A very smart and reliable forward who works hard to make an impact, Isac Lundestrom recently completed his second full season of Swedish Hockey League play, averaging just over 16 minutes per game with Lulea HF, scoring 15 points (6+9) in 42 appearances, which tied for eighth-most on his team, and tied for sixth among the league's junior-aged skaters.
Lundestrom, who is best described as a simple yet effective two-way performer that plays a north-to-south game, should be viewed as a safe pick for the middle of the first round. He mixes above-average skill, a heavy shot, and smooth skating ability that can see him plug scoring line minutes, but his ultimate value will come with steady effort and consistency that should see him get to the net front and be a regular 50-point contributor with potential to add special teams value.
Lundestrom's showing at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he scored twice in seven games while centering the Swedes' third line, was typical of his standard body of work. He showed impressive attention to defensive zone detail with a tight checking game, and quickly flipped the switch to offense when possession changed hands.
Think of an unselfish player that can assist in transition by peeling off his man, making himself available for an outlet, and from there, finding himself the space to make the right decision to advance the puck into the offensive zone. Once the puck gets deep, Lundestrom gets to work.
Perhaps the greatest testament to Lundestrom being a trustworthy player in the SHL this past season was the fact that he was used on the penalty kill and power play while also drawing assignments in the game's final minutes. His age did not matter. His situational awareness spoke for itself.
With one year remaining on his contract, Lundestrom could realistically double his point totals and arrive in 2019 with three full seasons of pro experience, setting the stage for a seamless integration into an American Hockey League lineup.
<< #20 Mattias Samuelsson | #18 Bode Wilde >>
Click Here For The Full List
For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
