New Jersey Devils: Top 10 Prospects Entering the 2018 Season

10. Fabian Zetterlund, RW [19] (3-63, 2017)

Stats (Farjestad BK, SHL): 35 gp, 3 g, 4 a, 7 p (6 pgp, 1 g, 1 a, 2 p); 8 gp, 2 g, 3 a, 5 p. Timra IK, Allsvenskan; 5 gp, 5 g, 1 a, 6 p (1 pgp, 0 g, 1 a, 1 p). Farjestad BK J20, SuperElit

Fabian Zetterlund is a good goal scorer who had a difficult time transitioning to the professional leagues, but he did so at 19. He’s still young and has time to perfect the shot that got him drafted in the third round. He’s good at possession, understanding how to best protect the puck, and keeps it on his stick. Zetterlund was better than a point per game in the SuperElit and was at a goal-per-game pace.

He’s still young and has time to perfect the shot that got him drafted in the third round

As a third-round pick, Zetterlund’s path to the NHL was always going to be a long one. He’ll need another year to settle into a role in Sweden, before making the trip across the ocean to the AHL. Zetterlund should continue to develop as a goal scorer, and he’s making progress as a playmaker as well. Being in Sweden should lead to a better defensive game, all of which he could bring along to the AHL.

He spent 35 games in the SHL and will likely spend more there this season. If he does better than seven points, that’s a very good sign. But he’s still a long ways off from the NHL, doesn’t have the highest likelihood of playing with the New Jersey Devils, and his ceiling has yet to be determined.