With each passing week, any thoughts of the Kings postseason disappointment dissipates a little more, and the primary attention turns to next month’s NHL Draft. That said, part of what Los Angeles struggled with against Edmonton was closing out games and amping up the intensity appropriate for those stakes. As new GM Ken Holland and his staff prepare to pick 24th overall in the first round, some of these issues will likely remain part of the commentary as the team starts to shape its future identity.
We recently discussed various components of what goes into scouting a player, as well as how different qualities can be observed in a vacuum. Here at Mayor’s Manor, we love context, and so we’re taking a look at a player where individual skills are just part of the bigger picture.
We also most often tend to profile players that we expect LA to focus on when slimming down their final draft list. In this case, we’re going off the board a bit. Although we don’t think LA will look to take this player in the first round, he’s still worth taking a deeper dive on.
Milton Gästrin
Vitals
Date of Birth: June 2, 2007
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2024-25 Season
Gästrin spent most of the 2024-25 season playing for MoDo in Sweden’s U20 league. In 40 games, he has 42 points (18 G, 24 A).
’C’-nior Moments
Gästrin has been looked to as a leader on the international stage. He was captain for Team Sweden for the U18 WJC, U17, U16, and Hlinka Gretzky tournaments.
Big Names from a Small Town
The skilled forward calls Örnsköldsvik his home. That name likely doesn’t sound too familiar to you. However, you may recognize a few of the people who hail from there: Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Peter Forsberg, Markus Naslund, Victor Hedman
They Can’t All Be Gold
Through the years of playing competitive hockey, whether locally or internationally, Gästrin has had results not completely favorable. He never won a championship or gold, though he has won silver and bronze.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 26 by Tony Ferrari: “The translatability of Gastrin’s game will be what attracts NHL teams to him. He is a high-energy guy who is competitive on nearly every shift. He’s been at his best since returning from injury in early-mid January, showing a bit more offensive punch. Gastrin goes to the net and battles for loose pucks and rebounds, wins puck battles constantly and excels in the dirty areas, which is what NHL teams love from their complementary guys.”
Ranked No. 42 by Smaht Scouting. “Milton Gastrin is a player who will no doubt attract many NHL teams late in the first round this summer. Serving as captain for this Swedish age group, he always stands out at international events while centering Sweden’s top line. He even registered an eight-point game vs. Switzerland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer. Gastrin is a two-way, natural center with solid tools across the board and high a IQ. He has good size, solid enough skating, and a relentless compete level.”
Ranked No. 51 by Future Considerations. A report wrote: “Gastrin is a hard-working and very smart forward in all three zones. While his skating isn’t great, he is able to stick with plays. He works hard to get after opponents with the puck when it’s an appropriate time to do so, but he won’t chase plays if it means he will get pulled out of position.”
See For Yourself
Video of Gästrin playing against Västerås IK in the J20 Nationell:
Final Comments
Gästrin is a hard-working forward who doesn’t possess elite ability in any particular skill. Make no mistake, though, that isn’t a criticism. Sometimes too much praise is heaped on particular qualities, putting unfair expectations on a player. He has exceptional intelligence and work ethic, where he plays a 200-foot game. The player gets motivated and shows it, as he digs his skates into the ice and reaches top speed with few strides.
The physical engagement is there, yet he doesn’t throw his weight around indiscriminately. More notably, the willingness to take punishment in front of the net highlights part of his appeal. Even without being a part of the traffic, the Swedish forward utilizes it with fervor, throwing the puck on net and letting chaos reign.
As a two-way player, Gästrin has regularly been used in multiple situations, including on the penalty kill. Los Angeles loves ‘complete’ players, of which Gästrin fits the bill. His willingness to amp the intensity as the stakes go up fills a particular organizational void that can be fostered as he matures. In the end, LA’s scouts probably won’t have him at the top of their list for late in the first round, but he may still be intriguing if he falls unexpectedly.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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