Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2015 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! For a Complete Listing of all our 2016 Draft Articles Click here.
A late 1997 birthday, Jonathan Dahlen spent the majority of this season playing for Timra IK in the Swedish Allsvenskan, showing off his ability against men. Now while the Allsvenskan is the second best hockey league in Sweden, it shouldn’t be thought of as the AHL of Sweden. Rather than being the farm club or affiliate of an SHL club, like we see in the North American system, it is more like the promotion/relegation system seen in European football (soccer) clubs. Dahlen had a strong season for Timra, putting up 15 goals and 29 points in 15 games. He added six goals and seven points in five playoff games. Despite Dahlen’s heroics, Timra was not able to win promotion to the SHL, and so will remain in the Allsvenskan next year. Over the years Dahlen has represented his country, playing in the 2014 Ivan Hlinka tournament, the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championships, and in various other tournaments for the Tre Kronor. Yet another 2016 NHL Draft eligible prospect who comes from NHL bloodlines, Jonathan Dahlen is the son of Ulf Dahlen who played for the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks in his 966 game NHL career.
Jonathan Dahlen Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #45
Left Wing/Centre — shoots Left
Born Dec 20 1997 — Östersund, Sweden
Height 5’11” — Weight 176 lbs [180 cm / 80 kg]
Jonathan Dahlen is an impressive offensive talent. He may be a bit undersized, but he has all the skills scouts look for when it comes to an offensive forward. He has an excellent array of shots, including a good wrist shot with a quick release; a hard slapshot; and a quality backhand. He has the soft hands to make moves on defenders and get himself the open space to get a shot off, as well as the hockey sense and the elusiveness to find open spots in the defence where a teammate can hit him with a pass. Dahlen can also play the role of playmaker, with excellent vision and hockey sense, and the talent to slide the puck through small openings, or flip a saucer pass to a teammate. He can stand to be more physical, and play a bit less of a perimeter game going forward though and get to the more dirty areas of the ice.
Dahlen is not the fastest skater, but his speed isn’t bad either. It is currently about average looking at this draft class, but could be improved with a more fluid stride. Its a bit awkward and choppy. Dahlen could stand to work with a good skating coach and improve his technique to get faster. He does have some outstanding agility and edgework though. Even without the speed, Dahlen is able to beat defenders one-0n-one with his good stickhandling skills, and his ability to quickly change directions, or change speeds, beating opponents one-on-one. He could stand to work on his balance and not be pushed around as much in battles along the boards. This may come just from increased muscle mass though.
Jonathan Dahlen’s defensive game is a bit of a work in progress. He has a tendency to fly the zone early as he looks to drive offence through the transition game. He also can get caught out of position when he starts to puck watch and stops moving his feet. A good coach will need to work with Dahlen before he is ready to get to the NHL level.
Dahlen has the skills to be a top six forward, but has a few areas of his game to work on. He is a real boom or bust type as it is unlikely he can succeed in a grinding role in the NHL. Jonathan Dahlen’s game is reminiscent of Mike Cammalleri of the New Jersey Devils, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not a talent based one.
The following is a compilation of Jonathan Dahlen highlights, taken from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #46 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
Main Photo:
