George Walker IV / AP
David Edstrom puts on a Las Vegas Golden Knights jersey after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | 8:03 p.m.
David Edstrom, center, poses with Las Vegas Golden Knights officials after being picked by the team during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
The Golden Knights put a cap on the first round of the NHL Draft by selecting Swedish center David Edstrom with the 32nd pick on Wednesday night.
Edstrom, 18, is a 6-foot-3 forward who played with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. He had 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 28 games in his time with the Frolunda junior team last season, then had four points in 11 games with the professional club.
He’s not described as a dynamic playmaker down the middle, but Edstrom does possess a high hockey IQ and plays a strong net-front game in the offensive zone.
“Edstrom is sneakily good in almost every facet of the game,” according to Elite Prospects. “He’s made in the mold of a big two-way center but also provides a lot of value offensively and — at times — even in transition. He’s also a solid distributor of the puck, both in the offensive zone and on the breakout.”
The draft will resume Thursday at 8 a.m. with rounds 2-7. The Golden Knights currently have just four picks in the final six rounds — 77 (from Buffalo), 96, 192 and 224.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
