No. 13 Mattias Havelid: A smaller defenseman with elite passing skill

The past two draft classes (2023 and 2022) are starting to become a large factor in our 25 San Jose Sharks players under the age of 25 rankings. That’s good news for a team that’s obviously in a rebuild even if the dreaded R-word isn’t uttered in the halls of the Shark Tank. One of those draftees, Mattias Havelid, comes in at 13 on this year’s list.

Position: Defense
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 165 lbs.
Age: 19
Date of Birth: January 1, 2004
Draft Year: 2022, 45th overall by the San Jose Sharks
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Linköping HC (SHL)

Much like number 19 on our list, Luca Cagnoni, Havelid is a smaller defenseman with impressive offensive upside. Better yet, we know he fits in with what General Manager Mike Grier is looking for as he rebuilds the team because he was part of the 2022 draft class, a draft that Grier oversaw during his first few weeks with the Sharks.

Havelid didn’t have the easiest season post-draft. In September 2022, he injured his back and while he tried to play for his team in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in October, it didn’t work. He was out until the start of 2023 and missed representing Team Sweden at the 2023 World Juniors. When he returned to Linköping HC, he played 25 games. In those games, he had 6 points (4 G, 2 A).

“Came back right after the New Year’s break and felt great. I think I performed good after. Felt good. My game wasn’t on point at the start but I felt like I picked it up pretty quick. So it was a pretty bad season for me, but at the end of it, I’m pretty happy,” Havelid told Josh Frojelin of San Jose Hockey Now.

Havelid says he is fully recovered and ready to start fresh with Linköping HC.

What we like

To be a small defenseman taken high in any NHL draft, you have to have a strong toolkit of skills. Havelid has that. He is a speedy skater with elite passing skill according to Elite Prospects.

“His passing is elite; he is calm with the puck and makes a good play almost every time he has the puck. The hard and precise,” wrote Elite Prospects in its 2022 draft guide.

The Sharks’ prospect pool is getting deeper at the defense position, but many of the players are defensive defensemen, meaning they are not explosive out of their own zone and they’re not likely to factor into the scoring on a nightly basis.

Then there’s Havelid, who has the ability to create chances. His speed helps him move the puck quickly out of his own end. His passing skills find the forwards breaking out of the zone without missing a stride. The Sharks are in desperate need of players who can fuel San Jose’s rush into the opponent’s zone and Havelid offers that opportunity.

While he may not score a boatload of points in the NHL, he has the ability to drive the play in the right direction and create scoring chances for the Sharks.

Areas of improvement

If Havelid is going to succeed in the NHL, he needs to bulk up. Defenders can get smothered by another team’s forecheck. His elusive skating ability and intelligent stickhandling will help him avoid many sticky situations, but he will get hit.

Part of that growth comes with age. In a few years, he’ll be able to keep some of that weight on and add more muscle. While at 19, he likely won’t get any taller, he should be able to add some weight to help him hold his own in the corners.

Given that his first full season playing professional hockey in Sweden was cut short, we’ll also be looking for Havelid to take that next step in his development. He’ll have to get used to playing against players who have played professionally for several years. They understand the game better and think and move at a higher level. This is Havelid’s year to show that he can not only play the same level as these men, but also outplay them.

If all goes well, perhaps we will see him and fellow countryman Filip Bystedt come over to the Barracuda together next season.

Highlights

There aren’t a lot of highlights featuring Havelid given his injury, but why not take a look at his first career professional goal.

Earlier today, #SJSharks prospect Mattias Havelid (#4) scored his first career SHL goal in his third game back from injury. https://t.co/uh7pn9nmaD

— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) January 8, 2023