Asplund, 25 (12/3/97), who is skating in his fourth NHL season, has eight points (2g-6a) in 27 games for the Sabres in 2022-23. He posted five of his points (1g-4a) in a five-game span from Oct. 20-Nov. 2, a stretch that included one of his two multi-point outings on the campaign. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound center has also dished out 10 hits and blocked eight shots this season in 11:20 of average ice time, with 1:08 of it coming on the penalty kill. In 2021-22, Asplund set career highs in games played (80), goals (8), assists (19) and points (27) while finishing in the top-20 of Selke Trophy voting, an award given to the NHL's top defensive forward.
Originally drafted by Buffalo in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Asplund owns 49 points (18g-31a) in 164 career games, all with the Sabres, since making his League debut in 2019-20. He's also suited up in 111 career AHL contests with Rochester - his last action in the league coming in 2020-21 - posting 62 points (13g-49a), including 41 (10g-31a) as a rookie in 2018-19. Before coming to play in North America, he spent four seasons with the SHL's Färjestad, also skating for the organization's U-20, U-18 and U-16 sides. Internationally, the FIlipstad, Sweden, native has represented his native country on several occasions, most recently in the 2022 World Championship. He has also appeared in two World Junior Championships - serving as an alternate captain in the 2017 tournament - and at the 2015 U-18 World Championship.
