Thirty picks after they drafted Alex Galchenyuk, the Habs were still able to land one of the premier offensive talents available in the 2012 draft in the person of slender Swedish winger Sebastian Collberg. Partially due to a big run on defensemen, and partially due to some size concerns for the 5-11, 180 pounder, Collberg remained on the board far beyond his projected mid first round draft value. Trevor Timmons and company were more than happy to end that fall early in round two. Gifted with good speed, an exceptional shot, and superior hockey sense, Sebastian was a prolific scorer in the Swedish junior ranks. At the WJC he was the top scoring 17 year old in the tournament, and one of the top scorers for Team Sweden, the eventual gold medal winners.
A slight concern was the fact that Collberg, while he spent a full season with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League, saw little ice time there and was held without a point at that level for the entire season. But that was more a product of opportunity, youth, and lack of physical maturity. Observers saw Sebastian grow appreciably just within the past few months, and he tested well at the Combine. That will be an ongoing process, but if he adds ten or fifteen pounds over the next couple of seasons, (and hopefully an inch or two), he will be adequately sized for the NHL.
All the other elements appear to be there. Rare offensive skill, a solid work ethic, and level headed intelligence on and off the ice. It doesn't hurt that he looks every bit the part of a young Quebecois hockey starlet, and goes by the first name of Sebastian.
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