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Noah Ostlund Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #23

Noah Ostlund 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 Noah Ostlund Scouting Report. 

Djurgardens has become one of the best prospect development clubs in Europe. Centre Noah Ostlund is one of four prospects who could go in the first round. He spent the majority of his season in the J20 league. Ostlund put up nine goals and 33 assists for 42 points in 32 games. He also put up five goals and two assists for seven points in five playoff games. Ostlund led the league in playoff goals and Djurgardens fell in the J20 Final. He joined the J18 team for the playoffs as well. Ostlund picked up two goals and seven points in four games, helping the Djurgardens affiliate to the J18 Championship. Ostlund also had a call-up to the SHL, but had trouble getting consistent ice time. He played 11 games but did not record a point.

Ostlund also had a successful season with the national junior teams. An alternate captain on the Swedish Under-18 Team, he put up two assists in five games and won a bronze medal. He was named a top-three player on the team at the Under-18 World Championships. Ostlund scored four goals and 10 points in six games and helped lead Sweden to the gold medal.

Noah Ostlund Scouting Report

Center — shoots Left
Born March 11th, 2004 — Nykvarn, Sweden
Height 5’10 — Weight 164 lbs [178 cm / 73 kg]

Skating

An undersized forward, Ostlund makes up for it by being a dynamic skater. He has a great first step and excellent acceleration Ostlund is able to use his ability to change speeds to fool defenders. He can take them wide and blow by them. When they back off to respect his speed, Ostlund takes advantage by using the defender as a screen and firing the puck on the net. He also takes advantage of the passing lanes that open up. Ostlund also has excellent top-end speed that allows him to play a 200-foot game. Ostlund could stand to add some lower body strength to his frame though. This will help him to maintain his balance and power through checks, hooks, and holds. It will also help him to win battles on the boards and in front of the net.

Offensive Game

Ostlund is a dynamic playmaker. With his speed and stickhandling, he can attack opponents off the rush. He does a good job of creating openings in the neutral zone and his speed forces defenders to back off or get burned. This allows him to set up teammates. He is very creative with the puck in the offensive zone. He attacks open spaces and gets the puck to the front of the net. Ostlund can make a tape-to-tape pass on both the forehand and the backhand. He creates passing lanes with his quick hands and good lateral movement. Ostlund does a good job of maintaining possession and making the smart pass to a teammate in the cycle game. However, he does look to create offence, cutting to the net if an opening is there or making a creative pass if a teammate is open.

Ostlund has the skills to be a goal scorer but needs to use them more often. He has a good snapshot and a very good wrist shot. His shots are powerful and accurate. His quick hands also give him a deceptive release. However, Ostlund does not use his shot enough. He can also score in tight to the net. Ostlund’s quick hands and dangles can beat a goalie off the rush. His backhand elevates the puck quickly in tight to the net. He can also deke to his forehand and score. Ostlund’s lack of strength is an issue when he gets to the front of the net, but he does not back down from going to those dirty areas of the ice.

Defensive Game

Ostlund is a very responsible defensive player. He is often the third man high in the offensive end, helping him to get back defensively and provide back pressure against the opponents on the rush. He uses his vision and hockey IQ to anticipate what opponents will do and intercept passes and create turnovers. His quick stick is good at cutting down passing lanes and poke-checking opponents. Ostlund does have some issues though, mainly related to his size. He can struggle to contain bigger and more powerful opponents in the cycle game. Ostlund plays an aggressive game and is willing to engage physically but his lack of size and strength can be an issue. As he matures and adds muscle to his frame, this area of his game should improve. Ostlund is also good in the faceoff circle.

Projection and Comparison

Djurgardens was relegated from the SHL and will play in the second division, the Swedish Allsvenskan next year. This might be a blessing in disguise for Ostlund and many of his young teammates. They will be able to play more minutes for the team and continue to develop while also playing against men. Expect to see Ostlund back in Sweden and playing for his country at the World Juniors. He also will get the opportunity to round out his game, learn to shoot more, and get stronger. After a couple of years in Sweden, he should come to North America and look to play on smaller ice in the AHL or NHL. Ostlund’s game is reminiscent of Brayden Point. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on his skill and ability.

Highlights

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

 

 

Check back later for our latest 2022 NHL Draft Article.

 

Noah Ostlund 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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