St. Louis Blues Prospect Otto Stenberg Heads to North America After Malmö Loan Termination
Blues’ 2023 First-Round Pick Ends SHL Stint with Malmö Redhawks to Accelerate Development in North America
The Malmö Redhawks announced today that Otto Stenberg, one of three 2023 first-round picks, was drafted 25th overall. Stenberg will make the jump to North America following the early termination of his loan agreement with the Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
In a statement released by the Redhawks, Malmö acknowledged the decision to end Stenberg’s loan, citing a request from St. Louis to facilitate the player’s transition across the Atlantic. Malmö’s sports director, Oscar Alsenfelt, expressed disappointment at losing the talented forward but supported the decision:
“Otto comes from a strong Junior World Championship, and we of course had hopes that he would come back to us with high energy and take further steps during the rest of the season. Now St. Louis and Otto have instead concluded that his development is best served by moving to North America now, and we do not think it is in our interest to try to force players to stay with us. We wish him the best of luck in his continued career.”
During his time with Malmö this season, the 19-year-old registered three goals and three assists across 25 SHL games, navigating the challenges of competing in one of Europe’s top professional leagues. However, his time with the club resulted in limited opportunities to play meaningful minutes, and instead, the young forward was relegated to bottom-six deployment.
While his numbers in the SHL may not leap off the page, his performance at the U20 World Junior Championships underscored his immense potential. Representing Sweden, Stenberg tallied three goals and five assists in seven games, demonstrating his skill and ability to produce against elite competition.
A Crucial Development Step
The move to North America marks a pivotal point in Stenberg’s development. For young players like Stenberg, transitioning to the North American style of play—emphasizing tighter spaces, physicality, and faster decision-making—is necessary for NHL readiness.
The Blues made a similar decision and path with the 2023 10th overall selection, Dalibor Dvorsky, when they moved him from the SHL to the CHL after little to no ice time was being awarded to the young forward. Dvorsky is currently playing with the club’s AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Why Stenberg Matters to the Blues’ Future
Drafted as a versatile forward with a high hockey IQ and dynamic offensive skill, Stenberg is a key piece of the Blues’ prospect pipeline. Known for his playmaking ability and relentless work ethic, he projects as a future top-six forward who can drive possession and excel in all situations. His performance at the World Juniors bolstered those expectations, showcasing his ability to thrive on the international stage.
With Stenberg now under closer watch in North America, the Blues will have greater control over his development and can ensure he’s on the right track to contribute at the NHL level in the coming years.
The organization and its fans have plenty of reason to be excited as the young Swede begins the next chapter of his promising career.
Related Article: A Bright Future: The St. Louis Blues’ Top-10 Prospects