Mans Gudmundsson – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Mans Gudmundsson

2025-26 Team: Farjestad BK (U18/U20 Nationell)
Date of Birth: June 9, 2008
Place of Birth: Skövde, SWE
Ht: 6-foot-3 Wt: 190 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

Mans Gudmundsson is a defenseman in the Swedish junior hockey system. He has played with Farjestad BK at multiple levels, including U18 Regional, U18 Nationell, U20 Nationell, and in the Swedish Hockey League. Most of his time this past season was spent with the U20 Nationell team. He is a puck-moving blueliner and playmaker.

He skates well and makes impressive defensive plays as well as skates with an offensive mindset. He looks for rebounds and effectively sets up plays for his higher-scoring teammates. He can also lead a power play with consistency and often helps his team find success with a man-advantage.

This season in the Farjestad organization, he played 40 games and totaled 31 regular-season points (two goals, 29 assists). He also helped both the U18 and U20 Nationell teams in their playoff runs, totaling 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in 10 games in the postseason. His ability to play at both ends of the ice is part of what makes him so dangerous. He is also coachable and learns quickly, so he could shape up to be a talented bottom-pair defenseman in the NHL.

Gudmundsson shone at the international level this season, too. Across all international games, including the World Junior A Challenge, he notched seven points (two goals, five assists) in 13 games. His two-way game makes him a valuable defenseman who will make a noticeable impact on any team that takes him.

Mans Gudmundsson – NHL Draft Projection

The defenseman is projected to be drafted late in the third round or early in the fourth round, and consistently appears among the top 100 prospects. In a mock draft put on by Tankathon, Gudmundsson went 90th overall to the Montreal Canadiens. He will need to be drafted to a team looking to bulk up their pipeline and develop talent that will not be NHL-ready for a few more seasons. He will need further development time with junior or minor-league teams to build his strength and physicality before he is ready to join the back end of an NHL team.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Quotables

“Mans Gudmundsson is an offensive defenseman with good reach and puck movement… Gudmundsson joined plays with skating, is active on the blueline, and aimed for rebounds throughout the game which made him a threat all night long. His length, offensive mind, high ice-time and ability to quarterback a powerplay is what makes Gudmundsson so dangerous.” – NeutralZone

“Good size and skating ability. Moves the puck well in transition. A steady, reliable defender who could develop into a depth NHL player.” – Hockey Mock Draft

Strengths

• Reliable playmaking
• Shows consistent improvement
• Solid puck mover
• Offensively-minded defenseman

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

• Needs to bulk up and develop physicality
• Needs to improve shooting accuracy and scoring

NHL Potential

Gudmundsson will likely be a valued bottom-pair defenseman for his NHL team after another season or two of development. With his ability to lead power plays and a few postseason runs under his belt, he would make a great addition to an American Hockey League club to aid in his development. Once he can bulk up, infuse some physicality into his game, and build his confidence, he will be a cornerstone to any team’s defense.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk – 4/5, Reward – 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense- 6/10 Defense- 8/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2024 U17 World Hockey Championship Bronze Medal
• 2025 World Junior A Challenge Bronze Medal

Interviews/Links

Mans Gudmundsson Stats