Red Wings start Round 2 with William Wallinder selection
The Detroit Red Wings drafted blue-liner William Wallinder with the 32nd pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
William Wallinder
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 192 lbs
Club: Modo (Allsvenskan)
Nationality: Swedish
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)
Wallinder barely produced during his brief pro stint in 2019-20. However, he impressed for Modo's junior team in that same campaign, collecting five goals and 19 assists in 37 games at the lower level.
The blue-liner is now back playing in the Allsvenskan - Sweden's second-highest pro league - to start the 2020-21 season, which recently got underway.
Wallinder also has international experience after representing his country at several tournaments over the last two years.
NHL Central Scouting pegged him 14th among European skaters on its final rankings of the draft-eligible players. He slipped over the second half after slotting in seventh at the midterm.
What they're saying
"With his reach and feet, he is quite solid defensively and projects to make stops at the higher levels," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote.
However, Pronman also noted Wallinder has his flaws.
"I wouldn't call him a natural puck-mover, though," he added. "I could see him becoming a real player from what I've seen of his best days, but I want to see those best days more consistently."