Sheng Peng
Happy belated birthday, Filip Bystedt!
The San Jose Sharks’ 2022 first-round pick celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday.
It’s been a good year for the 6-foot-4 centerman: Last July, he was something of a surprise first-round pick by the Sharks at No. 27. This season, he’s graduated to a regular role with SHL side Linköping HC. And last month, he opened eyes around the sport with a team-leading 10 points in seven games for Sweden at the World Junior Championships.
Bystedt’s stock is rising fast, but how fast? Two NHL scouts from outside the San Jose Sharks organization told San Jose Hockey Now.
“Thought he was their best forward,” Scout #1 said about Bystedt’s performance for Sweden. “Long-term project, but he’s already showing that upside. Has 2C upside. Showed his speed and offensive upside for a center of that size.”
Scout #2 echoed the point: “He was very impressive [for Sweden]! Outplaying his Draft slot. Stock is up. Prototypical NHL size and skating, showed a skilled offensive game too. Can really shoot it. Top-six with power play upside.”
So how far has Bystedt outplayed the No. 27 spot in last year’s Draft? Well, it’s certainly a debate now whether or not Bystedt should’ve been the first Swede off the board. Bystedt played ahead Jonathan Lekkerimaki (No. 15), Noah Ostlund (No. 16), and Liam Ohgren (No. 19) on Sweden at the WJCs.
“Bystedt has jumped most, if not all those forwards I’d say,” Scout #1 opined.
Last July, when the San Jose Sharks traded their No. 11 pick to the Arizona Coyotes for picks No. 27, 34, and 45 in the 2022 Draft, there was understandable consternation among the fans.
The Coyotes would use the 11th pick on Connor Geekie. Both Geekie and Bystedt happen to be 6-foot-4, but the rawer Bystedt is considered more fleet of foot.
“He’s better than Connor Geekie,” Scout #1 declared. “From this past Draft, Bystedt and [Jiri] Kulich have probably showed the most upside compared to where they were drafted, in terms of forwards.”
Right now, it looks like GM Mike Grier and the San Jose Sharks made the right call to move back for Bystedt. Strong and fast, Bystedt appears to fit the identity of new GM Grier’s Sharks.
In the San Jose Sharks’ prospects pool, I think William Eklund is still the undisputed kingpin. But No. 2? Between Bystedt and Thomas Bordeleau, it looks like there’s a debate.