Draft Profile
Jokke Nevalainen – Dobber Prospects: “Andrae is undersized but he plays a more physical style than his bigger counterparts out of Sweden. He doesn’t back down from any situation and he’s not afraid to play the body when it’s needed.”
Scott Wheeler – The Athletic: “He’s strong on his feet, which he leverages effectively along the wall. He’s physical for his size. And he’s calculated enough with the puck to recognize when he needs to hang onto it and when he just needs to advance the play (though, like every young player with his talent, he can try to do too much).”
Chris Peters – ESPN: “With high-end offensive instincts and poise with the puck, Andrae is a defenseman who doesn’t meet the prototypical size standards by any means. ”
Tony Wolak – The Hockey Writers: “Sure, Emil Andrae is small in stature, but that hasn’t been an issue for the blueliner. Andrae has intelligent vision and can create in all three zones. He also isn’t afraid to be physical”
Cam Robinson – Dobber Prospects: “Creative, shifty, and intelligent. Throw in strong edgework and deceptive speed and you’ve got the recipe for success for an undersized defender. Can dance out there.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com: ” A two-way mobile defenseman capable of making good reads with his vision and quick first pass and is effective on the power play. He had 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games in Sweden’s junior league, and played 10 games in the SHL.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com: “A two-way mobile defenseman capable of making good reads with his vision and quick first pass; effective on the power play.”
Steve Koumianos – The Draft Analyst: “He display a phenomenal touch when connecting on breakout passes, but he also has quick feet and a sudden speed burst that helps him dart into openings. Skating and playmaking, however, are just apart of the overall package. Andrae stands up at his defensive line and uses powerful leg drive to deliver clean hits.”
Player Profile
Emil Andrae was the top scoring defenseman in the SuperElit league, while also having 12 points in 13 games for the u-18 Swedish team, and being a standout at the WHC-17 last year. Despite being undersized, he is certainly the most talented Swedish blue-liner in the draft, and has the ability to be a top four NHL defenseman down the line.
Andrae is able to puck-handle exceptionally well, both at speed and in close quarters. This lends itself well to transitioning the puck up ice, as well as evading pressure and providing efficient outlet passing from his own zone. He is also creative in the offensive zone, especially at the offensive blue-line, where his hands, IQ and calm demeanor means that he creates space exceptionally well, and baits forwards into over-committing to result in odd-men situations when walking in. This becomes a greater threat when his wrist-shot is factored in, as once a man has over-committed Andrae is capable of driving to the high-slot and getting a dangerous wrister off to create havoc near the crease. He has a good defensive IQ as well, and even though he is by no means “big”, he is broad and strong for his size, and has no issue being physical. At times he even engages in contact when he has the puck in the offensive zone. It is rare to see a defenseman “Forsberg” an opponent… but Andrae did just that on multiple occasions this year.
Apart from size, the only real issue is that his skating is pretty mediocre, and while very agile he has a slightly clunky stride, and as a result does not seem to develop the power he might be capable of in a straight line. He projects as a middle pairing defenseman if he can get faster. However, overall he has a very mature game that does not need overly developing from here on out in order to reach the NHL.
2025 was an impressive season for Andrae, though he has been (and may continue to be) a victim of being on the wrong roster. With the Flyers having numerous puck-moving defensemen competing for ice time and a roster spot, and with several diminutive young players already on the roster, Andrae was frequently sent to the AHL due to his exemption from waivers. In the end, he played 42 games with the Flyers, getting sheltered minutes and second-unit PP time. He is a hard-working player with skills that are arguably the best on the blue line for Philadelphia. His possession metrics are through the roof – he was second on the team in Corsi-for relative%. He finds openings and threads the needle better than anybody, though sometimes it can be a risky pass. Despite his 5-9 frame, he holds his own. Currently, he’s behind Jamie Drysdale for PP ice time. In the AHL, his production is up to 0.64 points-per-game, plus he added six assists in seven playoff games. Still exempt from waivers, he’ll be in tough again, but he has the talent and always impresses new coaches. Too good to hold down.
