Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D/Vaxjo Lakers
Like Terik Parascak, Leo Sahlin Wallenius is a high-scoring player but on the blue line. This past season, he scored seven goals and 23 points in 28 games of international play, and he was also the alternate captain on the Vaxjo Lakers at the J20 Nationell level. There, he snagged 11 goals and 42 points in 43 regular season games before he finished the year with a trio of assists in five playoff games.
One reason for his dynamic productivity is the fact he can stickhandle well and outmaneuver opponents, leaving him to find an open forward to help finish a sequence.
Also, like Parascak, I’m not getting so ambitious as to rank Sahlin Wallenius higher than some of the other big-name defensemen who may be there when the Red Wings pick. Prospects like Sam Dickinson, Carter Yakemchuk, Stian Solberg, and Adam Jiricek are all solid options and perhaps even better.
But if an influx of blueliners goes ahead of the Red Wings and if Steve Yzerman is looking to take one, it would be tough to call Leo Sahlin Wallenius a reach. Beyond his productivity, Sahlin Wallenius also has good size for his age at 6’0, 183 lbs, meaning he should hold his own if he gets a chance in the SHL next season.
If not, then we can expect him to dominate at the J20-Nationell level once again in 2024-25. While it’s still a longshot that Sahline Wallenius will go in the middle of the first round at the moment, if he drops to the second, someone is getting a steal.