9. Oskar Back, C [18] (3-75, 2018)
Stats (Farjestad BK J20, SuperElit): 38 gp, 10 g, 22 a, 32 p, .84 pts/g (3 pgp, 1 g, 1 a, 2 p, .67 pts/g)
Stats (Farjestad BK, SHL): 14 gp, 0 g, 0 a, 0 p
Oskar Back is a number of years away from making an NHL impact if ever does, which is why he’s fallen so far down this list, even though he was heralded as one of the better picks in this year’s draft and should be a steal at 75. He needs to work on a few things, chief among them shot production and defensive zone work.
If Back reaches the NHL, it will likely be as a playmaking third line center, one who can play well in the defensive zone.
If Back reaches the NHL, it will likely be as a playmaking third line center, one who can play well in the defensive zone. That’s why he needs to work on improving his game, and he’ll need to take more responsibility as a shooter. There are a number of centers ahead of Back in the Dallas Stars system, including another member of this list. The team should be looking to keep Tyler Seguin and Radek Faksa remains young. Back will have to compete and earn his way onto the Stars’ roster.
Back’s currently not got a great chance at being a member of the Dallas Stars. His path is a number of years long, and he appears to be a bottom-six center. But if he can put it all together, he’s still one of the better prospects on this list. Getting 14 games in the Swedish Hockey League at the age of 18 (which Back did) is a hard thing to accomplish.