Ekberg has rebounded strongly in his second OHL season, posting 25 goals and 46 points in 57 games with Ottawa – a significant improvement on a down year last season that was hampered by injuries and a struggling 67’s team. The plus-20 is particularly encouraging for a player whose defensive game has been questioned. A smart playmaker who thrives in small-area situations, his hockey IQ is the carrying tool – the skating has question marks and the shot may not project as a plus attribute at higher levels, but playmakers with genuine vision tend to find a way. A seventh-round pick with a strong second half making a compelling case for Carolina to take a longer look. Still a long way to go, but he’s putting himself into a different conversation.

Ekberg seems like a solid bet on offensive talent, as he dominated players his own age on the international level but had a down scoring season in the OHL, aided by the fact that the Ottawa 67s were not that good and he dealt with injuries during the year. Ekberg is a smart playmaker who thrives in small area situations. His skating has some question marks surrounding it and the shot might not be a plus attribute at higher levels of hockey, but the hockey IQ and playmaking makes for an intriguing bet.

Selected 221st overall, Filip Ekberg is now a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

With high-end speed, playmaking, handling, and shooting, there are few in this draft that stack up with Ekberg on raw skill. And, at a time of year when many draft-eligibles played their worst hockey, Ekberg absolutely met the moment. After spending most of the year riding the pine in Ottawa, Ekberg had an offensively dominant end to the OHL season, a level of play he carried over to the U18’s where he was just as—if not more—effective. The size and perimeter-play concerns will follow him wherever he goes, though he has done almost everything he can to rehabilitate his draft stock.

Final Rankings – Filip Ekberg may have been a late riser, but his surge was no surprise: with the high hockey IQ, pace, and creativity, a bet on Ekberg was bound to pay off eventually. It did in spades as he finished the season strong with an 11-game point streak and MVP honors at the U18s. Though questions remain about his efficiency, defense, and size, his offensive instincts and motor suggest real middle-six NHL upside with proper development.—