Ahead of the start of the SHL season tomorrow, MLive’s Ansar Khan lists the Red Wings’ Swedish prospects, all six of them:
Eddie Genborg, RW, Timra IK (SHL): The 44th overall pick this year is big and strong (6-2, 205), skates well, plays physical and likes to forecheck. He’s hard to play against, the type of player the Red Wings need. After coming up in the Linkoping system, where he appeared in 28 games for the big club last season (two goals, no assists), he’s moved on to Timra.
Michal Svrcek, LW, Brynas IF (SHL): Selected in the fourth round this year (114th overall), he plays bigger than his size (5-11, 190) and is noted for his compete level and skating ability. The Slovakian had his initiation to the men’s league last season, appearing in 17 regular season games (one goal, two assists) and 10 playoff games (two assists).
Charlie Forslund, LW/RW, Mora IK (Allsvenskan): Big winger (6-4, 212) taken 176th overall in 2024 is said to have a wicked release but didn’t really show it last year with just nine goals in 50 games, mostly with the J20 team. Now, at 19, he’ll play in the second division men’s league.
Noah Dower-Nilsson, C/LW, Frolunda (SHL): A skilled playmaker who’s starting his second full season in the men’s league after producing four goals and 10 points in 35 games last season (no points in seven playoff games). He was selected in the third round in 2023 (No. 73).
Anton Johansson, D, Leksands IF (SHL): Good-sized two-way defenseman (6-4, 198) made a favorable impression during a brief stint late last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, picking up five assists in 11 regular season games and one assist in three playoff games. The 104th overall pick in 2022, he returned to Leksands on a loan for his fourth season in the SHL, where his father, Thomas, is the general manager. He’ll return to the Griffins after the SHL season.
Maximilian Kilpinen, LW, Hudiksvalls HC (HockeyEttan): The Red Wings have until June 1, 2026, to decide whether to sign this fourth-round pick from 2022 (129th overall), and it’s not looking promising, considering he’s been demoted from the second men’s league (Allsvenskan) to the third tier (HockeyEttan) at age 21.
