Rising Star Leo Carlsson Poised to Contribute to Sweden at 2026 Olympics
As the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games continues – with NHL players returning to the competition for the first time since 2014 – focus is turning to emerging talent. Among those expected to play a significant role for Sweden is Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, who is rapidly developing into a key player for both his NHL team and his national squad.
Carlsson first caught the eye of Swedish national team coach Sam Hallam during the 2023 IIHF World Championship, even as an 18-year-old. Hallam was impressed enough by Carlsson’s performance in planning and during camp to include him on the roster, despite not initially planning to utilize younger players. “He was simply the best player every game,” Hallam stated, adding that the experience was crucial for Carlsson’s development and likely aided his transition to the NHL.
Drafted second overall by the Ducks in 2023,Carlsson demonstrated immediate potential. In his rookie season (2023-2024),he recorded 29 points (12 goals,17 assists) in 55 games,with the team strategically limiting his ice time to facilitate his adaptation to the north American game. Last season, he built upon that foundation, amassing 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 76 games.
Carlsson’s progress has been noticeable. He reports feeling stronger, faster, and more confident after two seasons in the NHL.This improvement was evident in February’s 4 Nations tournament,and continued throughout the remainder of the season. Following the tournament, Carlsson tied for the lead in scoring among Ducks players and ranked second among Swedish-born forwards with 11 goals in 28 games. He finished third among all Swedish NHL players in scoring with 26 points, trailing only William Nylander (toronto Maple Leafs) and Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings).
At the 2025 World Championship, the 20-year-old carlsson tied for third in scoring for Sweden with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 10 games, again being the youngest player on the team, and helped Sweden secure a bronze medal.
Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg recognizes Carlsson’s immense potential. “You just have to see his talent, his motivation and his skate,” Forsberg said. “It is indeed astonishing that he is only 20 years old.He has a brilliant future ahead of him.” Forsberg further compared Carlsson’s combination of size and speed to that of Evgeni Malkin in his prime, suggesting Carlsson is still far from reaching his full capabilities.
this article will be published weekly on NHNH.com as part of a countdown series leading up to the 2026 Olympic Games.
