Deep Dive by the Numbers: Otto Stenberg

From Sweden to Springfield, the Blues’ 2023 first-round pick is entering a pivotal stage in his development.

Otto Stenberg’s last two seasons have taken him through the Swedish hockey system, into international competition, and across the Atlantic to the AHL—all before his 20th birthday. The former first-round pick has faced tough minutes, earned expanded roles, and shown flashes of the offensive creativity that made him a high-end draft prospect. With updated data in hand from 2023–24 and 2024–25, it’s time to re-evaluate his trajectory—by the numbers.

Development Curve

Stenberg’s 2023–24 season with Frölunda HC was his first full campaign in the SHL, where he posted just six points in 31 games. While modest on the surface, that stat line suggests his deployment more than his ability.

Frölunda is a veteran-heavy organization that tends to limit ice time for teenagers, particularly in offensive situations. Stenberg was buried in a bottom-six role with limited power play exposure. However, his loan to Västerås IK in HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden’s second-tier league) showed what he could do with more opportunity: nine points in nine regular-season games and seven more in a deep playoff run, including five goals. He was a top-six contributor there and looked more dynamic with the puck.

Otto Stenberg | Photo Credit: Jens Carlsson / Bildbyrån

On the international stage, he was just as productive. In 2023–24, he recorded 16 points in 16 games for Sweden’s U20 team and led the way at the World Juniors with nine points in seven games. His performance at that tournament cemented his reputation as a creative forward capable of stepping up under pressure.

Heading into 2024–25, Stenberg remained in the SHL and was loaned to the Malmö Redhawks, a lower-tier SHL team more inclined to play younger talent. The hope was that a larger role might yield a breakout. While he again produced six points, this time in 25 games, the context was different.

As the season progressed, Stenberg continued to see bottom-six minutes and a lesser role with the team. His lack of offensive growth—and a -7 rating—suggested that his SHL development had plateaued. Rather than regress, the Blues moved him to North America midseason after the World Juniors tournament.

Once again, Stenberg thrived on the international stage. This past season, he delivered 21 points in 18 games for Sweden’s U20 team and added eight more points in seven games at the World Juniors. His assist totals jumped, signaling further growth as a playmaker.

In North America, his time with the Springfield Thunderbirds showed encouraging signs. Stenberg posted 17 points in 38 games, including 12 assists, and finished with a +5 rating. While he didn’t register a point in the AHL playoffs, he held his spot in the lineup and adapted quickly to the North American pace and structure. This wasn’t just a scenery change—it was a developmental pivot.