Filip Ahl THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 6/12/1997

Place of birth: Jonkoping, Sweden

Ht: 6’4″     Wt: 214 lbs

Shoots: Left

Position: LW/RW

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2015

Twitter: @ffilipahl

THW The Next Ones Rankings (February): not ranked

Filip Ahl plays a similar style to Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets [photo: Amy Irvin]

Other Rankings:

THW War Room Rankings (March): 46

Future Considerations: not ranked

HockeyProspect.com (February): not ranked

Last Word On Sports (February): not ranked

Craig Button (March): not ranked

CS Final Rankings for European skaters (April): 9

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Filip Ahl is only 17 years old and hasn’t looked out of place in the least. Standing 6’4″, Ahl already has the size and skill to play against players 10-15 years his senior. Exceptional stickhandling allows the young Swede to create time to get around defenders, oftentimes dishing the puck off to an open teammate for a goal. He takes risks with his passing, but he typically gets the puck to where it needs to be.

Bullish on his skates, Ahl is strong, sturdy, and displays great balance, but could use some extra speed and acceleration overall. He scores as well as he sets up plays and possesses a devastating release when he finds an open lane.

He clearly has the size, but the issue is he doesn’t always seem to use it. Granted, he’s still filling out and learning from experienced players, so it should come in due time. He does find ways to win puck battles in the corners of the ice. The aspect of his game I find most valuable is how he can be inserted anywhere in the lineup to contribute, whether it’s in a scoring role or a checking line role. Either way, he has the NHL potential to last in the league for quite some time.

Where Will He End Up In June:

Ahl will either be taken in the 2nd or 3rd round. I don’t think he falls further than that.

Scout’s Honor:

“A big, hulking winger…skates well especially for his size…possesses a long powerful stride with good balance…not the fastest player, but he uses his strength and fluid movements to carry the puck…has a wide wing span and long reach which aids his puck protection and defensive coverage…has solid vision and makes strong passes…goes to the dirty areas continuously and is dangerous around the oppositions net…plays a physical game…fights for space and pucks, owning the boards…uses his body to make space…can lay some strong checks…not overly creative but effective in the straight forward role he plays. (December 2014)”

Future Considerations

“Big and skilled forward who is good on his skates. His biggest asset is that he’s hard to knock off the puck. He shields the puck very well and uses his frame physically to hold off opposing players. Even if he doesn’t become a big scorer, I wouldn’t be surprised if he could fill a role as a checking forward on a third or fourth line.”

Uffe Bodin – hockeysverige.se

“Hulking pro-sized wing with an explosive shot that jumps off his blade. Just starting to develop a strong stride and with it much better acceleration. Regardless he is very strong on his skates and a soft passer and playmaker. Still needs to keep his feet moving at both ends, is good on the cycle and stick handles out nicely to get loose and let that big shot go. He beats defenseman with surprising East-West agility. You do want to see a bit more intensity more urgency away from the puck in his end, and use of that big body on the wall with more edginess, but there’s lots to like as he develops his all-around game. “

Bill Placzek – DraftSite.com

Statistics:

Bio(s)/Interview(s)/Link(s):

Feature on Future Considerations

International Tournaments:

Filip Ahl has played for Sweden on six different occasions. He’s won a bronze medal and a gold medal.

ETA:

2-3 years

Risk/Reward Analysis:

Risk: 1/5   Reward: 3/5

NHL Potential:

Big-bodied winger who can be utilized in almost any role.

Strengths:

Strength

Soft hands

Size

Balance

Quick release

Puck protection

Creative passer

Versatile throughout the lineup

Wins puck battles in the corners

Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

Acceleration/speed

Filling out his frame

Fantasy Hockey Potential:

Offensive: 6/10    Defensive: 4/10

NHL Player Comparison:

– NHL comparison: Blake Wheeler

Video(s):

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THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph