Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck are expected to be selected early in this weekend's NHL Draft. Veteran Detroit Red Wings scout Håkan Andersson highlighted their rare achievement of earning spots on Sweden's senior national team at a young age.
Both players have been identified as top talents ahead of the 2026 draft. Andersson noted their ability to perform against men at the international level as the strongest indicator of their skills.
"They are really skilled. The best grade is that they manage so well against men, even at the national team level," Andersson told Expressen. "It is incredibly unusual. It is incredibly rare, so it says a lot, I think."
Andersson declined to predict exact draft positions. He pointed out that teams like Chicago already have strong young centers, which could influence selections.
Stenberg and Björck are still projected to be among the first Swedes chosen when the draft takes place this weekend.
