Karl Annborn (D, R, 6’0″, 181, HV71 J20, 03/06/2007)
Karl Annborn is a poised and mobile two-way defenseman who offers a mature, well-rounded game. He combines excellent hockey sense, elite puck anticipation, and high-end passing accuracy, making him a reliable presence on both ends of the ice. While not particularly flashy, Annborn’s consistency, calm demeanor, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset for any team. With further development in his physical game and shot selection, he projects as a potential top-four NHL defenseman with power play upside.
Strengths
Skating and Mobility:
Annborn’s skating is a cornerstone of his game. He has excellent edge work, a quick first step, and a smooth, powerful stride.
His ability to cover ice efficiently allows him to excel in both offensive and defensive transitions.
Hockey IQ and Vision:
Demonstrates exceptional hockey sense, particularly in reading plays and anticipating puck movement.
Proactive in creating passing lanes and making quick, accurate decisions under pressure. His 90% passing completion rate and 1.75 grade “A” opportunities created per game underscore his offensive instincts.
Defensively, he consistently scans the ice to maintain strong net-side positioning and disrupt plays effectively with a very active stick and high end hand eye coordination.
Puck Management and Transition Play:
Annborn excels at moving the puck cleanly out of the defensive zone, using both short outlet passes and stretch passes to start immediate transition play.
His ability to process plays quickly and maintain possession under pressure is a significant asset.
Defensive Awareness and Competitiveness:
Despite his relatively modest size for a defenseman, Annborn plays with a physical edge, using his mobility and stick effectively to limit time and space for opponents.
His 52% success rate in 50/50 battles and elite puck retrieval numbers (4.1 loose puck recoveries per game) highlight his competitiveness and ability to win key battles.
Leadership and Mental Toughness:
Annborn displays maturity beyond his years, providing steady play and positive reinforcement for teammates.
He demonstrates the ability to move past mistakes quickly, maintaining his focus and composure throughout games.
Areas for Improvement
Physical Development:
At 6’0″ and 180 lbs, Annborn will benefit from adding muscle and explosiveness to improve his ability to handle larger opponents in board battles and net-front situations.
While he engages physically, increasing his strength will help him make a greater impact defensively.
Shot Selection and Offensive Contributions:
Annborn’s 0.94 missed shots and 1.09 blocked shots per game is a clear indicator that he needs improvement in his lateral mobility along the offensive blue.
Improving his deception, release and one-timer will make him a more significant threat from the blue line, particularly on the power play.
Gap Control Consistency:
While generally solid defensively, there are moments when Annborn could tighten his weakside gap control to prevent opponents from gaining access to the valuable middle ice.
Aggressiveness:
Annborn’s defensive game could benefit from more physicality, especially along the boards and in front of the net. Finding a balance between assertiveness and discipline will elevate his overall effectiveness, but there is no doubt that he will need to learn to “hit and pin” to end the cycle.
Key Development Goals
Add Muscle and Strength: Focus on off-ice strength and development training to improve board battles and net-front defense.
Refine Shot Selection and Power: Work on lateral mobility with the puck in confined areas like the offensive blueline, therefore creating better shooting lanes and increasing shot velocity to be a bigger threat offensively.
Enhance Defensive Gaps: Focus on maintaining tighter gaps in transition to limit opponent zone entries.
Increased Offensive Contributions: Continue developing confidence to activate as the second wave of the attack, scissor plays in the offensive zone and activating to the back door.
Projection
Karl Annborn projects as an NHL defenseman with the potential to contribute in all situations in the top-4 role. His ability to move the puck, manage play under pressure, and provide defensive stability makes him a versatile asset. With continued development in his physical game and offensive output, Annborn has the potential to be a reliable two-way presence at the NHL level.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Annborn is a early to mid-second round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Teams seeking a steady, intelligent defenseman with excellent mobility and offensive upside will view him as an appealing option.
Player Comparison
Matt Grzelcyk: Like Grzelcyk, Annborn is a reliable, two-way defenseman who excels at puck movement, positional play, and supporting the attack. Both players rely on their hockey IQ and skating ability to impact the game rather than brute physicality.
Final Assessment
Karl Annborn is an intelligent, mobile defenseman who provides a reliable presence in all three zones. His elite hockey sense and puck-moving ability form the foundation of his game, while his physical competitiveness and leadership round out his skill set. With further refinement in his offensive tools and defensive assertiveness, Annborn has the potential to be a top-four NHL defenseman capable of excelling in both even-strength and special teams situations.