The Toronto Maple Leafs' recent third-round pick is getting a call-up no one expected.
Mans Gudmundsson, Toronto's 76th overall pick in June, is slated to receive a top-pair preseason test with Farjestad BK at just 18 years old.
It is important to note that the Maple Leafs prospect was drafted out of junior hockey, having played one game with the senior squad last season, while playing 35 games with their U-20 squad, 28 games for Sweden internationally, and four games for their U-18 squad.
He is a 6-foot-3 defenseman with a projectable frame and is stout defensively; he is incredibly aggressive and uses physicality to separate himself on the ice. Skating remains one of the areas Gudmundsson needs to improve, but his offensive game is more developed than his goal total suggests. He recorded 25 points in 35 games for Färjestad's U20 team last season, including 24 assists, while showing a reliable first pass and willingness to join the attack.
What makes the opportunity notable is that Gudmundsson spent almost all of last season in Sweden's U20 league and made only one SHL appearance before Toronto drafted him.
Toronto selected Gudmundsson 76th overall as part of a draft in which the organization emphasized adding young defensive depth, taking three defencemen among its first five selections.
Mans Gudmundsson is being tested one full level above where Toronto drafted him
This is a test for how Gudmundsson will handle the speed and level difference of playing at a higher level. Even in just a preseason game, the level of talent from juniors to a professional league is a significant leap, and if he can show that he can hold his own, they might decide to keep him on the roster.
A top-pair preseason assignment does not mean Gudmundsson is about to become an SHL regular. The more important test is whether his physical game, decision-making and first pass can hold up against professional players after spending almost all of last season at the U20 level.
He is being paired with Axel Bergkvist of the SHL. The 26-year-old is experienced, is 5 foot 9 with good puck-moving abilities. He is going to be headed into his fifth season in the SHL and will likely serve as a mentor to help Gudmundsson handle the speed of the game at the next level.
Coaches, scouts, and many more will be watching the youngster perform in the preseason, as being that size and athletic does not grow on trees, and finding a depth role for someone with that archetype is not hard to come by.
Having a cup of coffee for someone like Gudmundsson is only going to help his development; even if he does not succeed, his showing that he is ready for the moment and is getting this opportunity speaks to how people view his potential talent.
The Maple Leafs should measure Gudmundsson's season by SHL trust, not his point total
Ultimately, his point total or production should not be the way that the Maple Leafs judge his production.
Where he gets to in terms of benchmarks would be a solid way to evaluate how the third-round pick has done.
Things like can Gudmundsson become a regular, carve out a role as a penalty killer, have his skating improve drastically, maybe have a piece of his offensive game improve, is he playing depth minutes or is moving into a regular pair are some of the things he could do to show improvement and a strength against men.
It is not going to be about reaching the NHL as soon as possible; developing into a serviceable asset at the next level is a huge win every time an organization lands one.
If Gudmundsson can become a legit prospect that can be useful down the line, it is more than what you are hoping he becomes this season.
Toronto does not need Gudmundsson to produce heavily this season. The meaningful development win would be earning enough trust from Färjestad to stay around the senior team and gradually turn preseason opportunities into regular SHL minutes.
Who will be the breakout prospect from the Maple Leafs' most recent draft this upcoming season?
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