Best on Best 2023: Projecting Team Sweden’s roster
Welcome to Part 4 of Best on Best 2023, a series in which we dream up hypothetical international lineups if NHLers were called to play a tournament right now. We’ve broken down our Canada, USA and Finland rosters so far. Next up? It’s the balanced Team Sweden, which has a deep roster of NHL players to draw from at every position.
My colleague Steven Ellis and I will project rosters, sure, but we can’t do it alone. We brought in an American friend for team USA and a Finnish friend for Team Finland, so we obviously have to keep the trend going and get some Swedish help for Team Sweden. We welcome our pal Uffe Bodin, longtime hockey journalist and head of sports media at Everysport Group, as our pinch hitter.
First, a rule refresher for the exercise:
– Roster structure follows IIHF format for the Olympics and World Championship: 14 forwards, eight defensemen, three goaltenders, 25 players in total.
– Since we can’t say for certain when the next best-on-best event will happen, be it 2025 for a World Cup, 2026 for the Cortina Olympics or a later date, we are constructing rosters for today. As in, right now. Opening faceoff.
FORWARDS – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Adrian Kempe | Elias Pettersson | William Nylander |
| Filip Forsberg | Mika Zibanejad | Jesper Bratt |
| Lucas Raymond | Elias Lindholm | Rickard Rakell |
| Joel Eriksson Ek | Mikael Backlund | Jesper Fast |
| William Karlsson | Viktor Arvidsson |
This is one versatile forward group that should be extremely tough to play against. The top six features two dominant scoring centers in Elias Pettersson and Mika Zibanejad, while I’m banking on ‘International William Nylander’ to flick his God Mode switch and light it up on the top line. The Swedes are five or six deep at center, so I have to play Joel Eriksson Ek on the wing to get him in the lineup. Good luck scoring on that fourth line with him, Mikael Backlund and Jesper Fast.
Biggest flex: Maybe it’s a stretch to have Adrian Kempe on my first line, but he’s earned it with consecutive seasons of 35 and 41 goals. It also felt strange starting Fast over William Karlsson, but I want Fast in the lineup for his penalty killing prowess.
Toughest cut: Gabriel Landeskog obviously would’ve been my top-line left winger. But our hypothetical tourney is being played in 2023, and he’s unavailable until 2024 as he recovers from his knee injury. Andre Burakovsky was tough to leave off given his skill and rangy frame, too.
Also considered: Leo Carlsson, Victor Olofsson, Andre Burakovsky, Jesper Fast, Nicklas Backstrom, Calle Jarnkrok, Marcus Johansson, Gabriel Landeskog (if healthy)
FORWARDS – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Filip Forsberg | Elias Pettersson | William Nylander |
| Jesper Bratt | Elias Lindholm | Adrian Kempe |
| Lucas Raymond | Mika Zibanejad | William Karlsson |
| Andre Burakovsky | Mikael Backlund | Viktor Arvidsson |
| Joel Eriksson Ek | Rickard Rakell |
If there’s one thing this team will be good at, it’s bringing competitive energy. Pettersson is one of the best players in the NHL and is a clear No. 1 on this team. They’re as deep as ever on the wings, and they’d have significant power-play options to choose from. The fourth line would be extremely difficult to play against, and Joel Eriksson Ek and Rickard Rakell could fit in just about anywhere.
Biggest flex: It’s easy to forget about Rakell, who has never been a star but has always managed to stay relevant on the scoresheet. He’s coming off of one of the best campaigns of his career, and that 2018 World Championship performance was quite something. You can throw him anywhere, with anyone, and be pleased with the result.
Toughest cut: Nicklas Bäckström was once one of the best Swedes in the NHL, acting as a vital piece of Washington’s core for well over a decade. But staying healthy has been a concern, and the output from his past two years combined (52 points in 86 games) doesn’t beat his last healthy season (53 in 55 games in 2021-22). Luckily, the positive drug test from his allergy medication in 2014 wasn’t the last time we saw him don the yellow and blue – he had another crack at it at the 2016 World Cup.
Also considered: Leo Carlsson, Nicklas Bäckström, Jesper Fast, Victor Olofsson, Gustav Nyquist
FORWARDS – Uffe Bodin’s picks
| Filip Forsberg | Elias Pettersson | William Nylander |
| Jesper Bratt | Mika Zibanejad | Adrian Kempe |
| Andre Burakovsky | Elias Lindholm | Viktor Arvidsson |
| William Karlsson | Joel Eriksson Ek | Jesper Fast |
| Lucas Raymond | Mikael Backlund |
There’s a huge void where Gabriel Landeskog would normally reside, but thanks to breakthrough campaigns from guys like Adrian Kempe and Jesper Bratt, this still feels like a competitive lineup. The center depth is really good, so good I can actually place a guy like William Karlsson on the wing. Three offensive-minded lines (with some really good two-way players) and a fourth one that should be tough to play against. Some additional scoring power in a breakthrough candidate like Lucas Raymond and a competent vet in Backlund.
Biggest flex: Jesper Fast never gets any love over here, and hasn’t suited up for the national team since he moved to North America 10 years ago. It’s not like he would be a key player here, but he brings a lot to the table and should get more of the recognition he deserves in his home country.
Toughest cut: Rickard Rakell is a useful player who has often been really good for the national team when he has dressed in yellow and blue. I just couldn’t find a role for him here. I also played with the idea of throwing Leo Carlsson into the mix, but cooler heads prevailed.
Also considered: Rickard Rakell, Leo Carlsson, Jonatan Berggren, Pierre Engvall, Nicklas Bäckström, Carl Grundström.
DEFENSEMEN – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Victor Hedman | Erik Karlsson |
| Rasmus Dahlin | Rasmus Andersson |
| Hampus Lindholm | Jonas Brodin |
| Gustav Forsling | Mattias Ekholm |
What a loaded D-corps. A couple years ago, it didn’t seem like an elite wave of new blood was ready to succeed Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson. But now, you could argue my second pair of Rasmus Dahlin and Rasmus Andersson is my actual top pair, capable of deployment in all situations, while elder statesmen Karlsson and Hedman can focus on offense. And how about that shutdown third pair of Lindholm and Brodin? I’ll use them to smother the opposition.
Biggest flex: Brodin’s game slipped a bit this past season with Minnesota, and he doesn’t have the offensive upside of my 7-8, Gustav Forsling and Mattias Ekholm. I’m also playing Brodin on his wrong side. But the shutdown potential alongside Lindholm was too great to pass up.
Toughest cut: I have six left-shot blueliners in my D-corps. I was tempted to get a true righty, Adam Larsson, in there, especially because he possesses a rugged physical game different from what all my other D-men bring. In the end, I opted for more or a modern-style, smooth-skating brigade.
Also considered: Adam Larsson, John Klingberg, Marcus Pettersson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Rasmus Sandin
DEFENSEMEN – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Victor Hedman | Mattias Ekholm |
| Rasmus Dahlin | Erik Karlsson |
| Hampus Lindholm | Rasmus Andersson |
| Gustaf Forsling | Jonas Brodin |
This was a pretty cut-and-dry blueline to build, and why you won’t find many differences between the three. They have size, can move the puck and can play shut-down hockey. Developing speedy, puck-moving defenders has been a common trait in Swedish hockey in recent years, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s a couple of Norris Trophy winners in this group, either.
Biggest flex: Could you imagine having to try and split a D-pair that includes 6-foot-7 behemoth Hedman and 215-pound lumberjack Ekholm? I get the idea of putting Karlsson on there, but I’ll always love a physically dominant top pair backing up a high-scoring trio up front. Inflict maximum pain, guys.
Toughest cut: If this was the 2025 World Cup of Hockey, Simon Edvinsson would be there. But it’s not, so he’s not. But I fully expect him to be the future of the Swedish blueline.
Also considered: Jonas Brodin, Simon Edvinsson, John Klingberg, Erik Brännström, Marcus Pettersson
DEFENSEMEN – Uffe Bodin’s picks
| Victor Hedman | Erik Karlsson |
| Rasmus Dahlin | Mattias Ekholm |
| Hampus Lindholm | Rasmus Andersson |
| Gustav Forsling | Adam Larsson |
No lack of talent here. Hedman and Karlsson are close friends and should make an intriguing pair. Dahlin might actually be the best among these players. Pairing him with Ekholm should give him the freedom to roam and be creative offensively. Having Lindholm and Andersson as your third pair is a luxury few countries could afford. Forsling and Larsson are really reliable options to plug in anywhere you would need them.
Biggest flex: Believe it or not, Rasmus Andersson has never suited up for the Swedish national team. I don’t know if there’s some kind of history there between the federation and him, but given his stellar play for the Flames these past two years, it would be a scandal if he wasn’t on the team.
Toughest cut: I’ve always been a big Jonas Brodin fan, so it hurts not having the Minnesota Wild blueliner here. The competition is just too damn hard.
Also considered: Jonas Brodin, Marcus Pettersson, Rasmus Sandin, John Klingberg, Erik Brännström
GOALTENDERS – Matt Larkin’s picks
| Linus Ullmark |
| Jacob Markstrom |
| Filip Gustavsson |
With Robin Lehner’s health ruling him out in the present, this trio was pretty easy to pick. No other NHL-grade Swedish goalies are on the level of Linus Ullmark, Jacob Markstrom and Filip Gustavsson right now.
Biggest flex: I don’t think my picks are controversial at all. But you could make a case it’s a “flex” to dress Markstrom as my No. 2 over Gustavsson given how much Markstrom’s play fell off last season.
Toughest cut: None. These were the clear-cut choices for my top three. It would’ve been fun to squeeze mega-prospect Jesper Wallstedt in there, though.
Also considered: Anton Forsberg, Jesper Wallstedt, Robin Lehner (if healthy)
GOALTENDERS – Steven Ellis’ picks
| Linus Ullmark |
| Filip Gustavsson |
| Jacob Markstrom |
There’s no point in trying to big-brain this one. The Swedes have decent goaltending depth, with the most recent Vezina Trophy winner leading the way. It’s hard to go wrong with this group.
Biggest flex: I was the only one who put Gustavsson at No. 2. Ullmark is still the clear No. 1, and Gustavsson might only get a game or two in (if this was real), but he needs to be rewarded for his fantastic season in Minnesota. I can’t keep making excuses for Markstrom at this point, either.
Toughest cut: See, I almost big-brained this by selecting Jesper Wallstedt. He’s the best goaltending prospect in the game with an excellent CV. But at 20 years old, and with no NHL experience, it’s hard to justify, unfortunately.
Also considered: Jesper Wallstedt, Samuel Ersson, Anton Forsberg, Linus Söderström, Magnus Hellberg
GOALTENDERS – Uffe Bodin’s picks
| Linus Ullmark |
| Jacob Markstrom |
| Filip Gustavsson |
Considering what a sensational season he had, Ullmark should be the starter here. But you have to keep in mind that Markström has much more international experience (and success) than his compatriot. Despite having a down year last season, his resume speaks for itself. It would be a battle. Filip Gustavsson serves as insurance.
Biggest flex: I guess pumping Markström’s tires after the rough season he had could be seen as foolish. But goalies are voodoo, right?
Toughest cut: Considering Robin Lehner’s health issues, there’s not really anyone who is close to these three. I guess you could make a case for Anton Forsberg, but he was also injured down the stretch.
Also considered: Anton Forsberg, Samuel Ersson, Lars Johansson, Magnus Hellberg, Jesper Wallstedt
Teams at a Glance
TEAM LARKIN
Kempe-Pettersson-Nylander
Forsberg-Zibanejad-Bratt
Raymond-E. Lindholm-Rakell
Eriksson Ek-Backlund-Fast
(W. Karlsson, Arvidsson)
Hedman-E. Karlsson
Dahlin-Andersson
H. Lindhom-Brodin
(Forsling, Ekholm)
Ullmark
Markstrom
(Gustavsson)
TEAM ELLIS
Forsberg-Pettersson-Nylander
Bratt-E. Lindholm-Kempe
Raymond-Zibanejad-W. Karlsson
Burakovsky-Backlund-Arvidsson
(Eriksson Ek, Rakell)
Hedman-Ekholm
Dahlin-E. Karlsson
H. Lindholm-Andersson
(Forsling, Brodin)
Ullmark
Gustavsson
(Markstrom)
TEAM BODIN
Forsberg-Pettersson-Nylander
Bratt-Zibanejad-Kempe
Burakovsky-E. Lindholm-Arvidsson
W. Karlsson-Eriksson Ek-Fast
(Raymond, Backlund)
Hedman-E. Karlsson
Dahlin-Ekholm
H. Lindhom-Andersson
(Forsling, Larsson)
Ullmark
Markstrom
(Gustavsson)
Previous Best on Best 2023 entries
Team Canada
Team USA
Team Finland
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