an opportunity to play a more prominent role and probably be a more productive player in the top flight. The first results prove this.

Stenberg, who shined last season after a loan spell at Allsvenskan side BIK Karlskoga, has already picked up three points in his first four SHL games this season with Malmö.

An aggressive, clever striker, Stenberg has a strong motor and has shown the ability to score against his peers, particularly at international level. Stenberg scored nine points in Sweden’s silver medal win at the Junior World Championships last winter and should be a key player for that team in December.

David Edstrom, C, Frölunda (NSH)

Edstrom was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and had already been traded twice before ever setting foot in the NHL. It wasn’t really because of anything Edstrom did or didn’t do. Both trades were big, with him being part of the package that sent Vegas to San Jose for Tomas Hertl and then him being part of what sent San Jose to Nashville for Yaroslav Askarov. It has had little impact on Edstrom as he has remained in Sweden since being drafted.

Edstrom is a 6-foot-3 center with above-average hands for a big man and has impressive strengths. He played 44 SHL games last season and contributed 19 points. He has provided one assist in five games so far.

Theo Lindstein, D, Brynäs (STL)

After helping Brynäs gain promotion to the SHL last season, Lindstein is back and playing an important role for the club where he spent the last six seasons. Lindstein was selected 29th overall by the Blues in a three-pick first-round draft in 2023 and has been a consistent two-way defenseman in his young career.

Lindstein scored 15 points in 49 Allsvenskan games last season, but really shined at the 2023 Junior World Championships, picking up eight points in seven games as Sweden took silver. He will have the chance to return to the tournament this season.

Stian Solberg, D, Farjestad (ANA)

After playing professionally in his native Norway, Solberg decided to make the move to Sweden before being taken in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks last June. This is his first season in Sweden’s top professional circuit and Solberg has already made an impact playing top four minutes for his new club.

Solberg’s rise as a youth player last season was rapid and he made a great final impression at the World Cup, which resulted in him being picked 23rd overall.

The 18-year-old Norwegian is a stunning bodychecker who has good mobility and knows how to defend at a professional level. He also stands at 1.90 meters tall and weighs over 90 kilograms, so he will be a handful for the opponent.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, Skellefteå (DET)

Although Brandsegg-Nygård is still in the Detroit Red Wings training camp, it is expected that he will return to Sweden. After spending the last two seasons with Mora IK in the Hockey Allsvenskan, the 18-year-old Norwegian striker will make his first appearance in Sweden’s top professional league this season.

He has a great shot and can shoot it from almost anywhere. Additionally, Brandsegg-Nygård is an aggressive, aggressive player who can play physical and take control on the forecheck. He’ll have to make some adjustments if he wants to get going in the SHL, but his game has a lot to offer.

Damian Clara, G, Farjestad (ANA)

One of the best goalkeeper candidates in Sweden is actually an Italian international. Clara is a big man with a huge ceiling, both literally and figuratively. He is 1.80 meters tall and weighs 100 kilograms and has had a particularly impressive professional season in the Allsvenskan.

During the 2023-24 season, the Ducks’ second-round pick posted a .913 save percentage in 34 games during the regular season. However, he shined best in Brynäs’ attempt to get promoted to the SHL, which they succeeded in doing. Clara had a .935 save percentage while going 10-1-0 in the qualifying tournament.

In three appearances this year with Färjestad, Clara has a .912 save percentage and has won each of his two starts.

Oskar Vuollet, C/W, Skellefteå (CAR)

Just yesterday, Vuollet became one of the youngest players in SHL history to score a hat trick in a game in a 5-2 win over Luleå. The Carolina Hurricanes’ 2024 fifth-round pick has scored four goals in his first five games this season after posting zero points in 15 SHL appearances a season ago. He was a top scorer in the U20 rankings, but this start was simply impressive.

Other notable U23 NHL prospects to keep an eye on in the SHL

• Dominik Badinka, D, Malmö (Carolina Hurricanes)
• Jack Berglund, C/W, Farjestad BK (Philadelphia Flyers)
• Noah Dower-Nilsson, C, Frölunda (Detroit Red Wings)
• Melvin Fernström, RW, Örebro HK (Vancouver Canucks)
• Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C, HV71 (Seattle Kraken)
• Zeb Forsfjäll, C, Skellefteå AIK (Seattle Kraken)
• Eddie Genborg, F, Linköping HC (2025 NHL Draft eligible)
• Mattias Hävelid, D, Linköping HC (San Jose Sharks)
• Ludvig Jansson, D, Lulea (Florida Panthers)
• Anton Johansson, D, Leksands (Detroit Red Wings)
• Oliver Kapanen, C, Timra (Montreal Canadiens)
• Viktor Nörringer, LW, Frölunda HC (Nashville Predators)
• Joel Nystrom, D, Farjestad BK (Carolina Hurricanes)
• Lucas Pettersson, C, MoDo Hockey (Anaheim Ducks)
• Luka Radivojvich, D, Örebro HK (2025 NHL Draft eligible)
• Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo Lakers HC (San Jose Sharks)
• Victor Stjernborg, C/W, Vaxjo Lakers HC (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Alberg Sjoberg, D, Malmo Redhawks (Dallas Stars)
• Linus Sjödin, C/W, Rögle BK (Buffalo Sabres)
• Noah Steen, LW, Orebro HK (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Joel Svensson, C/W, Vaxjo (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Herman Träff, LW, HV71 (New Jersey Devils)
• Fabian Wagner, C/W, Linköping HC (Winnipeg Jets)

How to stream the SHL in the United States

FloHockey is the SHL’s exclusive streaming partner in the United States for 100 games with English commentary in the 2024-25 season and beyond. Sign up here for live and on-demand access to every game.

SHL games will be streamed on FloHockey in October

Click here to view the October SHL broadcast schedule on FloHockey.

Notable SHL alumni currently playing in the NHL

The SHL is one of the most reliable producers of NHL talent in Europe. Here is just a small selection of current NHL players who first developed their games in the SHL.

• Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks (Växjo)
• Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning (MoDo)
• Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (Frölunda HC)
• William Nylander, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs (MoDo)
• Adrian Kempe, RW, Los Angeles Kings (MoDo)
• Kevin Fiala, LW, Los Angeles Kings (HV71)
• Linus Ullmark, G, Ottawa Senators (MoDo)
• Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils (Brynas)

NHL prospect coverage on FloHockey

For the best, most comprehensive coverage of NHL Minor League Hockey and the NHL Draft, visit FloHockey. Don’t miss the latest prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey team.

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