Prospect Pulse: Nils Backstrom

Going a little off the beaten path here, I had a chance to see Detroit Red Wings 9th rounder (290th overall, 2004) that is currently a junior for the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. The former Djurgardens junior made the jump the NCAA after the Red Wings drafted him and has sort of faltered ever since. Prior to coming to America (with apologies to Eddie Murphy) Backstrom had a strong year in the Swedish under 20 league but has been unable to make a smooth adjustment to the North American game.

Though he may not develop into an NHL’er, he caught my eye because he is a good skater who can handle the puck and he seems to have developed a little mean streak. He isn’t a guy to get tied up in scrum or to drop the gloves, but he is very creative and enthusiastic with his stick. He took a few penalties in the 2 games I saw him play but was always eager to get in a little jab or such anytime a Sioux player was near. Though this isn’t a terribly desirable skill to have, it appeared to make this Swede an annoying guy to play against.

Backstrom has pretty decent size (6’1, 202) and is an effortless skater, but isn’t physical at all and doesn’t appear to have the strength to push guys around down low or in front of the net. He does, however, have a good to very good tool set (with the exception of what seems to be a soft shot) and can make a nice break out pass and/or easily skate the puck out of harms way. The point I am very slowly getting to here is that he may be one of those late developing college defenders who nobody really notices until he shows up at a camp and impresses someone. I give a lot of deference to the Red Wings scouting staff, who obviously saw something in this kid. He’s a dark horse for sure, but keep an eye on him just in case he shows up on the Wings roster a few years down the road.