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Calle Odelius Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #35

Calle Odelius Scouting Report

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 2022 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 Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Calle Odelius Scouting Report. 

Djurgardens IF has become the premier prospect development team in all of Europe and this year is no different. In defenceman Calle Odelius, they have produced another gem. Odelius bounced around a number of teams/leagues this season, both in the Djurgardens system and with the Swedish National Teams. He was successful at nearly every level. He spent most of his season in the J20 league. Odelius put up seven goals and 30 points in 43 games. He also added two assists in six playoff games as Djurgardens made the league final. He also played in four playoff games at the Under-18 level. Odelius picked up a goal and three points and helped the team win the championship. Over the season, his play earned him an SHL call-up where he appeared in seven games.

For the Swedish Under-18 team, he played at the Hlinka-Gretzky and picked up one assist in five games. Odelius was a top defender for the team and helped them to a bronze medal. He also played for the Swedish Team at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He picked up three assists in six tournament games and contributed to Sweden’s gold medal win.

Calle Odelius Scouting Report

Left Defence — shoots Left
Born May 30th, 2004 — Södertälje, Sweden
Height 6’0″ — Weight 185 lbs [183 cm/84 kg]

Skating

Odelius is an outstanding skater. His edgework and lateral agility are amongst the best in the entire draft class. His ability to make crisp changes in direction, gain speed and power through his turns, and pivot quickly allow him to cover all areas of the ice. Odelius can quickly transition from defence to offence and vice-versa. His lateral agility allows him to walk the line in the offensive zone as well as to maintain good gap control in the defensive end. Added to this is very good speed and acceleration. Odelius reaches top speed in just a few strides allowing him to win races to loose pucks as well as to create space from forecheckers or defenders once he gets a step on them.

He could work on his lower body strength though. Odelius can sometimes struggle in battles in the corners and in front of the net. This may come as he continues to mature as a prospect.

Offensive Game

Odelius is a modern-style defender who can move the puck and push the offensive pace. He is a good stick handler and combines that with his skating to be a real offensive threat. Odelius avoids forecheckers and skates the puck out of the defensive zone. He is also effective in leading the rush through the neutral zone. His ability to find open space allows him to gain the zone efficiently. Odelius uses his lateral agility to walk the line in the offensive zone and open up passing and shooting lanes. His puck control and poise buy time and give teammates the time to get open. He can also make a good first pass to start the transition game. If a forward gets behind the defence, he can hit them with a long breakaway pass.

Odelius can quarterback the power play from the blue line. He shows good hockey IQ as well as excellent vision. With his quick hands and good lateral movement, he can open up passing lanes. Odelius can make tape-to-tape passes to set up teammates for good scoring chances. His shot is decent but could use a bit more power. He does a very good job of getting it through traffic and on the net. By keeping his shot low, Odelius also gives his teammates the opportunity to get in front of the net for screens, tip-ins and rebounds. He is most effective with his wrist shot. It has decent power as well as a quick release. Odelius likes to sneak in from the point and let his shot go from the top of the circles.

Defensive Game

Odelius defensive game is a bit hit and miss. He is very good at defending against the rush. He maintains good gap control and forces attackers to the outside. His strong skating helps him to keep himself between his man and the front of the net. He also does a good job with his positioning. Odelius cuts down both passing and shooting lanes by keeping his stick and body in good positions. However, Odelius can have some issues with bigger and stronger opponents. His lack of physical strength can be a problem as he struggles to win battles on the boards. He also has trouble containing stronger forwards in the cycle game. Clearing the front of the net can be an issue as well. This is something that may improve as he matures and gets stronger.

Projection and Comparison

With his skating and stickhandling ability, Odelius fits the prototype of the modern puck-moving NHL defenceman. He is able to push the pace and create offence. He will need to get stronger and improve his ability in his own zone to reach his true potential. If he can improve those aspects of his game, he can be a top-four defenceman in the NHL. Added strength will help both his defensive game and his shot. Odelius’ game is reminiscent of Kris Letang.  However this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Calle Odelius that are available on youtube and Twitter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK62r39f6SE&list=PLOgBIUfkk2BMtE-RR_MH5PxMF-Grwi0sn

 

Check back later for our next article on the 2022 NHL Draft.

 

Calle Odelius Scouting Report Main Photo:

Ben Kerr

Ben Kerr

Ben is a credentialed sports writer from just outside Toronto, Canada. A lawyer, he has a highly analytical approach to writing. Ben is the COO of Last Word On Sports INC. Most of his writing can be found in the hockey department, though he follows and writes on other sports as well.

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