Last year, former Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Filip Hållander compiled his best season as a professional in the SHL.
At the 2018 Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sweden native Filip Hållander with the 58th pick in the second round. He made his NHL debut in 2021-22, appearing in one game before dressing for two the following season.
During his time in North America, Hållander was regulated to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League, where he played 104 games, scoring 25 goals and 61 points.
Unable to crack the Pittsburgh lineup, he returned to Sweden and was signed by Timrå IK on a five-year deal.
In his first season back in the SHL since 2020-21, Hållander played in 51 games and netted 36 points thanks to 14 goals and 22 assists. He led Timrå IK in scoring, three points more than Robin Hanzl (33 points) and six over Emil Pettersson (30).
Having played with Timrå IK and Luleå HF between 2018 and 2021, he never scored more than 30 points in the league, so upon returning home, he had his best season as a professional.
Even though Hållander has four seasons left on his deal with Timrå IK, he'll be a player worth keeping tabs on if he decides to pursue a career in the NHL again someday.
At only 24, Hållander would be 28 at the end of his current contract and could be a depth forward signing who plays both center and left wing.
The Penguins' dynamics will be different in four seasons, and a reunion with the club is not out of the question.