Viktor Arvidsson
ON-ICE VALUE
Top-Six Forward
STRENGTHS
Hustle: Arvidsson plays an uptempo, fearless brand of hockey. He hounds puck-carriers, uses his edges to keep defenders off him along the boards and drives to the net with conviction. Though he doesn’t boast impressive physical tools, he makes up for it with a high compete level all over the ice.
Craftiness: The Swede is a confident and nifty puck-handler who is willing to attack defenders one-on-one. When he’s in the groove, you’ll find him dragging the puck between his legs or attempting spinning, no-look passes. His hands are also effective in tight, as he has a great feel for how to deke past goaltenders.
Finish: He doesn’t always have the best shot selection, but if his teammates can offer him decent looks, he can convert at a stellar clip. His wrister is quick and accurate, his backhand move is deadly on breakaways and most importantly, he goes to the dirty areas in search of deflections and second-chance opportunities.
WEAKNESSES
Size: As hard as he works, his 5’9”, 180-pound frame does still betray him at times. He can’t disrupt opponents as effectively as taller players could and puck protection is sometimes an issue. Durability is also a concern given the beating he takes in high-traffic areas.
Defense: The downside of his fast-paced style is that he sacrifices structure for energy. He isn’t the most positionally sound winger around and he can sometimes try to do a little too much rather than merely taking care of his assignment. His lack of size and focus can lead to extended stretches in the defensive zone.
