Ranked #69 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #61 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #42 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #42 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #91 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #63 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #18 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #51 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #82 by HPR/MALLOY
Gudmundsson’s 6-foot-3 frame is intriguing as a starting point. So what happens when he shows off his puck skills, too? Gudmundsson had 25 points in 35 games at the Swedish U-20 level and had a solid showing en route to a gold at the U-18 World Championship. He’s a good puck mover who looked great on the power play, especially during the Swedish U-20 playoffs.
Gudmundsson’s shot lacks power, and he’s not actually that physical for his frame, which is why he’s further down here. But some scouts see a guy who has the tools to become a bottom-pairing option once he bulks up.
via The Hockey Prospect Blackbook
Gudmundsson is a good-sized, right-handed defenseman who moves and distributes the puck well. He’s not likely to be a power-play option at the next level — his shot from the point is average — but he can make positive plays with the puck on his stick in transition and in the offensive zone.
His path to the NHL is as a stay-at-home defenseman who can move pucks efficiently while bringing a physical element to the game. We saw significant physical growth this season, with him adding close to 15 pounds since last summer. He was previously tall and lanky but now looks stronger, more powerful, and more assertive. His skating has improved as well — there’s more power in his stride, and that should continue to develop given that he’s still far from physical maturity.
He still needs to improve his footwork, as he can get caught flat-footed in the neutral zone, which was a recurring issue throughout the season. He’s not an explosive athlete, so recovering when caught out of position doesn’t come easily. His decision-making is generally sound, but processing plays more quickly would elevate his game and remains another area for improvement.
There are some similarities to fellow Swedish defenseman Theodor Hallqvist, Minnesota’s second-round pick in 2025 — a player we were high on last year. Both are raw prospects with plenty of runway: stay-at-home defenders who possess underrated puck skills and good physicality. Gudmundsson’s performances in international competition were a mixed bag. He struggled at the Five Nations tournaments in November and February, but looked solid at the World Juniors on the smaller ice before finishing the season with a strong showing at the U18 World Championship in April.
We think he could develop into a third-pairing, right-shot defenseman who brings a physical presence while moving the puck well enough to handle NHL minutes if everything breaks right in his development.
