
Oscar Davidsson (C, L, 6’1″, 185, HV71, 09/25/2006)
Oscar Davidsson is a highly competitive, two-way center with strong puck skills and excellent hockey IQ. His ability to dominate in the low areas of the ice, combined with his knack for generating scoring chances through intelligent positioning, deception and puck movement makes him a well-rounded prospect. While his game is mature and reliable, areas such as skating explosiveness and physical assertiveness need to improve to maximize his NHL potential.
Strengths
Puck Skills and Deception:
Davidsson has high-end puck-handling ability, consistently using his skill to generate offensive opportunities for his unit and himself.
His ability to manipulate defenders with subtle dekes and fakes allows him to create time and space, leading to odd-man rushes and high-danger chances.
Hockey IQ and Vision:
He plays a mature, team-oriented game, quickly identifying and exploiting shooting lanes and passing options.
His 86% passing accuracy and ability to generate 0.75 of his passes into grade “A” scoring chances for teammates highlight his strong offensive vision and decision-making.
Face-Off and Battle Success:
Davidsson excels in the face-off circle, winning 56% of his draws, which underscores his readiness for situational play at the next level.
His 59% win rate in 50/50 puck battles shows his tenacity and effectiveness in contested situations, particularly in the corners / along the boards and in the low slot.
Work Ethic and Grit:
Known for his relentless hustle, Davidsson is a constant presence in the dirty areas of the ice—corners, behind the net, and in front of the crease—where he uses his skill and compete level to make a positive impact.
His willingness to take hits to make plays and his dedication to playing a 200′ game highlight his two-way value to an older NHL team looking to supplement roles with younger players or a young team looking to take that next step towards winning.
Versatility:
Though primarily a center, Davidsson has also shown he can be effective on the wing when playing Internationally.
Areas for Improvement
Skating Explosiveness and Speed:
While Davidsson has good quickness and change-of-pace ability, his overall speed and explosiveness lag behind top-six NHL standards.
Adding power and explosiveness through off-ice training will allow him to separate more effectively from defenders and better compete in the transition game.
Physicality and Strength:
Davidsson absorbs a high number of hits (1.06 per game) for a player in Europe, which may indicate a need to improve his physical assertiveness and ability to protect himself in certain situations after making a play.
Developing greater strength and core stability will enhance his ability to withstand contact and impose himself physically in puck battles.
Shooting Volume and Efficiency:
While Davidsson averages 2.0 shots on goal per game, his shot volume and deception can be further improved to make him a more consistent offensive threat level.
Continuing to work on shot mechanics and expanding his one-timer shooting zone will help him convert more of his opportunities into goals.
Turnovers:
Averaging 4 giveaways per game is ok, but Davidsson needs to limit turnovers on offensive line rushes and zone entries.
Key Development Goals:
Improve Skating Mechanics: Work on stride explosiveness and overall speed to match NHL-level pace.
Physical Strength: Add muscle and core stability to better withstand contact and win puck battles against the best players in the World.
Increase Shooting Efficiency: Focus on improving his one-timer and volume to become a more consistent offensive threat.
Puck Management: Limit turnovers in the offensive grey areas by making quicker, more effective plays under pressure from hardworking backcheckers.
If Davidsson can address these areas, he has the tools and hockey IQ to develop into a dependable, versatile NHL player capable of excelling in various roles.
Projection
Oscar Davidsson projects as a versatile, middle-six center or winger in the NHL with the potential to carve out a long career as a reliable, two-way contributor. His mature, well-rounded game and ability to support teammates offensively and defensively make him an ideal complementary player.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Davidsson projected as a late-first early-second round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Teams seeking a versatile, high-IQ forward who can contribute in all situations will find value in him. If he can elevate his skating and add more physicality to his game, he could rise into the late first round.
Player Comparison
Joel Eriksson Ek – A reliable, two-way forward with strong face-off ability, grit, offensive upside who can play anywhere in the top-nine.