Sportsvival continues to dig hard into the 2026 NHL Draft class, and Viggo Bjorck is one of the most intriguing forwards on the board. He is not the biggest player in this class, but his pace, skill, brain, and ability to impact high-level games keep pushing him higher in the conversation. Between his SHL minutes with Djurgårdens IF and his huge showing for Sweden at the 2026 World Juniors, Bjorck has looked every bit like a legitimate first-round talent.
Player Snapshot
Viggo Bjorck is a right-shot center/right wing from Stockholm, Sweden. He was born on March 12, 2008, is listed at 177 cm (5-foot-10) and 78 kg (172 pounds), and is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Djurgården’s official profile and Elite Prospects both list him as a right shot, and Elite Prospects classifies him as a C/RW.
2025-26 Production
Bjorck’s numbers this season helped confirm that he is more than just a flashy skill player. He posted 6 goals and 15 points in 42 SHL regular-season games, added 3 points in his first 3 SHL playoff games, and produced 9 points in 7 games for Sweden at the 2026 World Juniors. He also continued to dominate junior competition when used there, putting up 5 points in 4 U20 Nationell games and 12 points in 5 playoff games.
Background
Bjorck’s rise has been building for a while. Before this season, he exploded for 74 points in 42 U20 Nationell games in 2024-25, produced 8 points in 7 games for Sweden at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, and earned bigger opportunities against older competition. That progression matters because it shows a player who has consistently handled accelerated development and tougher assignments.
Strengths
The first thing that jumps off the page with Bjorck is how intelligent he is with the puck. His game is built on timing, deception, tight-area skill, and an ability to make quick reads under pressure. NHL Central Scouting praised his skating, creativity, hockey IQ, puck movement, spatial awareness, and quick release, while NHL.com also highlighted how effective he is in tight quarters and how reliably he makes the right play.
He also plays a more complete game than some smaller skill forwards. Sportsnet’s January ranking notes pointed to his ability to match up against good players, kill penalties, play through traffic, and contribute as both a shooter and play driver. Central Scouting likewise described him as a valuable all-situations forward because of his energy, forechecking, and two-way commitment.
Another plus is that Bjorck has already shown he can handle big moments. His 9-point World Juniors helped Sweden win gold, and multiple outlets noted that event as a major reason his draft stock climbed. When a draft-eligible forward is not just surviving but producing in that setting, NHL teams take notice in a hurry.
Areas to Improve
The obvious question is size. At 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, Bjorck does not bring ideal NHL frame, so evaluators will want to see him continue getting stronger and proving he can consistently win through contact against heavier pro defenders. That concern has followed him even as his stock has risen.
There is also still room for him to become more dangerous as a pure finisher. The playmaking, pace, and competitiveness are easy to like, but if he turns into more of a constant scoring threat off the rush and off the half wall, that could push him even higher on draft boards. His skill level is there; the next step is sustaining that offensive pressure every night against the best competition. This is an inference based on his current profile and production versus stronger pro competition.
NHL Comparison
Stylistically, Bjorck gives off some Lucas Raymond vibes. It is not a claim that he will become that level of NHL player, but there are similarities in the way he attacks with pace, skill, touch, and intelligence, and in how he can create offense without needing to overpower defenders physically.
Draft Outlook
Bjorck looks like a first-round player, and there is a real argument that he belongs comfortably in the top 10 discussion. NHL Central Scouting had him fifth among international skaters at midterm, and Elite Prospects’ consolidated ranking placed him sixth. The consensus now is that he is no longer a fringe first-round name — he is one of the better European forwards in the class.
Sportsvival Final Take
Viggo Bjorck is the kind of forward NHL teams love to bet on in the modern game. He is smart, slippery, competitive, creative, and already proving he can produce against older players and on big international stages. The size will always be part of the discussion, but his brain, skating, and skill package give him a strong chance to hear his name called early in the first round.