Sweden Stock Watch: Jamiro Reber making case as overage prospect for 2025 NHL Draft
Hockey careers rarely follow pre-written scripts. In this month’s Stock Watch article, we focus on a mix of players who have unexpectedly risen to showcase their talent at the highest level in Sweden, excelling early on.
Stock Rising 📈
Jamiro Reber, C, HV71 (Undrafted)
Jamiro Reber went undrafted this summer but is already regularly playing as a second-line centre in the SHL. He was given an opportunity when Seattle Kraken prospect Oscar Fisker Mølgaard was injured. Reber has smoothly translated his junior game to the professional level. He plays at a high pace, is driven to the inside, and is a solid playmaker. Quick to pucks across the ice, he plays with intensity and purpose. Trusted in various situations, he has performed well enough to keep his spot even as the team regains health. Reber has been regularly producing points in the SHL with strong underlying offensive numbers. Although small in size, he plays a strong middle-six centre type of game. Born September 4, 2006, he is practically the same age as players like Victor Eklund and Viggo Nordlund, who are first-time draft-eligible this season. We liked Reber for the 2024 draft, and he has clearly raised his stock for the 2025 draft. It will be interesting to see how soon he appears on various rankings.
Victor Söderström, D, Brynäs IF (Utah HC)
Victor Söderström, a former 11th overall pick, spent the last four years trying to earn a regular spot in Arizona. He openly hoped for a trade to start fresh with a new NHL team this summer, and when that didn’t happen, he returned home to play for Brynäs to restart his career. Judging by his SHL performance, it’s puzzling he isn’t playing in the NHL. Widely regarded as the league's top defenseman in the first month and a half, Söderström excels in all areas of the game. His strengths suit the larger ice surface, as he’s mobile in all directions and processes the game quickly. His proactive movements and high game pace add to his dominance, benefiting Brynäs greatly. His retrievals are smooth, and he defends effectively. He’s a skilled passer, but his overall offensive skills aren’t elite, likely capping him as a 6-foot puck-moving fourth defenseman in the NHL. At 23, he looks ready to try the NHL again next season.
Marcus Gidlöf, G, Leksands IF (NY Islanders)
Sometimes opportunities come sooner than expected. Marcus Gidlöf was set for a full season with Leksands’ junior team until the senior team’s top goalie suffered a long-term injury. Instead of seeking a replacement in a thin free-agent market, Leksands promoted Gidlöf, who had started the junior season impressively. He’s now played four SHL games, winning three and posting solid numbers. He’s big in the net but appears more composed than last season. During his draft year, we worried about his lateral movements, which left him reaching too often. He’s since tightened up and moves laterally with greater control, aided by strong puck tracking. He occasionally loses his posture and gets too low when the game pace increases, but his improvement positions him as a favourite for the WJC starting job.
Filip Hållander, LW, Timrå IK (Pittsburgh Penguins)
The 24-year-old Filip Hållander returned to Sweden last year, declining Pittsburgh’s re-signing interest and signing a five-year deal with his hometown club after playing only three NHL games on his entry-level contract. At that point, it looked like his NHL career might be over. However, from mid-last season to the start of this one, Hållander has arguably been the best forward in the SHL. His new head coach, NHL legend Olli Jokinen, noted that Hållander appears to be playing in the wrong league (suggesting he belongs in the NHL). Hållander’s contract allows him to leave for the NHL after this season, which remains his goal. Known for his strong awareness and relentless drive, he’s a machine at forcing turnovers and generating offence. His skating power and inside-drive make him a constant threat. Although his puck skills and shot aren’t elite, his strong underlying stats rank him among the top five SHL forwards. In the NHL, he would fit well as a middle-six winger based on his current performance.
Viggo Gustafsson, D, Timrå IK/HV71 (Nashville Predators)
Loaned to Timrå in the SHL to cover injuries, Viggo Gustafsson has taken full advantage of his first taste of senior hockey. The third-round pick, who only turned 18 in September, has made a strong impression in his initial five games. Viggo has developed his game, becoming more offensively active than last season when he projected as a bottom-pair, defence-first player. Now, his offensive engagements make him resemble a Philip Broberg type. He’s still prone to mistakes, but his learning curve has been positive. His puck-moving skills have improved, with better control and passing, and he’s more proactive in joining attacks. He competes effectively in his own zone, too. At his best, he appears capable of transitioning to North America around age 20 or 21, with AHL development setting him up as a full-time NHLer—a strong outcome for a third-round selection.
Stock Falling 📉
Damian Clara, G, Färjestads BK (Anaheim Ducks)
Long-term, I’m not overly concerned about Damian Clara, but his season start has been challenging. The 19-year-old had a strong draft-plus-one season in Hockeyallsvenskan, backstopping a championship-winning team. Now with Färjestad, a top SHL club, he has struggled, conceding goals and losing more games than he’s won, which is concerning for a team with title aspirations. His poor numbers over the first ten games have led some to call for a new goalie if Färjestad wants a shot at the championship. His struggles seem tied to a lack of confidence; he often over-commits, making uncharacteristic errors in his composure. Although he’s typically well-positioned, pucks keep slipping through. Hopefully, he can turn things around and gain valuable experience. It might, however, be beneficial for his development to play in a less pressure-filled setting like the AHL next season.
