RANKING: 7th EU Skater (Central Scouting) POSITION: D AMATEUR CLUB: Växjö Lakers HC J20 "A", J20 Nationell HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 182 SHOOTS: L COUNTRY: SWE
2023-24 STATS: 43 GP, 11 G, 31 A, 42 PTS, +20, 38
Leo Sahlin Wallenius (#2024NHLDraft) is among the smoothest skaters in the draft, and while I'm often left wanting him to push that advantage harder and attempt more plays, he can do pretty cool stuff from time to time. pic.twitter.com/iQmB4NFc1a
"Sahlin Wallenius isn't the biggest defenseman but he's a very solid two-way player, primarily because he's one of the best skaters in the draft. He has a powerful and efficient stride that allows him to easily evade pressure and skate pucks up ice. He closes on checks well and is great coming back on pucks in a way that should translate to pro hockey." - *Corey Pronman, The Athletic*
"At the core of his prowess lies a combination of vision, precision, and creativity that enables him to excel in distributing the puck effectively and facilitating offensive plays from the blue line. One of the most striking aspects of Sahlin Wallenius’ passing repertoire is his exceptional vision, which allows him to anticipate plays and identify open teammates with remarkable accuracy. Whether he's executing breakout passes to initiate offensive rushes or orchestrating plays from the point during power plays, Sahlin Wallenius’ ability to read the ice and make informed decisions stands out prominently." - *Steven Graves, McKeens Hockey*
"Sahlin Wallenius is an outstanding skater – maybe the best among defenders in the class. That helps make up for the fact that he’s just 5-foot-11, something that does get exploited at points. Still, he looked great at the Hlinka Gretzky, showing solid two-way ability and quick hands. There are some modern-day qualities that’ll make him an interesting option at the draft table." - *Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff*
