The Dallas Stars have selected defenseman Niklas Hansson with the No. 68th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Hansson is an offensive-oriented defenseman out of Sweden’s SEL that played for Rogle last year, starting the year for the J18 team and being called up to the J20 level quickly. In 39 games at that level he tallied 23 points (3 goals, 20 assists) and a +26 rating.
At 6’0″, 172 he does not possess great size but is described, as so many offensive defensemen are in this stage of their career, as a good skater with a good first pass and good vision that needs work on his defensive game. He’ll also need to fill out that frame if he’s to handle bigger forwards in North America moving forward.
Expect him to spend more time developing across the Atlantic like others before him in recent years (Nemeth, Klingberg, Bystrom, etc…) His team was relegated from the SEL to the second tier league (Allsvenskan).
DAL selects Hansson. Really like his offensive upside. Solid skater with a lot of ability with the puck. Defense needs a lot of work.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 30, 2013
Eliteprospects.com
A raw talent. Hansson is an offensively skilled defenseman with very good hockey sense. He handles the puck comfortably, has good hands, a nice release and can set up plays. Strong on the powerplay. Capable skater with good mobility. Defensive game and decision making needs some improvement. (EP, 2013)
Hockey Proscpect.com
An intelligent and creative puck moving dman, Hansson has flown under the radar for the most part the past couple of seasons but all that ended when he became the latest in a series of young defenders in the Rogle organization to climb the ranks and play games in the Elitserien. He made such an impression in Rogle’s late season that he was left in the lineup for their crucial qualifying games in the relegation tournament. He is smooth with the puck, has great vision and is able to launch teammates all over the ice. He can still try to do a bit too much on his own with the puck, but is a player who continues to impress.
ISS Hockey:
He’s not the most physical player but he plays the body capably. Bigger forwards give him trouble, especially in
front of his net. He still has a lot of room to add onto his frame, which will not only improve his strength but should also boost his confidence and in turn improve all aspects of his game.