Anaheim Ducks Prospect Spotlight: Evaluating Lucas Pettersson's Options After SHL Club's Relegation
Jun 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beckett Sennecke is selected with the 3rd overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesThe end of March and the flipping of calendars to April indicate one thing in the hockey world: playoffs. CHL playoffs are underway as are playoffs in the European hockey leagues, soon to be followed by the AHL and, eventually, the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks forward prospect Lucas Pettersson (35th overall in 2024) recently saw his 2024-25 SHL season come to an end at the hands of fellow Ducks forward prospect Herman Traff (91st overall in 2024) in a relegation battle between Pettersson’s MoDo Hockey and Traff’s HV71.
As a result of the best-of-seven series in which HV71 won 4-2, MoDo will be relegated to the HockeyAllsvenskan for the 2025-26 season, Sweden’s second-tier professional division.
Pettersson (18) had his 2024-25 season split between playing for MoDo, the SHL club that owns his rights, and on loan for Ostersunds IK in HockeyAllsvenskan. He tallied just one point for MoDo at the SHL level (0-1=1) in 29 games while rarely playing more than six minutes per game.
Early in the season, he had played eight games at the J20 level for MoDo and scored eight points (4-4=8). The majority of the second half of his season was spent with Ostersunds IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, where he found his footing in an increased role against grown men and scored 19 points (9-10=19) in 26 games.
Aug 3, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; Finland's forward Sebastian Soini (12) defends against Sweden's forward Lucas Pettersson (11) during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn ImagesRemain in Sweden
The confluence of his performance at the HockeyAllsvenskan level and his club’s relegation from the SHL leaves questions about where he could play next season in 2025-26.
He could remain in Sweden and play another year in HockeyAllsvenskan for MoDo, a division he might be outgrowing.
Play in the Ducks Organization
He could make the transition to North America and have two (or even three) options in front of him. The unlikeliest is that he signs his ELC and performs well enough in Ducks training camp to earn a spot on the NHL roster. If the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks AHL affiliate, need center depth, he could play the 2025-26 season in close proximity and about 90 miles south of Honda Center.
Head to the CHL
If the Ducks organization doesn’t deem him ready for professional hockey in North America, he could play in the CHL next season. He was drafted by the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL in the second round of the 2024 CHL Import Draft (116th overall).
As opposed to the professional levels, the CHL would allow Pettersson to explore the limits of his offensive game. He is already well-lauded for his detail and two-way prowess, often compared to Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson. He possesses enough offensive tools like above-average mobility, puck skills, and change-of-pace vision to provide true offensive impact at the NHL level.
Taking the time and putting forth the effort into developing and translating those skills to the North American pro-style game could elevate Pettersson’s ultimate potential and even mold him into a significant piece of the Ducks' core moving forward.
The “win at all costs” ideals of professional hockey aren’t always conducive or ideal for growing and refining the offensive talents of teenage players. Pettersson is at a critical point in his ultimate progression, and it will be curious to monitor how the Ducks organization manages the young centerman.
