23 Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2024 Draft - Stian Solberg

The Toronto Maple Leafs pick 23rd in next week's NHL Entry Draft.

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

Yesterday we looked at Cole Huston.

Today we take a look at Stian Solberg.

23 Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2024 Draft - Stian Solberg

Stian Solberg was one of many defenseman in this draft who had a varying amount of opinions on his talent.

Some scouting reports were positive about his strong, physical effort and playmaking abilities, while others seemed a little uncertain about his upside and the fact he played in the Norwegian league, where many talented players from smaller hockey countries, such as his fellow compatriot, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, play in countries with better development academies such as Sweden.

Those questions quickly eroded after Solberg made the Norwegian team at the men's World Championship. All of a sudden, Solberg was going from playing with former NHLers and European talent, to having to defend against Brady Tkachuk and Nico Hischier, and was handling himself.

All of a sudden, Solberg seperated himself from a lot of the players swarming to be the next defenseman after the expected run on defense early in the draft, and now, Solberg may have gone from being a consolation to being in that same top-end group.

INTRODUCTION

Stian Solberg is a left-handed defenseman from Norway who plays for Valerenga in the Norwegian top men's division. Solberg is 6'1 and 205lbs.

Solberg played the entire season in Norway against men, getting 5 goals, 10 assists & 15 points in 41 games for Valerenga.

Solberg has played in the Norwegian men's league since he was 16 years old. Solberg also played at the World Championship for the Norwegians, getting 2 goals and 3 points in 7 games. He also played at the World Juniors, his first and only taste of competition against his own age group this year, although he played a lot more defensive, and had jut 2 points for the Norwegians, who were relegated.

Solberg is ranked 15th by TSN's Craig Button, 23rd by Sportsnet's Jason Bukala, and 45th in Bob Mckenzie's rankings, but are from March, so pre-WC. Likely to be higher once the final rankings come out.

One of the bigger risers in this draft class, Solberg was quietly performing even before the international boom, he just went under the radar. Here's what I took from Solberg's game throughout the season.

SCOUTING REPORT

Stian Solberg is a two-way defenseman who has a lot of maturity and composure each shift.

During the first half of the season, I was uncertain on Solberg. He didn't seem to alwasy handle the toughness of pro hockey. As the season went on, I felt more comfortable in Solberg's pace and handling of teams.

Defensively, Solberg really grew into his surroundings.

You don't play full-time hockey as a teenager without at least some strong maturity, and Solberg really pushed on that. He's a physical defenseman who isn't afraid to lean into his size to command pressure against opponents.

He's strong and sturdy, able to deliver strong hits and force turnovers. He has a lot of power to his game, but also has some good defensive IQ. Turnovers have happened, but Solberg has gotten better at controlling himself.

On offense, Solberg is a strong puck-mover who has good skating for his size, making him a strong transition option. He does well advancing by playing the puck forwards and being able to find passing options in tight spaces. Solberg is quick and mobile, and hard-working.

The Norwegian league isn't the easiest league to determine youth player quality, but there's little doubt Solberg had looked highly impactful.

He'll be spending next season in Sweden with Farjestad, which will be the true determination of his talent level. I think the pieces are there for a second-line, two-way defenseman who consistently impacts and fights for the puck. A lot of his game is highly translatable, and his best aspects are tools teams look for in defensemen.

Toronto Maple Leafs Likeliness

An interesting tidbit, Solberg led the combine in both Pro Agility categories. Last year's leader in both categories? Easton Cowan.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of love for tall, intelligent defenseman. The entire defensive group in the NHL is over 6'0 and they largely draft the same as well.

I don't know if Solberg is there at Toronto's pick (23) or if he goes higher based on what scouts saw at the Worlds, and a lot of credibility is given to international ability, even though twitter scouts will say the tourneys aren't everything, but mind you that Solberg did well against men.

Solberg seems like a player the Leafs would more than likely have placed on their board. And they've already been linked to the Norwegian defenseman, meeting him after the NHL Draft combine in Toronto.

In terms of game type, I think Toronto will value his two-way skill and maturity. His strong floor reminds me a bit of Timothy Liljegren in his draft year, although Liljegren was more of a faller, and Solberg a riser.

There's a slight uncertainty with Solberg having played in Norway, not the best competition level, but probably tougher opponents than the junior leagues of Sweden and Finland. What he'll do next year in Farjestad will be the deciding factor. I can see the Leafs taking the potential upside that's there as a plus. It all goes back to if he's there. Pre-WC it seems like a slight reach, now it seems a bit like a dream.

I think if Stian Solberg is there at 23, and this is my opinion and not as a matter of fact, I expect him to be high on Toronto's list of best remaining players.