Sweden Stock Watch: Penguins prospect Melvin Fernström riding hot streak in SHL

The regular seasons in Sweden are in their last few games heading into playoffs and relegation games. That means the level of intensity and pressure is at its highest. From a prospect standpoint, some teams prefer to trust a talented kid who doesn’t fully understand the pressure, while others don’t want to take the risk. A typical example of that is how Anaheim’s second-round pick from last summer, Lucas Pettersson, played as a top offensive player on a bottom team in HockeyAllsvenskan, thriving in that role, only to be called up by Modo, who are near the bottom of the standings in the SHL. There, he will get his chances too, but he won’t be playing under as much pressure to be "the guy" who has to deliver. What’s best for him right now isn’t Modo’s biggest priority; they need to secure their spot in the SHL.

Stock Rising 📈

Melvin Fernström, RW, Örebro HK (Pittsburgh Penguins)

As I write this, 19-year-old Melvin Fernström has scored seven points in his last seven SHL games. Pittsburgh acquired his rights from Vancouver in the Marcus Pettersson deal, and the fact that Fernström is looking more and more comfortable in the SHL is good news for the Penguins. Fernström remains the same type of player he was when he was a top scorer at the junior level. He has a good shot and is a strong playmaker with the puck. He excels at lurking in the offensive zone and finding open space, making him very dangerous when left unchecked. With time and space, he is a skilled finisher who can find holes in most goalies. However, I wouldn’t describe him as a driver of play—he rarely dictates transition play or creates space for himself or others in the offensive zone. He is a top-six forward who will need to contribute in more areas of the game to avoid being just an AHL scorer when he moves over.

Samuel Jonsson, G, BIK Karlskoga (Edmonton Oilers)

Samuel Jonsson has had an excellent season in HockeyAllsvenskan. After a tough 2023–24 season, where he played only eight games, the 21-year-old netminder has made an impressive comeback and is now one of the top goalies in the league. He is 6-foot-5 but moves with the agility of a smaller goalie, utilizing a low stance and impressive mobility. This allows him to react quickly in and out of position, both up and down and laterally across the crease. He actively tracks the puck and gets square to the shooter quickly. However, his low stance sometimes leaves openings over his shoulders, and he can be overly aggressive on shooters, making him vulnerable to lateral passes. Overall, Jonsson has shown great potential, and the Oilers should aim to bring him over as soon as they can secure a good role for him in the AHL. With patience and development, his size and agility could make him a long-term success.

Viggo Björck, C/RW, Djurgårdens IF (2026 NHL Draft)

Viggo Björck has been making headlines in Sweden lately. The 16-year-old scored a goal and had a very impressive first senior game with Djurgården, proving he can compete at that level. However, Djurgården is allowing him time to develop in the junior league. In J20, he made another big splash by becoming the all-time top scorer (all ages) in the top J20 league when he reached 72 points in his 40th game. He has 26 points in 14 games in the J20 Top 10 league (where teams only face the best competition). Recently, I saw him excel at the U18 Five Nations tournament, where he was arguably Sweden’s best player. Björck appears to be a special talent, even though he isn’t particularly tall or fast. His intensity, drive, elite hockey sense, shooting, and playmaking make him a dangerous player. He is also strong in his lower body and handles the physical game well. He is an early top candidate for the 2026 draft.

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, C/LW, Luleå HF (2025 NHL Draft)

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak has continued to develop his game throughout the season. He started with a disappointing performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he lacked intensity. However, he then began skating more without the puck and improved his defensive play. Luleå J20 shifted him to centre, where he played on the penalty kill and took on more responsibilities. His production in the fall was solid but not spectacular. Since January, however, his offensive game has exploded—he is scoring at a goal-per-game pace and averaging nearly two points per game. Ihs-Wozniak is a top-six type of player with a strong shot, capable of scoring both on one-timers and hard wrist shots. He is also a good playmaker with a knack for finding open ice. The concern with him is that, despite his good size, he still relies a lot on finesse. That said, he continues to improve and is strengthening his draft stock.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö Lakers (San Jose Sharks)

Leo Sahlin Wallenius may have had one of the strangest first SHL goals ever—he lost the puck on a breakout, and the opposing team ended up scoring on their own net without another teammate touching the puck. That aside, Leo has been playing well since returning from a brief stint with TPS in Liiga. He has been earning more ice time and is trusted in various situations. He plays a strong two-way game, skates well, and manages the puck effectively. He is a good passer who makes smart decisions while carrying the puck. He also shows some ability to manipulate forecheckers when retrieving dump-ins and isn’t afraid to go first to the puck. In the offensive zone, he has good timing with his passes. However, he still needs to improve as a rush defender, but given his skating ability and decent reach, that should be achievable. He projects as a fourth or fifth defenceman who can skate and move the puck well.

Stock Falling 📉

Linus Eriksson, C, Timrå IK (Florida Panthers)

Linus Eriksson is playing regularly in the SHL, which is always impressive for an 18-year-old, so calling his stock "falling" might be a bit harsh. He also recently recorded his first two points. He is currently a fourth-line centre and consistently makes smart defensive decisions. He is proactive, covers for teammates, and maintains strong positioning. However, his offensive game is concerning—he rarely makes creative plays and often resorts to chipping or dumping the puck away from possession. His offensive contributions are minimal, and his line frequently gets stuck in its own zone. Linus is a smart centre with bottom-six NHL potential, but to reach that level, he must develop his offensive game and make plays more consistently.