San Jose Sharks select Leo Sahlin Wallenius No. 53 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

Ah yes, my favorite type of hockey prospect: the offensive defenseman with a wee bit of snarl. 

Playing for the Vaxjo Lakers’ U-20 junior affiliate in Sweden, Leo Sahlin Wallenius scored 11 goals and 31 assists for 42 points in 43 games last season, including three assists in seven games with Sweden’s U-18 team. 

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler really liked his game, calling him one of the better skaters for all defenseman in the draft, and that his offensive-zone instincts are already there. However, Sharks fans will notice that Sahlin Wallenius will try to force passes in traffic or attempt to carry the puck through the opponent’s zone, getting stripped and having to get back to cover. 

I asked two scouts to think of players to compare the Swedish defender to, with their answers being John-Michael Liles and Erik Gustafsson. That may not sound like high praise, but when you consider they both have had long NHL careers and were able to provide offensive depth on a team’s blue line, there’s worse things you can call someone. 

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis called Sahlin Wallenius “a skilled defenseman who plays at a high pace – but, sometimes, he outpaces himself.” 

“The offensive instincts are there, and he’s been able to rip apart opponents at the U-20 level,” Ellis wrote. “But you can catch him making unforced errors with the puck that put him in a bad spot.” 

Sounds a bit like Liles and Gustafsson. Again, I don’t want Sharks fans to think I’m knocking the guy: comparing someone to a player like Liles who had nearly 400 career points in over 800 regular-season games is nothing to sneeze at.

But don’t get your hopes so high for a player who still needs to round out their game once they take the next step and plays against grown adults.