SWE: Not So Magic

The 15th overall draft pick in 2003 Robert Nilsson had a disappointing 2003/2004 campaign, upstaged by fellow countryman and second rounder Loui Eriksson, who may prove to have been the better pick.

Nilsson failed to build on his record breaking rookie SEL campaign, struggling for icetime, while Eriksson emerged as the SEL Rookie of the Year Award.

Here are some of the notable Swedes out of last year’s draft class that are worthy of note for the right or wrong reasons.

Robert Nilsson, C, Djurgarden (1st round, NYI, 15th overall)

Review: Everything that could possibly go wrong for the son of ‘Mr. Magic’, Kent Nilsson, did this season. Robert Nilsson looked hungry at the start of the year and skated well, but quickly became the scapegoat of Leksand head coach Jarmo Tolvanen, after failing to show progress. Nilsson wound up getting either scratched or playing on the fourth line for much of the year. The limited icetime did not do wonders for the youngster’s confidence and after months of disharmony in Leksand, he finished the season with moderate success in the Swiss league. Robert is now the property of his father’s former team, Djurgarden. Tolvanen eventually lost his job at the end of the season, as his team was relegated from the Elite League.

Grade: C. It was a disappointing season for Nilsson. Some of it was his fault and some of it was out of his hands. Next year we’ll be able to judge as to who the real Robert Nilsson is.

Forecast: Should bounce back and play a key role for Djurgarden’s offense next season.

Loui Eriksson, LW, Frolunda (2nd round DAL, 33th overall)

Review: Loui battled his way up from junior and seized a spot on the defending champions’ roster right off the bat last fall. Although he skated on the fourth line for most of the year, Eriksson showed flashes of offensive brilliance and picked up the occasional goal. His big breakthrough came at the end of the campaign, when he was promoted to Alexander Steen’s line. The two showed impressive chemistry and Eriksson thrived as a result. At the Under-20 World Juniors, Eriksson was one of the standouts for the national team, considerable outplaying Robert Nilsson.

Grade: A. A great year makes for grand expectations for the sophomore campaign.

Forecast: Moving up the depth chart and will most likely be a top-five scorer on the club next season.

Liam Lindstrom, C/W, Sundsvall, (4th round PHX, 115th overall)

Review: It was a season from hell for the talented Lindstrom. Before his year with the 2nd league Sundsvall even started, he was involved in a car crash – a DUI incident. Ever since, everything went downhill for the talented forward. Lindstrom failed to amass a single point for the year, despite getting opportunities on the top lines and was completely ignored by U-20 National team coaches.

Grade: F. Not much more to say – he failed in every way imaginable.

Forecast: It was a lost season and Lidstrom will start from scratch, as a fringe second league player. As it seems right now, the Coyotes wasted their fourth rounder.

Mattias Karlsson, D, Brynas, (4th round, OTT, 135th overall)

Review: The unheralded rearguard was a surprise pick by Ottawa last year. Karlsson spent the majority of his campaign in the junior league and was one of the top rearguards around. His size and all-around skills began to come through, as Karlsson developed into a go-to player who controlled the play in each and every game. He is set to make the big step into pro hockey.

Grade: C+. Has developed steadily, but all the biggest challenges are still ahead.

Forecast: Saw a few shifts in the SEL and he’ll get his chance to seize a regular spot on the Brynas blueline.

Dragan Umicevic, RW/C, Sodertalje, (6th round, EDM, 184th overall)

Review: In terms of pure offensive talent, Umicevic was right there with Nilsson and Eriksson in the 2003 draft. However, much like Nilsson, Umicevic did not jell well with his coaches, although in Dragan’s case it was more of his own doing. Umicevic had a prior reputation for being difficult and failed to redeem himself yet again. A moody player, he gets to get complacent when things don’t go his way, easily getting ratteld and distracted much to the disappointment of his coaches. Dragan spent his season bouncing between Sodertalje’s fourth line in the SEL and the club’s junior team, before getting sent down to play in a moderately successful tour with Bjorkloven in the second league.

Grade: D. Skill-wise, he has untapped potential, but his head is rarely in it.

Forecast: Could be an impact player for Sodertalje next season – it’s just a matter of how badly he wants to succeed.