Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Targets: Defensive prospects
By Austin Owens
Mattias Samuelsson, Defence, USNTDP (USHL)
From one USNTDP to another. The son of former NHL defenceman Kjell, Samuelsson has the pro hockey bloodlines and abilities that will make him a first rounder in the 2018 draft.
While he will likely be the final defender from the USNTDP squad taken in the first round this year, Samuelsson isn’t someone to look past as a possible future stud.
During his second season in the U.S. National Program, the defender played in 81 games across all competition for the USNTDP this season. He posted 15 goals and 45 points, to go along with 177 penalty minutes in that span.
Samuelsson also played for the U.S. at the World U-18 Hockey Championships, where he scored a goal and added an assist in seven games.
Here’s what Ben Kerr of LastWordOnHockey.com had to say about the offensive abilities of Samuelsson:
"“Samuelsson likes to join the rush as a trailer, looking to add extra offence. However, he is not going to lead the rush very often. At the point, he has a good slap shot, but its not a cannon either. Samuelsson has a knack of getting it on net, even with traffic and facing pressure at the point. He also has a very good wrist shot, and release. Samuelsson loves to sneak in from the point and get off that wrist shot from inside the circles. His snapshot is also powerful and accurate.”"
While he isn’t a defender who jumps off the page in terms of offensive ability, Samuelsson offers so much more than that. His bread and butter is his defensive ability.
He can throw hits, be aggressive, block shots and kill penalties. While his 64 penalty minutes in the USHL this season isn’t ideal, he should be able to rectify some of the more aggressive mistakes as he matures.
You can’t teach size, and at 6 foot 4, 217 lbs, Samuelsson is one of the biggest bodies the first round has to offer.
He will be attending the University of Western Michigan next season, where he will be able to improve on some aspects of his game which need polishing, such as his discipline, skating and offensive game.
Samuelsson was a captain for the USNTDP U-18 team this season and also wore the “C” for the U.S. at the U-18’s in April.
While a two-way defender would be the preferential pick here for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is untapped potential on the offensive end with Samuelsson. If he can become more of a threat there, he has the leadership qualities and IQ to become a very good defender in the NHL down the road.