MaxWestergård – 2025 NHL Prospect Prospect profile – Hockey Writer – NHL Entry Draft

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MaxWestergård

Team 2024-25: FrölundaHC (J20 Nationell, SHL)
Date of birth: September 3, 2007
Place of birth: Tampere, fin
Height: 5 feet 11, weight: 165 lbs
Shooting: Left
Position: Left Wing
NHL Draft Qualification: Qualifications in 2025

Ranking

Especially as one of the youngest players qualifying for the 2025 NHL Draft, Max Westergård’s work this season is impressive. His outstanding performance among juniors in the playoffs at Frölunda HC earned him a full-time role in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and earned a pivotal few minutes in the process. This is a player with a good vision, skill, and despite being less than 165 pounds the motor is inadequate.

Related: THW’s 2025 NHL Draft Guide

Westergård recorded 19 goals and 31 assists in 41 games, becoming 15^Th In J20 Nationell, the player who has reached 50 points in the past decade. His per-game rate (1.22) ranks among prestigious draft prospects such as Eddie Genborg, Milton Gästrin, Eric Nilson, Viktor Klingsell and Arvid Dott.

Westergård’s appeal to Frölunda’s SHL squad is an opportunity to get a much-needed professional experience. He failed to score a scoreboard in four regular season games, but he had one goal and two assists in 11 playoff games.

The three-point playoffs may not sound like a lot, but Westergård became the sixth player under the age and couldn’t reach the total in league history. He joined Ivar Stenberg (qualified draft in 2026), Marco Kasper, Kevin Fiala, Rasmus Dahlin and Alexander Steen, registering at least three points in a single playoff game as an under-18 player. The last four on this list are first-round draft picks.

James Hagens, Matthew Schaefer (Hockey Writer)

Westergård’s vision and overall intelligence shine in his game. He has some excellent pass sequences this season, even converted to SHL, arguably the hardest league in hockey outside the NHL. Westergård creatively found ways to find teammates for scoring opportunities, and he was willing to fight hockey on the board to set everything up.

On the hockey, he both shoots and threatens. He is good at entering high-risk areas, making him an advantage for complementary players. Westergård smartly created an offense for himself, but this was more common when competing with his age group.

There is work to be done physically and defensively to realize his potential as a supporter, but it is not because of the lack of attempts. Westergård’s motor is perfect for his physical condition and he is also very active when he is in contact. Although he is not necessarily an all-around player at this stage, this may be his future.

Westergård flashed his skating speed, which was useful in rush and defense. He has several interesting traits that NHL teams may like.

Other draft information

MaxWestergård – NHL prediction draft

Westergård is arguably a second round talent, but he may slip. Although impressive, his profile is not entirely unique. As a result, he could be a third or fourth round pick.

quotation marks

“There are a lot of good habits when it comes to offense – he always drives the internet and he shoots quickly. But when he needs to play any kind of defensive hockey, things break down. It feels like he’s always in position and doesn’t help physically.” – Steven Ellis, daily confrontation

“Max Westergard is a young, tool, highly competitive winger with NHL skating, a high-end hockey feel and a comprehensive game. He tends to be one of Finland’s top qualified strikers in a weaker draft course and has shown great internationally and professionally, with his ceilings that are competent for his ceiling. His ceilings are well mastered, he is competent and hard-working. – Neutral Zone

“He has excellent speed and agility that allows him to navigate easily on defenders. His ability to speed up quickly and change directions quickly makes him continue to threaten in terms of transition. This speed not only helps with offensive games, but also allows him to effectively evade his defensive responsibilities.” – Jocke Andersson, Fchockey

Advantages

Imagine
Hockey IQ
engine
ice skating

Under construction – Improvement

It may be necessary to develop his physical and defensive game to be effective in the NHL

NHL Potential

If Westergård wants to make an impact at the NHL level, it is likely to be a two-way player. With skills, IQ and a decent electric motor, it is certainly useful for the bottom six.

Risk and Reward Analysis

Risk – 2.5/5, Reward – 3.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 5.5/10, Defense – 5/10