Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - In the days leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, WGR will provide profiles on some players that could be available for the Sabres with the 20th overall pick in the first round.
There's one word that may best describe Elton Hermansson's game: Electric.
The Swedish forward was able to spend most of his draft year playing in the HockeyAllsvenskan - Sweden's second-tier men's professional league - with MoDo Hockey in his hometown of Örnsköldsvik. With MoDo, Hermansson was able to score 11 goals and add 10 assists for 21 points in 38 games played.
Hermansson did start his year playing with MoDo's U20 team, where he played well with three goals and nine points in 13 games played.
It was on the international stage where Hermansson was able to put the spotlight on himself with his offensive prowess. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup before the season, he managed 11 points (5+6) in just five games for the Swedes, coming away with a silver medal in the tournament.
Then at the end of the year at the IIHF U18 World Championship, Hermansson thrived with four goals, while leading the tournament in assists (8) and points (12), en route to Sweden winning a gold medal in the tournament. He was also named the tournament's best forward, as well as being named to the Media All-Star Team.
Hermansson is certainly one of the more fun prospects available in the 2026 NHL Draft, given his presence in the offensive zone.
The 18-year-old has a canon for a shot, especially from his off-wing on the left side of the ice. Hermansson can really get into his one-time shots, and it able to slam a shot in his wheelhouse, or make an adjustment to a pass that's just a touch off and still get off a hard shot on goal.
If he's not blasting away, Hermansson still has a very good wrist or snap shot that can find the top of the net in a hurry. He wastes little time with the puck on his stick when firing pucks on goal, and can pick his spots with his accuracy.
Hermansson can handle a puck very well, and takes his game to another level with the puck on his stick. He's a quick decision maker to generate offense, and can make decisions on the fly that greatly benefit his team. He can catch opposing players off guard with his pace with the puck on his stick, and has the nice touch to get off nice passes in order to set up scoring chances.
Away from the puck, Hermansson is always trying to find the best positioning to get into space and create the best scoring chances that way.
Where Hermansson could be an even more impressive and dangerous player is if he was willing to go to the net more and engage in play that's not at the perimeter. A number of his scoring chances come from distance, which doesn't always yield the best quality.
And for a player of Hermansson's status as an offensive dynamo, there is the risk a team takes with some defensive deficiencies. While he wasn't terrible in the defensive end, he's got to be able to be stronger not just on taking players out of the play, but also on pucks in battles in the gritty areas.
There's plenty of room to build on in his 6-foot-1 and 183-pound frame, though. If Hermansson can continue his hot offensive play and be the fun weapon he was this past season, teams will certainly be willing to take what he doesn't bring on the defensive side of the puck and hope he can grow into himself as he climbs the ranks.
Another year or two in Sweden likely does well for Hermansson, even playing in a league like HockeyAllsvenskan. If he can also show some growth and strength in his overall game, he may develop into a solid middle-six-type player if he makes it to the NHL level.
