Islanders 2012 Draft Central - Olli Maatta and Ludvig Bystrom

In the days leading up to the NHL Draft, newyorkislanders.com will break down the top 50 eligible prospects

Tuesday, 06.12.2012 / 12:00 AM / Islanders 2012 Draft Central

By Travis Betts

Olli Maatta
London Knights, OHL

Position:	D	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'2"	Born:	22-Aug-94
Weight:	202	Hometown:	Jyvaskyla, FIN

2011-12	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
London	58	5	27	32	25

Ludvig Bystrom
Modo Hockey, SEL (Sweden)

Position:	D	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'1"	Born:	20-Jul-94
Weight:	187	Hometown:	Ornskoldsvik, SWE

2011-12	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
Modo (SEL)	20	0	1	1	8
Modo (Jr.)	34	7	22	29	101

Olli Maatta put up 32 points and a plus-25 rating in 58 games with the OHL Champion London Knights in 2011-12, his first season in North America. However, many scouts believe the Jyvaskyla, Finland native’s biggest asset may be his play in his own end of the rink. Maatta was selected No. 1 overall by the Knights in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, and represented Finland at the 2012 World Junior Championships before suffering a concussion in the first game of the tournament. The 6’2”, 202-pound defenseman produced more offense when it mattered most, tying for the team lead with 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 19 postseason games.

Ludvig Bystrom split the 2011-12 season between Modo’s Under-20 team and its senior team, playing 54 games overall. The Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native also suited up for his home country in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Jr. A Challenge and Under-18 World Junior Championships. Bystrom’s skating, passing, defensive play and ability to win 50/50 battles has many scouts impressed, but the 6’1”, 187-pound defenseman is more of a project player who probably won’t be ready for the NHL for a couple of years.

Ryan Strome, Islanders first round pick in 2011
Olli Maatta had a good stretch there at the end when [London] knocked us out of the playoffs. He’s really good with the puck, a good skater and likes to jump up in the rush. He played well against us and he burned us a few times.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Olli Maatta is a decent sized, mobile, puck-moving defenseman. He sees and reads the game fairly well.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Ludvig Bystrom is a skilled, efficient passing defender. He skates well and is usually in good position in his own end of the rink.

Click here for Islanders 2012 Draft Central's breakdown of the top-50 players available in this year's draft.

Olli Maatta (left) of the London Knights and Ludvig Bystrom (right)
of Modo are the #20 and #19 ranked draft prospects.

Edmonton Oilers
2.

Columbus Blue Jackets
3.

Montreal Canadiens
4.

New York Islanders
5.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Round 1 - 4th overall
Round 2 - 34th overall
Round 3 - 65th overall
Round 4 - 103rd overall (from BUF)
Round 5 - 125th overall
Round 6 - 155th overall
Round 7 - 185th overall

Islanders last five first-round picks
2011: Ryan Strome (5th overall)
2010: Nino Niederreiter (5th overall)
2009: John Tavares (1st overall)
2008: Josh Bailey (9th overall)
2006: Kyle Okposo (7th overall)

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