Penguins draft Filip Gustavsson 55th overall
The Pittsburgh Penguins selected goalie Filip Gustavsson with the 55th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Saturday.
Position: Goalie
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 18
Club: Lulea HF (SHL)
Nationality: Swedish
| Games | Record | GAA | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4-2-0 | 2.17 | .910 |
Gustavsson rose from the ranks of Lulea's junior club and made his professional debut this past season at the age of 17. In six Swedish Hockey League games, he more than held his own against seasoned veterans, cementing his ranking as the top European goalie prospect heading into the draft.
He was also named Best Goaltender at the Under-18 World Junior Championship, where he won a silver medal with Sweden.
Likely a couple years away from making the jump to North America as he continues to hone his game in Sweden, Gustavsson projects to be a high-end option in net, according to Ben Kerr of Last Word On Sports:
Gustavsson has the potential to be a high end goaltender in the NHL. While (his) size and sitting on the goal line is a bit of a concern, working with a good goalie coach can help him to play a little further out of the net, and maximize what size he does have. Gustavsson will be a long term project, but could develop into a franchise level goalie. His style is similar to fellow Swedish goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, however this is a stylistic comparison only, not one based on his skill and ability.
Amid rumours that Marc-Andre Fleury could be on the move - especially with the upcoming NHL expansion draft - Gustavsson provides the Penguins with some goaltending insurance.