Top Swedish player Milton Gastrin could be a first round draft pick
Preparations for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft are now in full swing. We will soon find out who the number one overall pick will be this year, and with it, the remaining 223 picks throughout the entire event. This year, the draft will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, with round 1 taking place on Friday, June 27, and rounds 2-7 on Saturday, June 28.
One of the top prospects at this year’s draft will be Milton Gastrin. Here, we will take a brief look at Gastrin’s overall game, including his strengths, weaknesses, and draft projection.
Milton Gastrin is a Swedish ice hockey player who played professionally for Modo Hockey last year in the Swedish Hockey League. Gastrin was born on June 2, 2007, in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The 18-year-old is a left-handed shooter and plays as a forward. His primary position is the center, but he can also play on the left wing.
One of the top Swedish prospects this year, the 6 feet 1 inch, 185-pound center also captained his team last year and put up a strong performance with 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points from 40 games.
Playing for Sweden on the international stage, he was a member of the Swedish under-18 National team, which won a bronze medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and a silver medal at the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Taking a look at his strengths, Gastrin is known for his excellent tw-way skills. Despite playing center, his defensive skills haven’t gone unnoticed, and the overall balance in his game is a positive sign for things to come. NHL scouts have identified his ability to set up plays on offense, while also falling back and making plays defensively.
Moreover, he is said to possess an excellent motor. His skating ability is right up there with the best of the best in this draft class, and he is a reliable skater who works hard. Additionally, has plenty of leadership experience, having captained his junior league teams.
There are not too many weaknesses that stand out in his well-rounded play, but, having said that, the Swedish player’s biggest concern arises in the lack of offensive output. He is still a work in progress and hasn’t fully developed his game, which means he is being looked at as a third-line player.
At present, Gastrin’s game relies heavily on his effort and positioning rather than creativity and playmaking skills. If he can improve on the latter, there is a good chance his offensive production can increase significantly.
Milton Gastrin is generally seen as a first-round draft pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. However, according to several mock drafts and draft projections, he sits near the end of the first round, and could even fall into the second round. The San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames could be potential suitors late in round one.
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