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Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Trade for Viktor Arvidsson

By Jordan Maresky

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 15: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his third period goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammate William Nylander #88 at Canadian Tire Centre on January 15, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 15: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his third period goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammate William Nylander #88 at Canadian Tire Centre on January 15, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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Feb 9, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson  Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson  Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

So, Who Is Viktor Arvidsson?

(stats as of February 14th)

Let’s get right to the point – Arvidsson is a flat-out goal scorer. Off to a slow start this season with two goals and seven points in 15 games, the Swede has been remarkably consistent in his career, scoring at or above a 20-goal pace every season from 2016-17 to 2019-20.

His best season came in 2018-19 when Arvidsson registered 34 goals and 48 points in 58 games and finished second among Predator forwards in expected goals above replacement. Averaged over a full season, Arvidsson was on pace for 48 goals and 68 points (stats; evolving-hockey).

Similarly, he has a unique intuition for knowing exactly where to be in the offensive zone which translates into a fearlessness towards getting into the dirty areas of the ice. Take a look at Arvidsson’s goal chart over the past three seasons prior to 2020-21 – it is a thing of beauty.

Hailing from Kusmark, Sweden, Arvidsson plays with a bit of bite that seems to be ingrained in the DNA of Swedish hockey players. Dubbed “Arvi Hustle” by the Predator fanbase and media alike, he finished in the 69th percentile in terms of puck recoveries on the forecheck per 60 last season.

What Arvidsson does not get enough credit for are the strides he has taken in his defensive game this season. He ranks in the 90th percentile in expected shots-against per 60 as well as the 88th percentile in expected goals-against per 60, the second-best mark of his career. Likewise, Arvidsson rarely allows the opposition entrance into the slot area, ranking in the 77th percentile in high-danger shots-against per 60 (stats; HBFAnalytics).

You get the sense of an underrated complete player in Arvidsson when looking at his assist rates also. That, in addition to his effectiveness in transition, paints Arvidsson as more than just a forechecking goal-scorer. One that you can rely on to create when the offense seems to have gone stagnant.

When peeling through all this information, the question remains why would Nashville make Arvidsson available?

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