Prospect update: How are the baby Rangers doing?

Swedish Hockey League continues to play

Of all the leagues overseas, the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) has been dealing with numerous COVID-19 issues, but has tried to keep the schedule going.  Despite numerous postponements, most SHL teams have been able to play most of their schedules.

Karl Henriksson (C) –  2019 2nd round – #58

In a blow to the Rangers and Team Sweden, Karl Henriksson was left off the Swedish WJC team due to testing positive for the coronavirus.  After a mandatory quarantine, he has returned to Frölunda and this week, he played in his first game since December 5.

In 21 games this season, Henriksson has no goals and four assists, while averaging 13:48 minutes of ice time. He is a minus six on the season with 25 shots on goal.  Still only 19,  the WJC was going to be a showcase for him as center of the top Swedish line.

Frölunda has dropped two games in a row and they are in second place in the SHL with 44 points.

Adam Edström (C) – 2019 6th round –  #161

Adam Edström  and Rögle had five November games postponed due to the coronavirus, but they have played seven games already this month.  In the last four games, the 20 year old Edström  has two assists.   In 18 games this season, he has scored one goal and is averaging 11:27 minutes of ice times.  His plus/minus rating is a solid +5 and he is third on the team with 27 hits.

Rögle is having an outstanding season, in first place in the SHL with a 15 wins, four losses and two losses in overtime. They have opened up a four point lead on Frölunda and have three games in hand.

Nils Lundkvist (D)  – 2018 1st round – # 28

Nils Lundkvist has been playing regularly for Luleå  where he has scored five goals and added seven assists in 21 games.   He is averaging 20:26 minutes of ice time per game and has 63 shots on goal.

Lundkvist is still only 20 years old and he is expected to finish the SHL season at which point the Rangers will try to get him under contract.   Luleå  is in fifth place,nine points behind league leading Rögle.

This young defenseman turned 21 in September and it appears he is not on the Rangers’ radar.  He is playing regularly as a stay at home defenseman for Leksand.

In 23 games, he is averaging 15:47 minutes per game, with one goal and two assists.  His plus/minus is +1 and he has 15 hits and 15 blocked shots.

Leksand is improving and have lost only two games in regulation in their last 11 games.  They are in ninth place in the SHL with 34 points, but are only five points out of fifth place.

2020 draftee Oliver Tärnström’s junior season was put on hold so he is splitting his time between Hanvikens of the Hockeyettan League  and AIK in the Allsvenskan League.  Since the junior season pause, he has played one game for each team and has yet to get on the scoreboard.  The important thing is that he is playing.

Jakob Ragnarsson has been playing for Allsvenskan leading  Timrå.  In 19 games, the defenseman has no goals and two assists and  is playing 10:28 per game. He is an outstanding +7 on the season.  Ragnarsson just turned 21 and there is no indication that the Rangers will be bringing him to North America anytime soon.

Goalie Olof Lindbom has played 13 games for Mora in the Allsvenskan league with a 6-4-1 record, a 3.36 goals against average and a .886 save percentage.  Not overwhelming numbers for a player taken in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft.