Top prospect confirmed to be starting his NHL career at the beginning of the 2023-24 season

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Mike Armenti
August 17, 2023 (9:10)

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The Anaheim Ducks were thrilled to come into the 2023 NHL Entry Draft with the 2nd overall pick in the draft. They used that pick on Orebro HK forward, Leo Carlsson. At the time, many felt that Michigan's Adam Fantilli was the better pick at #2, but the Ducks liked what they saw from Carlsson last year and were thrilled to nab him with the 2nd overall selection.

According to reports out of Sweden, Ducks prospect Leo Carlsson will not appear in any pre-season games with Orebro HK and is expected to get 9 games with Anaheim before they decide if he will continue in the NHL or play with the American Hockey League's San Diego Gulls.

In 44 games for Orebro HK last season, Carlsson registered 10 goals and 15 assists, totaling 25 points and followed that up with 9 more points in 13 playoff appearances. On the international stage, the 18-year-old put up 6 points in 7 games at the World Juniors (3 goals, 3 assists) and 5 points in 8 games at the IIHF World Hockey Championship, logging big minutes against NHLers and other pros that were much older and more experienced.

The Ducks are doing very well for themselves with their rebuild, already boasting the likes of Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Jamie Drysdale, Lukas Dostal, Jacob Perreault, Sasha Pastujov, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger and more. After adding Carlsson to this group, the Ducks are looking like a future juggernaut.