In preparation for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, most of our focus has been on domestic players. However, there’s a vast pool of prospects all over the world who are plying their trade with hopes of NHL stardom. We’re going to go overseas next for a look at another candidate mentioned in our recently published LA Kings Draft Predictions article.
Eric Nilson
Vitals
Date of Birth: May 11, 2007
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 165 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Forward
2024-25 Season
Nilson spent most of the 2024-25 season playing for the J20 Nationell’s Djurgårdens under-20 program. In 37 games, he had 38 points (12 G, 26 A).
Swedeheart
Despite being born in Calgary, Alberta, Nilson has spent the past several years playing in Sweden. Last season alone, he played for Djurgårdens in four different leagues. This doesn’t include wearing Tre Kronor for the Hlinka Gretzky, World Junior A Challenge, and U-18 World Junior Championship tournaments.
NCAA Bound
Much like our previously mentioned featured prospect Ryker Lee, Nilson is also committed to playing for Michigan State in the NCAA. He’s coming back to North America next year.
With Great Travel
Playing in all of the aforementioned championships can either lead to a lot of hardware or disappointment. In Nilson’s case, there was a lot of success. He won championships at the U18 and U20 level for Djurgårdens, silver at the World Junior A challenge and U-18 WJC, and bronze at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament.
Draft Combine Results
Nilson attended the NHL Combine, and these are the categories in which he was ranked in the top-25:
VO2 Max: 63.7 ml/kg/min (3rd)
Mean Power Output: 11.8 watts/kg (tied for 7th)
Fatigue Index: 34.1 (1st)
Pull-Ups Consecutive: 15 (tied for 2nd)
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 44 by Hockey Prospect: “Nilson is the son of former NHLer Marcus Nilson. He’s a smart two-way center with good skating skills, he has good skills and good hockey sense that could lead him being a good 3rd or 4th line depth center or winger in the NHL. His skill level is a bit underrated and maybe he could surprise in a middle 6 role at some point in his career if things goes right with his development. With his speed and intelligence he could be a good penalty killer in the NHL. He’s undersized right now and he’ll need to get stronger physically to play in the trenches against big NHL players. Offensively he’ll create things with his speed, compete level and vision.”
Ranked No. 23 by McKeen’s. “He’s a natural center whose game is built upon his exceptional hockey sense and his drive. He wants to win and hates to lose. He’ll work his tail off to get the puck and get it moving the other way. Nilson’s ability to read and anticipate play has been the backbone of his exceptional two-way game since before his draft year. He’s hyper-vigilant on the forecheck. He can read the intentions of puck carriers and strip them of the puck, even at their own blue line, and swiftly counter-attack.
The biggest improvement from last year to now is the application of that drive and quick-thinking
to his on-puck game. His ability to read defenders and quickly get around them through quick skating or deceptive fakes and handles has totally elevated his playmaking ability from good to great. He leans more set-up man than finisher, but Nilson has a deceptively lethal shot. While the goal totals aren’t high, he consistently finds excellent looks. Those shots will fall eventually, and he’ll be able to rip the puck harder once he matures physically.”
Ranked No. 65 by Future Considerations. “Nilson is a highly skilled, cerebral forward who offers a dynamic and adaptable presence with his ability to play both center and wing. He brings a well-rounded offensive toolkit rooted in his puck possession ability, creativity, and strong hockey IQ. His skating stands out most for its smoothness, driven by a long, fluid stride that helps him build impressive straight-line speed and carry pace through transitions. While not a particularly explosive skater, his ability to navigate with control and balance through tight areas makes him effective on the rush and in evasive situations. Nilson’s puckhandling is a consistent weapon, enabling him to create space with clever dekes and edge work, especially in one-on-one matchups or while breaking down defensive coverage in the offensive zone. His playmaking instincts are mature, highlighted by sharp vision and anticipation that allow him to spot and deliver difficult passes, even under pressure. On the power play, he frequently finds soft areas in the high slot to serve as a release valve or distributor, creating chances with subtle timing and awareness. Offensively, he combines this passing acumen with a quick shot release and respectable accuracy, although the lack of power limits his scoring threat when space and time are reduced.”
See For Yourself
Video of Nilson vs. Rögle in the J20 Nationell:
Final Comments
Nilson plays a responsible two-way game, almost to a fault. The defensive forward is very quick to fall back to the blueline when one of his defensemen pinches in the attack. In many ways, coaches love someone who instinctively supports teammates whenever needed. However, it can come at the cost of points when he effectively removes himself from the play.
While playing defensively, Nilson’s overall size comes into question. There’s plenty of opportunity to improve his strength long-term, but in the meantime, his smaller frame minimizes the effectiveness of physical play. What helps him a lot is his keen intelligence. Knowing where he should go mitigates his average skating, and so at worst, he can develop into a bottom-six center.
When engaged in offensive play, his strongest trait is shooting. He has a healthy arsenal of wrist and slap shots that can be utilized at various angles. Nilson isn’t an elite playmaker, but has a strong sense and spatial awareness of his teammates where he can find teammates to feed.
Next season will be crucial for the dual-citizen of Sweden and Canada. College hockey is a fantastic opportunity to improve physical strength, which is one of the biggest roadblocks on his path to an NHL career. However, patience is needed – Nilson likely won’t be playing top minutes to start. If LA wanted a longer-term solution for a shutdown center, though, he would be a great option for the upcoming Draft.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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