The Ivar Stenberg Deep Dive

With the second overall pick, the San Jose Sharks drafted Ivar Stenberg to add another dynamic winger to the fold. After trading away William Eklund to the Ottawa Senators for the 9th overall pick, it became clear that the Sharks would select Stenberg. What are they getting in the Swedish winger?

Ivar Stenberg
Left winger
5'11" 181 pounds
Birthday: September 2007 (18)
Left-handed

Source: Ivar Stenberg @ Elite Prospects

One of the biggest takeaways from watching Stenberg is how patient he is. His ability not to rush a play or be forced into a position he doesn't want to be in. Stenberg can outwait his opponents, force them into precarious positions on the ice, then attack and take advantage. He is almost like Le'Veon Bell, waiting for the perfect opportunity, then striking.

Stenberg makes a great read in the neutral zone, picks off an errant puck, and then follows his linemates into the zone. He waits for the defenders to commit, creates some space, and gets off a great-looking shot with people crashing the net.

You see it again in his transition game; he utilizes his teammates to make natural picks in the defensive zone and opens up space before he hits the gas. As he enters the offensive zone, he could have passed to his teammate on the left wing, but decides to be patient. He holds onto the puck and draws three defenders before cutting it back between them to an open player set up for a one-timer. While the defender makes a last-second play to stop it, that creativity and patience are on a different level.

Ivar Stenberg also shows a high level of puck protection, especially for someone of his stature, under six feet. He is able to keep defenders from reaching the puck and uses his skating and maneuverability in tight spaces.

While he misses on the handoff, his ability to generate space and show off his power as he starts to drive to the net is impressive, even with a defenseman bearing down on him.

Here, he absorbs the initial contact from the defenseman and continues to protect the puck and get the cycle game going. Imagine having Macklin Celebrini or Michael Misa set up a play behind the net when Stenberg does this for the Sharks.

Stenberg is able to read when he needs to pick up the pace and join the action, and when he should hang back and be the trailer in certain situations.

Stenberg starts the breakout and sees that number 11 is going to beat him up the ice. Instead of trying to go stride for stride, he takes a second, becomes the second wave to get lost in the transition, and fires off a great shot that hits the post. Pairing this with Celebrini's vision and hustle will give Stenberg plenty of opportunities to put home chances like this away.

Ivar Stenberg has the perfect skill set to complement the San Jose Sharks' top-line players, Celebrini and Smith. He plays such a detailed, mature game already, and while there will be a ramp-up period in the NHL, it shouldn't be long before he is at full go, playing 17 minutes a night in all types of situations for the Sharks.