How acquired: Selected with No. 58 pick in 2024 NHL Draft
2023-24 season: Djurgardens (Allsvenskan): 35 GP: 3-12-15; Djurgardens J20 (J20 Nationell): 25 GP, 5-16-21
Florida did not have a first- or second-round pick going into the 2024 NHL Draft but traded up to acquire the No. 58 pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs and selected Eriksson, who was ranked 10th among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 18-year-old did not look out of place playing in the second-best league in Sweden (Allsvenskan) after excelling for Djurgardens’ under-20 team.
The Panthers were impressed by his hockey sense and leadership. Eriksson (6-0, 183) had seven points (one goal, six assists) in seven games while serving as captain for Sweden when it won the bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
“When we took him, immediately people outside the organization who knew him well who saw him play a lot, you start getting the texts, ‘That’s a hockey player. That’s a complete hockey player,’” Zito said. “So, when you get that type of feedback from your peers and people around and people you respect, that’s exciting.”
Eriksson will play for Djurgardens again this season before potentially heading to North America.
Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27