Kristofer Ottosson

2005-06 Update: Kristofer Ottosson recently turned 30 in January. The days of the Islanders courting Ottosson to come over to North America most likely have ended. He's pretty much become a lifer for Djurgardens. He is currently playing his 11th year in their organization in the SEL. He's seen some Islander players come and go like Mariusz Czerkawski and most recently, Robert Nilsson. His last good season with Djurgardens came in 2002-03 when he tallied 38 points in 46 games. Since then he hasn't reached the 20 point mark in a season. in 373 career games in the SEL Ottosson has gone 92-94-186 with 118 PIM's. He's never been invited to represent Sweden in the Olympics and participated in the World Championships once in 2001.

Video: Ottosson interview ( 1kb, 1:54 secs, .asx - interview is in Swedish )

Scouted by Andurs Kallur, the Islander director of European scouting. Ottosson was the Swedish Elite Leagues top goal scorer with 25 in 1999-00. He played on the top line for the league champion Djurgardens IF. Not the biggest player but has very quick feet and he gives himself room to make plays. The Islanders project Ottosson as a playmaker and were planning on bringing Ottosson over to North America after the 2000-01 season. They did not sign him by the July 15th, 2001 deadline for European born draft picks to play in the upcoming season. So Kristofer will remain in Sweden for the 2001-02 season.

Along with his 41 point totals in 2000-01, Ottosson added 6 powerplay goals, 5 game winning goals and was a +19. In the playoffs he scored 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points in 14 games played. Played a major role in Team Sweden's bronze medal effort at the 2001 World Championships. He finished second on the team in scoring. Ottosson led Djurgardens in assists and points in 2000-01 and placed ninth in league scoring. Added a team leading 5 game winning goals. Scored a team leading 7 playoff goals even after missing two games. Wears number 9 in Sweden.

From Eliteprospects.com

Kristofer Ottosson came from nowhere and had a tremendous season in 99-00. He had impressive 25 goals (2nd overall) in 47 regular season games. His season did not only impress people in Sweden but the NY Islanders as well... and so they drafted him in the 5th round 2000.
Ottosson is pretty good overall, he is a sniper and he reads the game well. But he is a little bit soft at times along the boards and in front of the net.

Sporting News, Ray Slover....5/8/01

"The Islanders are pleased with the play of prospect Kristofer Ottosson, a winger who has put up solid numbers for Sweden. Like Orszagh, Ottosson isn't big -- he's 5-10, 187 pounds -- but he is 24 and has a knack for scoring. He's aggressive and a strong skater. Ottosson was the Islanders' fifth-round pick in 2000, taken 148th overall."


2001-02 Update:

Ottosson performed well in the 2001 World Championships but was not invited to play for the 2002 Swedish team after his offensive totals in 2001-02 were only half of what he put up in the 2000-01 season. The Islanders tried to bring him over for the 2001-02 season, but it does not seem that Ottosson desires to come to North America.

2002-03 Update:

Finished 10th in overall scoring in the Swedish Elite League. He posted a team-leading 19 goals, was third on his team with 19 assists and posted a team-high 38 points in 46 games. He posted four powerplay goals, a team-high two shorthanded tallies, a team-leading six game-winning goals and 30 penalty minutes to go with a +5 rating. In the postseason, he has one goal and five points in 12 games with an even rating.

Kristofer Ottosson has been one of the best point-producers in Sweden the past three seasons - regarded as the top talent circuit outside of North America. He's not a youngster, but regardless, he oozes tons of offensive capability. Ottosson sees the ice extremely well and is a scoring threat each time he has the puck.

Said Isles' European Scout Anders Kallur: "He's not the biggest player [5-10, 187], but he has a very quick first couple of steps that gives him room to make plays. He had a breakout season in 2001 and put up some great numbers. He's continued to do that and is a top level prospect. I think in the long term, he'll end up being more of a playmaker."

From Newsday's Alan Hahn, 2/24/03

"Regarding Euro prospects folks, keep an eye on 26-year-old lefty-shooting right wing Kristofer Ottosson, who is playing in the Swedish Elite League right now but might be in an Islanders uniform by next season. Ottosson was a fifth-rounder in the 2000 draft."

islesinfo: Ottosson rebounded back to form in 2002-03 with 38 points in 46 games for Djurgardens IF in the SEL after finishing with only 21 points in 41 games in 2001-02. He has turned down an opportunity and invitation to join the Islanders in each of the last two summers. The Islanders will surely try again to bring Ottosson over for the 2003-04 season. Surprisingly he did not play for Team Sweden at the 2003 World Championships. Apparently he had suffered some bumps and bruises down the stretch for Djurgardens.

Links to pictures:

Aftonbladet article(in Swedish)
Sportal picture and article(in Swedish)
Great pic of Ottosson getting tripped up

Videos:

Below is a link to an October 10, 2002 game between Djurgardens and Malmo of the SEL. Djurgardens would go on to win 4-1 thanks to 2 goals and an assist by Ottosson. Djurgarden took a 3-0 lead and Ottosson almost has the natural hat trick as he blasted a shot for the third goal, but it was ruled tipped in by another player. This is a really good video because the lone goal scored by Malmo is by Franz Nielsen. The video is provided by svt.se. The highlights are in Swedish. Format RealPlayer. Very cool!

Ottosson/Nielsen

This next video is from an October 20, 2002 game between Djurgardens and Linkoping. Djurgardens won the game 2-0 and Ottosson opened it up with a penalty shot goal. He is interviewed at the end of the clip. Once again it's in Swedish. For those that don't understand, it's still a good look at the player.

Ottosson PS

This video is from an October 31, 2002 game between Djurgardens and Frolunda. Ottosson would break a 2-2 tie with two third period goals, one an empty netter, to win it for Djurgardens 4-2. Both goals by Frolunda were scored by former Islander Niklas Andersson.

Ottosson/Andersson