Edmonton Oilers: Top 10 prospects entering 2018

9. Joel Persson, D [24] (UDFA)

Stats (Vaxjo Lakers HC, SHL): 51 gp, 6 g, 28 a, 34 p, 4 PPG, 1 GWG, .67 pts/g (13 pgp, 1 g, 4 a, 5 p, .39 pts/g).

Joel Persson was one of the best offensive defensemen in the SHL this past year, coming in tied for 15th across the league and second amongst defensemen in scoring. Persson was also second in assists, tied for second in goal scoring and points per game, and was tied for sixth in playoff scoring amongst SHL defensemen.

Joel Persson was one of the best offensive defensemen in the SHL this past year

For a country that continues to produce several of the best defensemen in the NHL, that’s an extremely impressive feat. Persson is also 24, just making the North American transition now. He’s excellent offensively, but can work on his skating and needs to improve in his own zone. He’s smaller (5’11”), but he’ll be fine in a smaller more skilled league.

Persson’s ceiling is likely as a bottom-pairing offensive presence who plays on the second-unit power play. Paired with a more defensive partner, Persson could be able to do some serious damage from a depth role. He’ll likely get paired with a more defensive partner in Bakersfield, likely one of the other defensemen on this list. If that pairing works well, that could catch the eye of the Edmonton Oilers.