2022 NHL Entry Draft: The Winnipeg Jets Draft Elias Salomonsson 55th overall
Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images
The Winnipeg Jets have drafted Elias Salomonsson 55th overall from Skellefteå AIK J20 team. He also played 10 games in the SHL this year. Salomonsson has a late birthday on August 31 and will be one of the youngest players drafted this year.
He appears to be an offensively minded defenceman who can put up points in his own age group. Do not judge his numbers in the SHL as there is not a lot of context on his ice time or role when he was playing there.
He is ranked roughly in this area by multiple draft rankings. This is not a reach pick at all and a smart one for a team who has had success drafting and developing defencemen. Hopefully Salomonsson will be able to join the stable of young defenders that the Jets have acquired. While the big club needs to start playing them when they are ready, they are a very strong group overall and Salomonsson should fit right in there with them in a couple of year.
I am guessing he will be in Sweden for at least one more season, but probably two more seasons before coming over to the AHL if the Jets choose to sign him. This is a fine development path and a fairly normal one for European players.
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