Viktor Lodin Could Return To The NHL Next Season
Viktor Lodin’s first stint in North America came and went with little fanfare. However, now that he’s having a strong season back home in Sweden, a return could be back on the radar. Aftonbladet’s Tomas Ros and Hans Abrahamsson report (subscription link) that there are multiple NHL teams (including the Blues and Red Wings) believed to be scouting the forward and that Lodin could look to take another crack at the NHL next season.
The 25-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Ottawa back in 2019, going 94th overall. After spending the first season of his entry-level deal with SHL Timra, Lodin came to North America late in the year, getting into one appearance with the big club and ten more with AHL Belleville where he impressed with eight points. That seemed to position himself to push for an NHL roster spot for 2022-23.
That didn’t happen, however. Lodin was limited to just 28 games with Belleville that year and while he held his own with 15 points in those outings, the Senators elected to walk away at the end of the season, non-tendering him instead of issuing a qualifying offer.
Lodin returned to Sweden last season, spending the year with IK Oskarshamn where he fared well with 11 goals and 20 assists in 40 games. However, that team was relegated for this season so Lodin moved on to Farjestad for this year and his production has improved. Through 31 outings in 2024-25, he has 12 goals and 21 assists, good for a tie for second in SHL scoring.
Because Lodin already had his entry-level contract, there are no more restrictions on what type of deal he can sign. With the year he’s having, it’s possible that he could command a strong two-way deal or even a one-way pact which makes him someone to keep an eye on when the international transfer window opens up in the spring. If Lodin doesn’t get an offer to his liking, he can fall back on the security of his current deal with Farjestad, one that runs through the 2028-29 season.
Atlantic Notes: Lomberg, Ostlund, Lodin
Panthers winger Ryan Lomberg has resumed skating as he works his way back from an upper-body injury, relays David Dwork of WPLG Local 10 (Twitter link). The 28-year-old was injured in the playoff opener against Boston but suited up in three more games before being shut down for the fifth game of that series. Lomberg, who had a career year during the regular season with 12 goals and 20 points in 82 games, is still listed as week-to-week so it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to suit up during their second-round series against Toronto.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic:
- While Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund was recently re-assigned to AHL Rochester, he won’t be suiting up for them in the playoffs due to a foot injury, notes Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News. The 19-year-old was the 16th overall pick last year and had a good season with Djurgardens of the Swedish Allsvenskan, collecting 26 points in 37 games. Lysowski adds that Buffalo would like Ostlund to play with the Americans next year but are open to the idea of him playing at home for one more season if that’s his preference.
- Viktor Lodin’s recently rumored deal with Oskarshamn in Sweden is now official, per a team release. The Senators prospect had 15 points in 28 games with AHL Belleville this season while making his NHL debut at the end of the 2021-22 campaign. It’s a two-year agreement for the 23-year-old, meaning he’ll still be RFA-eligible at its expiration. Accordingly, it’s likely that Ottawa will still tender the forward a qualifying offer next month, allowing them to retain his NHL rights in case Lodin’s production takes off in the SHL.