Senators Select Eric Engstrand 155th Overall
The Swedish winger had a phenomenal U20 season.
With the 155th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected Eric Engstrand; a left wing for the Malmö Redhawks of the SHL.
The 20 year-old Swede has yet to find points in his first SHL stints, but absolutely tore it up last season for the Malmö U20 team. He scored 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points in 37 games, and shone in the playoffs the year prior, tallying five points in six games.
Our own Colin Cudmore’s rankings had Engstrand ranked in the 161-163 range, only ranked by one scout, making it a slight reach by the Senators once again.
Colin had this to add as an honourable mention in our post on Swedish forwards:
As for an overager that I’m more a fan of, Eric Engstrand is also in his third year of eligibility and was third in SuperElit points per game behind Nybeck and Canucks prospect Arvid Costmar. He posted a relative GF% of +14.42, and is physically imposing as a strong 6’4” winger. That was certainly helpful when dominating players 2-3 years younger than him, but he has some potential as a tall and mobile late bloomer.
According to EliteProspects, the scouting report on the 6’4, 212lber is as follows:
Big raw swedish winger with a powerful stride and a very good wheel.He is predicted to be a future powerwing. He is not an intimidator or even even initiatior but wont back down from greasy play with heavy contact.He is responsible in his own end.
Ottawa has three picks remaining in the 2020 draft.