Nils Lundkvist to play in Sweden next season

Nils Lundkvist opened a lot of eyes last season playing for HC Luleå of SHL, putting up 31 points (11-20) in 45 games as a teenage defenseman in one of the best leagues in the world.  That kind of production garnered a lot of conversation about when exactly the former 28th overall pick will make his Rangers debut. Well, we might have to wait just a little bit longer for Lundkvist’s Broadway debut, as HC Luleå announced today that the 19 year old defenseman will suit up for them yet again next season. Nils cites that another year in the SHL helps build his experience and with the state the world is in, locked down under a pandemic, it makes sense to stay home and come over when it is safer to do so.

While Nils Lundkvist has decided on his home for the 2020-21 season, the other two 2018 1st rounders might be closer to NHL debuts as both Vitali Kravtsov (9th overall) and K’Andre Miller (22nd overall) could both see time on the expanded play-in rosters when/if the NHL returns this summer.