Scouting Report on Oliwer Sjostrom | 2025 NHL Draft
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, TSLH Prospects will be sharing scouting reports, rankings, and profiles of prospects eligible to the 2025 NHL Draft. Continuing our work of the past five years, our analysts will provide insights on numerous prospects to give you a comprehensive overview of the draft class and their progress. Today, the spotlight is on Oliwer Sjostrom, a defenseman playing in Sweden.
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2025 NHL Draft Prospect Report: Oliwer Sjostrom
Playing within the Lulea organization in Sweden, Oliwer Sjostrom made significant progress last year, mainly in the country’s junior league. In the U20 category, the left-handed defenseman accumulated 24 points in 38 games, the highest among the defensemen on his team. He also ranked 5th in total points among U17 players in the J20 Nationell (regardless of position), and 2nd among defensemen behind Luka Radivojevic from Orebro (33 points).
His play even allowed him, at the age of 16, to be occasionally recalled during the season to the SHL. Although his ice time was limited (or nonexistent for a few games), this remains a significant positive on his resume considering his stature. If he gets more opportunities in the 2024-2025 season, it could work in his favor for the 2025 NHL Draft.
We also had the chance to see him compete internationally representing the « Tre Kronor ». His offensive performances were not groundbreaking. However, it’s important to understand that his role was more defensively focused. When given a bit more offensive responsibility, the defenseman responded very well.
Oliwer Sjostrom: A Modern Defenseman
This undersized defenseman embodies what is sought in a modern blueliner. Oliwer Sjostrom is a skilled skater who excels with the puck and is effective in making breakout passes or carrying the puck himself. The young player has the confidence to leverage his mobility to avoid pressure while keeping his head up.
On the attack, he is capable of directing a power play by distributing the puck intelligently or moving towards the net to create opportunities. It is not uncommon for him to deceive opponents in these situations by selling the shot and then exploiting a teammate open on the far side.
Alongside Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, another Swedish prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, the duo was devastating on the power play in the J20 Nationell, especially towards the end of the season. The two frequently found themselves on the ice and regularly outmaneuvered their opponents with continuous offensive rotations.
Compensating for Shortcomings with Intelligence
Finesse is an integral part of Oliwer Sjostrom’s profile. This is quite natural given that his size hasn’t really allowed him to establish a robust game where power helps him protect the puck. The prospect has therefore developed remarkable one-on-one skills at high speed. This can occasionally backfire if he becomes too carefree, but generally, against junior players, he handles himself well.
The consistent feedback will always be that he needs to improve his physical confrontations and use of his stick to address his shortcomings. Fortunately, his intelligence is also noticeable in his defensive zone, making him a valuable asset in defensive situations. It’s primarily his mobility that aids him here, but his motor and work ethic also keep him consistently engaged in the game.
Ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft
At present, I find it difficult to predict Oliwer Sjostrom’s draft ranking for the 2025 NHL Draft. His stature will undoubtedly be a disadvantage. Nevertheless, he is a smart prospect who is competent at both ends of the ice and excels in transition.
Some teams in the pros are not afraid to select this type of defenseman, so it’s possible he will find a taker. However, it will likely be in the second round rather than the first. Everything will depend on his development this season and his potential to play in the SHL with Lulea.
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