Josh Frojelin
Filip Bystedt earned his first NHL practice, even if he’s not here to stay.
The 2022 San Jose Sharks’ first-round pick has taken a leap this season, and appears to be on the verge of his NHL debut. Just not next week, when the Sharks return to play.
So what has the 6-foot-3 center improved? Which Sharks center does he model his game after? Bystedt shared his thoughts.
Also, four league sources, three NHL scouts and a league executive, shared their candid opinions about Bystedt and his ceiling with San Jose Hockey Now.
Bystedt was recalled on Wednesday, but head coach Ryan Warsofsky said when the team is back at full strength, the lanky center, who appears bulkier, will not likely remain with the team. Bystedt, recovering from a head injury, and Nick Leddy were primarily recalled to improve the numbers at San Jose Sharks’ practice, with so many players at the Olympics.
Bystedt suffered an injury on Feb. 6 that forced him to miss the 2026 AHL All-Star Game.
In his rookie AHL campaign, his first full season in North America, Bystedt put up 12 goals and 31 points in 50 games in 2024-25. In 40 games this season, Bystedt has already eclipsed those totals with 13 goals and 36 points.
“He’s taken a nice step, for sure,” Warsofsky said.
Scout #1 agreed: “Progressing well. Solid two-way player with size and skill. Impact has been more consistent this year.”
“Playing better as of late in our reports. Responsible,” an NHL executive said.
“Positive trajectory,” Scout #2 said.
What does Bystedt need to do to break through to the best league in the world?
“Transporting the puck, playing with pace,” Warsofsky said. “[Those] will be his big things: If he can play with pace? Can he get pucks and go, instead of getting it, assessing it? The game is too quick to do that.”
Bystedt, similarly, said his goal is to play simpler.
“[Try to] not think as much of…[what] I’m doing,” Bystedt said. “[Be] confident and just leave everything I [can’t] control to everyone else. Trying to do the defensive game first. Win faceoffs. Get to start with the puck, which leads to success.”
When he does have the puck, the San Jose Sharks want Bystedt to use his size consistently.
“The guys down there have worked with him a lot on that, transporting the puck to the middle of the ice,” Warsofsky said. “He’s a big, tall center. He’s got good puck skills, so playing more direct of a game has really helped him. It takes guys time to figure it out.”
“Can get a bit perimeter,” the exec acknowledged.
What will also help Bystedt get to the NHL is emulating a Sharks center, and not necessarily superstar Macklin Celebrini.
“Any young center should watch Wennberg,” Warsofsky shared. “The way he plays a 200-foot game, with and without the puck. It’s only good things you’re going to find.”
To Bystedt’s credit, he’s watching Alex Wennberg as much as he can, even without prompting from the Sharks.
Bystedt admires Wennberg’s defensive virtues, too, but that’s not the one thing that he’d take from his fellow Swede.
“The way he carries the puck,” Bystedt explained. “And then [is] strong on it. It seems really hard to take the puck from him when he protects it and turns in the corners.”
These four NHL sources, the three scouts and one league exec, agreed that Bystedt’s ceiling is still a third-line center.
“I like him,” Scout #3 said. “Big, skilled, plays in all situations. Very good prospect.”