Oliver Kylington
Position: Defense
Current Team: AIK (Allsvenskan)
Date of Birth: May 19, 1997
Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs
Shoots: Left
Going into this past season, Kylington was considered a top-five pick, and was at the top of Central Scouting’s midterm ranking of European skaters. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury before Christmas and was unable to take part in the World Juniors, which would have been a terrific opportunity to see him play against the best players in his peer group.
Couple that with a demotion from Farjestad in Sweden’s top league to AIK in the Allsvenskan, and Kylington experienced a drop in his draft stock. He’s currently ranked as the sixth European skater by Central Scouting.
He’s a pure offensive defenseman, with excellent skating and puck-moving. When he’s at his best he’s been compared to Erik Karlsson, but that may be a bit of a stretch. He’ll be a powerplay specialist in the pros.
Scouting Reports
A smart two-way defenseman, who has tremendous feeling for the game and reads the plays well. Oliver Kylington is only average sized, but lets you forget the missing inches with his hockey sense, his strong vision and remarkable skating abilities. Owns a good shot from the blue-line and combined with this very good puck- and passing-skills, he can guide a power-play and the team’s offensive game to success. – Elite Prospects
Clearly one of the top end elite skaters and puck movers in the class. Has the ability to play in tight space and control the puck and play. Plays like he knows he has more ability than the rest of the ice, and is poised and composed in all phases when he gets a puck in his end. He is able to work out with smart passes or carry the mail with top acceleration. Good in his one end, and although not overly big framed, he have the stamina to fight through the rough going and excel. A member of his homeland’s team roster for the World Junior Under-20 at Christmas 2014. – Draft Site
A Good Fit in Columbus?
He’ll likely be taken in the bottom half of the first round, meaning unless the Jackets make a deal to get back in the first round, he won’t fall in their range. He’s also lacking the polish of many other blueliners available in the first round. If he does somehow slip to the second round, the Jackets would scoop him up with one of their multiple selections in round two.
He’s a hard player to gauge, especially with his fall in the rankings. There may be teams with multiple first rounders who’d be willing to take a flyer on him. In the right situation (looking at you Detroit) he can excel in the NHL.
Kylington in Action