Prospect Update: Eric Nilson

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted forward Eric Nilson in the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, 45th overall. After playing in Europe for his entire career, Nilson came to North America to play for Michigan State University this past season. He also suited up for Team Sweden at the World Juniors.

In his freshman season, Nilson scored three goals and 11 points in 35 games for Michigan State. He scored a goal in his third game of the season, but Nilson’s offense was sporadic in his first season of college hockey. He did have a three-game point streak in January, his longest streak of the season. But he also had multiple game streaks where he was held pointless, including his last five games of the season. Despite the less than stellar offensive numbers, Nilson still played solid hockey as a freshman. He was used in a middle-six role, and his focus was more on the defensive end of the ice.

At the World Juniors, Nilson played in all seven games for Sweden and scored a goal and three points, helping Sweden win the gold medal for the first time since 2012 and third time ever. He was used up and down the lineup, including some time on the team’s top line. His best offensive output came against Switzerland, where he scored a goal and two points. This was Nilson’s first trip to the World Juniors, and he’s eligible to return next year.

Nilson is a strong, two-way center. He’s a good, smart athlete who plays well at both ends of the rink. He can play on both the powerplay and penalty kill units but will need to get stronger if he wants to play in the NHL. He does a lot of little things on the ice well that don’t always translate onto the scoresheet, but Nilson is the type of player whose game can absolutely translate to the NHL someday.

Nilson should be back at Michigan State University this coming season. As a sophomore, more will be expected out of him, and I have a few expectations for him. First, for him to put up much better offensive numbers than he did in his freshman year. Second, for him to play for Sweden at the World Juniors again. Finally, for him to have a bigger impact at the World Juniors than he did this past season.

Nilson is still a number of years away from the NHL. He’s probably going to spend at least two more years playing college hockey, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed there for three years. Nilson will then go to the AHL for at least a season or two, so the earliest we could see him in the NHL is the 2029-2030 season, and quite possibly later.

Nilson is currently unsigned, and the Ducks control his rights until summer 2029. Nilson is one of Anaheim’s better prospects; I even had him as one of their top 10 prospects last fall. As long as Nilson plays well in the NCAA over the next few years, I’m confident he’ll be signed to a standard entry-level contract well before his rights expire.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman Darels Uljanskis.

Related Articles:

Prospect Profile: Cruz Lucius

Prospect Update: Alexis Mathieu

Prospect Update: Ethan Procyszyn

Prospect Update: Austin Burnevik

Prospect Update: Noah Read

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September 3rd, 2026