Anaheim Ducks select forward Leo Carlsson No. 2 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

The Anaheim Ducks landed one of this year’s most coveted prospects when they selected Leo Carlsson No. 2 overall in the NHL Entry Draft on Wednesday.

Scouts laud Carlsson for his 6-foot-3, 194lb frame, two-way game, and pro-readiness. The 18-year-old played for Orebro HK in the SHL, Sweden’s top league, and represented that country at the IIHF World Championship during the 2022-2023 season.  

His size and 79 games of professional experience will give Ducks coach Greg Cronin hope that Carlsson could debut in the NHL as early as next season.

Carlsson collected 10 goals and 25 points in 44 regular-season games with Orebro last season before scoring another three goals and five points in eight games at the World Championship as Sweden finished sixth. The big centerman did not look out of place alongside former All-Rookie winger Lucas Raymond at that tournament.

“Carlsson combines speed, physicality and a penchant for highlight-reel plays,” Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis said. “He has size, creates havoc in front of the net and held his own against quality competition in the SHL. The highest-scoring U-19 player in Sweden, Carlsson isn’t far from being NHL-ready. 

Of the players at his position, draft experts have typically listed Carlsson behind only Connor Bedard, now of the Blackhawks, and Adam Fantilli. Throughout most of the season, he has jousted with Matvei Michkov of Russia’s KHL for the spot of top European skater.

Because Carlsson has no experience in the CHL, the Ducks could give him an extended AHL audition with the San Deigo Gulls in the unlikely event he does not crack their opening-night roster.

If Carlsson cashes in on his immense potential, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek could have landed a physical, offensively-gifted center vein of Mark Scheiffele or Tomas Hertl that can hit, score, and drive the net.