23 Options for the Leafs at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Freij + Sahlin Wallenius

The Toronto Maple Leafs pick 23rd overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Over the last week or so, we've been profiling players the Toronto Maple Leafs should take with their pick.

The first round of the draft is June 28, with the second and subsequent rounds on Saturday.

Today's profile is on two players, both members of the same team, and the same position, Alfons Freij & Leo Sahlin Wallenius.

Introduction

Both Alfons Freij and Leo Sahlin Wallenius play their hockey in the Swedish U20 with the Vaxjo Lakers, both of the being key players on the squad.

Sahlin Wallenius, a 6'0, 186lbs left-handed defenseman, had 11 goals, 31 assists & 42 points in 43 games, as well as 3 points, all assists, for Sweden at the World Juniors U18's.

Freij, a 6'1, 196lbs left-handed defenseman, had 14 goals, 19 assists & 33 points in 40 games for Vaxjo J20 this past season, as well as 2 goals and 6 pointsin 7 games for the Swedish u18 team at the World Junior U18’s.

Sahlin Wallenius was named the best defenseman in the Swedish U20, the J20 Nationell. Freij was third in defensemen scoring at the U18's and second among all Swedes.

Freij will spend next season on loan in the Swedish men's second tier, HockeyAllsvenskan with Bjorkloven.

Both players are largely offensive minded defenders who move the puck and create passes.

Sahlin Wallenius has shown the most results so far, being a strong playmaker and creator, he was arguably his team's best player consistently. However, it's Freij who's dynamic skating and transition skills make him a potentially higher upside player.

Despite their stylistic similarities as average sized puck-moving defenders, their games have a lot of differences between them.