3. Kevin Stenlund, C [21 years old]
Stats (Cleveland Monsters, AHL): 43 gp, 7 g, 15 a, 22 p, 1 PPG, 2 GWG (2 pgp, 0 g, 1 a, 1 p). HV71, SHL; 7 gp, 0 g, 2 a, 2 p, 6 SOG, .29 pts/g.
Kevin Stenlund was 81st in the SHL in points per game and tied for 78th in scoring. Those aren’t particularly appealing numbers, but in the best league in Sweden, against some of the best competition in the world (at an average age of 25), putting up those numbers at 21 is great. Stenlund is an exciting prospect, and his chances of being an NHL player improve every season.
Stenlund had two of his seven goals as game-winners, which shows an ability to come in clutch. He also was a significant playmaker with HV71, which shows an ability to play with, and make better, great players. That’s why putting him in the AHL on one of the top two lines with other excellent prospects for the Columbus Blue Jackets could be a smart idea this season. Allow Stenlund time to transition and to play with other players who are good enough and hoping to make the Blue Jackets in the future.
He’s already near his ceiling and is getting much closer to being NHL ready. He’s a middle-six scorer, someone who can be relied on to provide scoring from a depth role. He’ll get more assists than goals if he makes the NHL, but most players do. Already having seven games with the Cleveland Monsters, if he can make a good statement this season, he’ll be a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets eventually as well.