The country of Sweden is a hockey hot bed. So much talent is emerging out of the Nordic land and more and more Swedes put themselves on the map every year in the NHL. With hockey greats like Niklas Lidstrom and Peter Forsberg no longer in the game, the new wave of Swedish sensations is upon us. Sweden has what seems to be an endless pool of up-and-coming players coming from the SHL, formerly Elitserien. Is there something in that cold Scandinavian water? If there is, I don't see why they would stop drinking it. Sweden is a powerhouse of hockey talent.
Here, in no order, are the top 5 Swedes in the NHL under the age of 25:
OLIVER EKMAN-LARSSON - D, Arizona Coyotes
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of the top offensive defensemen in the league, and arguably the best active Swedish defender in the NHL. OEL, as he is often referred to as, excels offensively. His agility and skating ability can makes him able to get himself out of trouble in his own zone. Puck moving is one of OEL's biggest attributes and he uses his speed to start offensive breakouts and even jump in on the rush. His 23 goals in the 14-15 campaign set a record for most goals in a season by a Swedish-born defenseman. He quarterback's Arizona's power-play and is a prime example of the modern-day offensive defenseman.
GABRIEL LANDESKOG - LW, Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog has leadership abilities that are rarely seen from someone his age. He's 22 now, but in 2012 he was named the captain of the Colorado Avalanche at just 19 years of age. The youngest player to ever don the captain's "C" of an NHL sweater. Landeskog has incredible poise and low-panic level. He plays calm and collect with his blue-collar style of play. He can be physical in certain situations, creating offensive opportunities . He displays and adds leadership into any situation.
HAMPUS LINDHOLM - D, Anaheim Ducks
21 years-old and he's already the clear-cut best defenseman on a team that is at the tip-top of the league. Lindholm is a two-way defenseman who possesses an incredible amount of vision and uses it to its full capability when it comes to time to make a breakout pass or get himself out of trouble. A smooth skater with a 6'4 frame, Lindholm shows great offensive upside. He sees powerplay time on the second unit and first-unit penalty kill time. He is a player that the Ducks can throw out in any situation with full trust that he will get the job done. he is shaping up to be an elite defenseman and will be one of the best in the league in the next few years.
VICTOR HEDMAN - D, Tampa Bay Lightning
At 6"6", 229 lbs, Victor Hedman is an imposing figure on Tampa Bay's blueline. The second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft has established himself as the leader of his team's defensive corps and one of the most versatile two-way defenders in the game. His size allows to him to be physical and body people off the puck. Don't let his size fool you, the 24 year-old can skate with the best of him, as he possesses a fine amount of agility and speed for someone his size. While not being the captain, Hedman still has fine leadership qualities that in my opinion will make him be a great captain someday.
FILIP FORSBERG - RW, Nashville Predators
The 2014-2015 season was Filip Forsberg's first full season in the NHL, and boy did he make noise. 26 goals and 37 assists in his rookie campaign led him to an All-Star Game invitation and being named to the postseason All-Rookie team. Forsberg wields a great amount scoring touch and offensive vision coupled with great hands. He is an offensive dynamo who can change the pace of an entire game. Forsberg is only 21 and we can expect multiple seasons of him putting up numbers like he did last year.
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