Position: Winger

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 194 lbs.

Shoots: Right

DOB: Sept. 23, 1993

Team: Djurgården (Elitserien)

For a team wanting a purely offensive talent, there were few better options in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft than Djurgården's Swedish winger Pontus Åberg.

A dynamic sniper, Åberg's best quality is no doubt his rocket slap shot. Fast and accurate, Åberg's shot has allowed him to become one of the most dominant young forwards in the Swedish Elitserien. 

Åberg is also a very good skater, with good acceleration and a high top speed, and he is willing to get physical to win puck battles. Like most young Swedes, Åberg is also a responsible defensive player, who can be an effective penalty killer.

Off the ice, Åberg is a humble, hard-working kid who is just the kind of down-to-earth personality you would want in your locker room.

Åberg spent the season with Djurgården in the Elitserien, where he rapidly established himself as one of the team's go-to players despite being an 18-year-old boy in a predominantly men's league. In 47 games with the Stockholm team, Åberg scored eight goals and added seven assists for 15 points, to go along with just six penalty minutes.

Unfortunately, Åberg missed the 2012 World Junior Championships due to injury, effectively missing the only chance he had to showcase his skills against others his age in front of scouts.

That said, Åberg is mature beyond his age and had shown enough through his impressive performance with his club team to solidify his status as a first-round pick. Because of his size and strength, Åberg could likely be in the NHL as soon as next season, but contract obligations will keep him from North America for one or two more seasons.

Pontus Åberg was ranked as the No. 6 European skater by Central Scouting before the draft.

Analysis: Åberg projects as a top-line power forward and a relied-upon offensive force. He will be able to contribute on both special teams.