Chicago Blackhawks: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

8. Niklas Nordgren, RW [18 years old]

Stats:

HIFK (Liiga) – 15 gp, 0 g, 3 a, 3 p.

HIFK U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga) – 28 gp, 13 g, 29 a, 42 p. (10 pgp, 6 g, 4 a, 10 p).

HIFK U18 (Jr. B SM-sarja) – 5 pgp, 6g, 7a, 13p.

Niklas Nordgren was a third-round pick, mainly because of his size. He’s just 5’9″, playing in a European league without a lot of scouting access, and didn’t do as well in the top league where he got games.

To be fair, a lot of excellent players in their first year do better in the Swedish and Finnish junior league than the top professional one. Everything Nordgren did this season, outside of the games in the Finnish Liiga, was impressive.

Nordgren has an excellent ability to finish plays, getting to the high-danger areas to score, despite his size.

In the Jr. A SM-liiga, Nordgren was 19th in scoring, tied for 60th in goals and ninth in assists, and was second in points per game. He was first among players with more than 10 games played.

Nordgren has an excellent ability to finish plays, getting to the high-danger areas to score, despite his size. He is also an excellent playmaker, which showed through this season.

Nordgren, who turned 18 in May, also helped Finland win the U18 World Junior Championships, was a top three player on that team and was an All-Star in that tournament. He was assigned to the Jr. B SM-sarja just for the playoffs, helping that team win the championship. He also helped his main team win bronze in the Jr. A SM-liiga.