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Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson has had an impressive rookie season in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose and is quickly moving up the depth chart.
The Jets selected the 20-year-old right-handed defenseman in the second round (55th overall) in the 2022 NHL draft. Before the Jets selected him, he spent his draft year in the Swedish junior leagues and played 10 games in their professional league.
The next two seasons were spent in the SHL, where he became more of a regular and was a part of two long playoff runs, including an SHL championship. After proving he was good enough for the Swedish pro league, he and the Jets decided he was ready to move to North America.
Elias Salomonsson in the SHL finals. His team is up 3-1 in the series here is his playoff stats:
23:24 TOI/GP 1st on team.
+7 5vs5 goal diff. 1st on team.
54% CF 5th on team and 2nd among dmen.
6 points in 15 games.
1st in hits on team
2nd in blocked shots
He’s 19 yrs old.— abrasive but astute. (@chevys_abrasive) April 29, 2024
Now, in his rookie campaign, Salomonsson has scored three goals and 15 points in 26 games, leading all Moose defensemen in points. Transitioning to the AHL has gone smoothly for Salomonsson, and it can be attributed to his NHL-ready frame and skating ability.
He’s a smooth skater, allowing him to avoid forecheckers and make heads-up passes as they break out of the zone. His 6’2, 189 lbs frame helps him defend the rush and protect the front of his goal. His seamless transition earned him an All-Star nod.
Related: Manitoba’s Salomonsson Named to AHL All-Star Game
The Jets prospect pool doesn’t contain many defensemen despite the plethora of NHL-calibre defensemen on the roster. Ville Heinola has struggled to break through and, when given the opportunity, hasn’t impressed the coaching staff. Simon Lundmark is 24 years old but has yet to make his NHL debut and hasn’t taken the strides they were hoping, and Alfrons Freij is still just 18 years old and is multiple years away from becoming a legit NHL prospect.
If Salomonsson can continue to produce offensively and maintain his defensive acumen, it won’t be long before he receives his first bit of NHL experience.
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Related: Jets Recall Former Second Round Pick From The Manitoba Moose
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