Samuel Eriksson

Samuel Eriksson
Rankings
Other THW Draft Profiles
NHL Draft Projection
Quotables
Strengths
Under Construction/Improvements
NHL Potential
Awards/Achievements
Statistics
Videos

2025-26 Team: Farjestad BK U20 (SHL)
Date of Birth: March 20, 2008
Place of Birth: Karlstad, Sweden
Ht: 6-foot-5 Wt: 212 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 31st (among EU skaters)
Baracchini’s March Top 96 (THW): 94th

Eriksson is a massive defenseman, with a 6-foot-5, 212-pound frame, and some believe that when he fills out, he will be impossible to play against. His size, combined with his instincts in his own zone, makes him one of the most impressive mid-round finds of the draft.

He has a great defensive game already, uses his frame well and makes great plays with his stick, taking up a ton of space without needing to move as much as others. He also plays a physical game, which makes him even more punishing in the D-zone.

Eriksson has a calm game, with instincts to make smart passes as a pass-first defenseman. He has a blazing slapshot when he decides to use it. He also forces dump-ins, controls gaps well, and doesn’t take penalties. He had just 18 penalty minutes (PIM) last season, across all levels.

The criticism about his game stems from the fact that he’s considered a “clunky skater”, not generating a ton of speed with his strides. He’s not super agile either, but with his size and as a stay-at-home defenseman, he doesn’t need to be. However, he doesn’t have the puck skills to be a great two-way defenseman. He can be inaccurate in his passing, but when he’s delivering the first pass out of the D-zone, it’s usually sharp.

Eriksson is one of those high-floor, low-ceiling prospects who plays a similar style to LA Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson in his prime – a tough to play against defense-first blueliner who plays a very physical game.

Other THW Draft Profiles

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NHL Draft Projection

Eriksson is projected to go in the late third round by Peter Baracchini, but I’ve seen other rankings, like Upside Hockey, list him as a fifth- to seventh-round pick. I’d slot him as an early fourth-rounder.

The Kings would be a good landing spot. They prioritize bigger defenseman and would have Edmundson to mentor him. He would be a good fit with the New York Islanders as well. With Kashawn Aitcheson and Isaiah George looking more NHL-ready, they could keep Eriksson in Sweden for a few more seasons and see how he develops.

Quotables

“Eriksson is a monster of a hockey player. I refuse to believe he’s only 6-4. Once he fills out, he’s going to be an absolute unit. He uses his size and reach very well, he just seems to cover an absurd amount of space in the defensive zone without a ton of movement. Eriksson plays calm with and without the puck. The execution isn’t always perfect, and he can make some silly passes, but he’s clearly trying to do the right thing and is willing to be patient and take a hit to make a play. A really intriguing player I’ll be keeping an eye on all year.” — Greyson Goudy, Dobber Prospects

“Eriksson is a bit of a clunky skater, and only generates average-ish speed out his stride for a giant, with less-than-optimum agility – but with his size, reach, and enormous range, he doesn’t need to be a speed-demon at this level. Primarily a shutdown option, he forces dump-ins and uncontrolled play when going up against the rush, showing solid gap-control and smart angling to direct attackers to the boards, where he finishes them with deft stickwork and menacing bodychecks.” — Upside Hockey

Strengths

Big frame, with the potential to fill out even more
Able to mitigate gaps and take up a lot of space with his frame
Great stick work in the defensive zone, forcing dump-ins and out-of-control puck-handling
Very punishing checking defenseman that doesn’t draw penalties
Plays calmly and in rhythm already

Under Construction/Improvements

Clunky skater; not much agility or speed
Can be inaccurate with passes in the offensive zone
Most offensive involvement is slap shots from the point
Doesn’t have the puck skill to be an NHL two-way defenseman

NHL Potential

Eriksson profiles as a shutdown second or third-pair defenseman. He already has good defensive instincts and uses his size well, but he’ll need to fill out a little more to become an NHL-caliber defenseman.

He also needs to improve his skating. It’s not as important to his game, considering he’s more of a stay-at-home defenseman, but it would give him more NHL time.

Risk/Reward Analysis

Risk: 2/5, Reward: 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense: 2/10 Defense: 7/10