The 2024-25 season wasn't anything to write about for Florida Panthers' top prospect Linus Eriksson, but a bounce-back season could be in order. 

Eriksson, 19, is a 6-foot, 190-pound left-handed center with strong playmaking instincts and a responsible two-way game. He split his season with Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second division and Timrå IK in the SHL, Sweden's top division. 

With each team, Eriksson played 18 games, recording one goal and four points with Djurgårdens IF and one goal and two points with Timrå IK. Although his offensive numbers weren't eye-catching, many scouts who watched Eriksson consistently raved about his defensive game.

When playing with Sweden at the 2025 World Juniors, Eriksson recorded two goals in seven games, serving in a bottom-six role. He's eligible once again for this year's tournament and is expected to play a more impactful role. 

Age, experience and another offseason to train will bode well for the Stockholm, SWE native, but a year of consistency should contribute to an improved season. After his loan spell with Timrå IK, Eriksson is expected to play the 2025-26 season with the club, moving away from Djurgårdens IF, with whom he has played at every level. He'll have better knowledge of what the coaching staff expects of him and improved chemistry with his teammates, which could increase offensive production. 

Eriksson has many of the traits the Panthers organization loves from their centers. He is eager to win the puck back, strong in his battles around the boards and possesses excellent leadership qualities. 

Anton Lundell and Aleksander Barkov were higher picks than Eriksson and had better production when they were younger, but they are the mould Eriksson should base his game off of.

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