NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Filip Ahl

 

Get to Know Filip Ahl

Date of Birth: June 12, 1997
Place of Birth: Jönköping, Sweden
Ht: 6’4”  Wt: 215 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
Team: HV71 (SuperElit)

Filip Ahl led HV71’s junior team in goals (20) and points (42) before playing 15 games with the senior club for 15 games. On January 23, 2014 when he dressed for HV71, Ahl became the ninth youngest player to ever appear in an SHL game. Ahl finished his SuperElit season with 42 points in 34 games and ranked 12th in points per game. While he only scored 2 points in his 15 SHL game promotion, the hulking 17 year old year old played well against much older players in the SHL.

 

Statistics

What Scouts See

Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects:

A competitive winger who skates with good balance, using his large frame to establish his presence through physical play, and shields the puck exceptionally well. His offensive prowess is exhibited through his use of the neutral zone to pick up speed and momentum, his fine puckhandling ability, and his dominance on the forecheck. Filip Ahl plays to his strengths, using his intangibles and knowledge of the game to his advantage; in doing so, he can be a very difficult opponent to play against, and this is what will make him successful in the future.

Future Considerations

Ahl is a big boy who loves to play the typical power forward role. He skates well for a big man; not overly speedy but has a long, powerful stride and is surprisingly agile. He isn’t overly talented with the puck on his stick, but is effective in possessing and using fundamental skills to ward away opponents. Has the ability to power through checks and thrives in the area around the net [. . .] The only flaw we see in this north/south power winger is his tendency to drag his ass late in shifts.

Bill Placzek, Draft Site

Hulking pro-sized wing with an explosive shot that jumps off his blade. Just starting to develop a strong stride and with it much better acceleration. Regardless he is very strong on his skates and a soft passer and playmaker. Still needs to keep his feet moving at both ends, is good on the cycle and stick handles out nicely to get loose and let that big shot go. He beats defenseman with surprising East-West agility. You do want to see a bit more intensity more urgency away from the puck in his end, and use of that big body on the wall with more edginess, but there’s lots to like as he develops his all-around game.

Highlights

NHL Potential

With his impressive NHL size and advanced physical game, Filip Ahl has good potential to reach the NHL in either an impact or checking role. The biggest things holding Ahl back in the draft are his lack of high end offensive skills and his struggle to put together consistent game-to-game performances.

That said, Ahl’s size and instincts are very attractive and give him the ability to play on any line in a variety of roles. Ahl may not have the upside of some other players drafted near him, but his skillset also makes him a safer bet than some of the high-skill players available near him in the draft.

Expected Draft Position

Filip Ahl projects as a third round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, but thanks to his enormous 6’4” frame, he could attract attention in the second round.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

The Avalanche have an extreme shortage of NHL quality wingers throughout their farm system. It’s expected that the Avalanche will select a number of wingers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and given his size and high ceiling, Filip Ahl could make an excellent third round selection for the Avalanche.

Ahl would likely return to Europe next season and then spend time in the AHL before playing at an NHL level.

For a look at some of the other wingers likely to be drafted near Filip Ahl, check out these prospect profiles:
Austin Wagner
Blake Speers
Nikita Korostelev
Erik Foley
Adam Musil