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33. Kent Nilsson

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Should someone compile a list of the best all-time hockey players from Sweden, Kent Nilsson often gets left out. Nilsson was a largely forgotten international star whose professional path may have made him the forgotten man. After a few years lighting up the Swedish league, Nilsson joined the WHA and the Winnipeg Jets, where he was instantly among that organization’s elite. Following the merger of the WHA and NHL, Nilsson joined the Flames, where, in the 1980-81 season, he had a career-high 131 points. This remains the record of both a Swedish-born player and a member of the Calgary Flames.

Nilsson continued to average well over a point per game, but by 1987, he grew homesick and returned to Europe to star in various leagues there. It should be remembered that Kent Nilsson played hockey in Europe because he wanted to, rather than being unable to cut it in North America. He indeed could have remained a high-point producer in the NHL. Kent Nilsson is currently in the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame, though the odds of him entering the Toronto-based version seem much dimmer than they should be.

 

Should Kent Nilsson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 91.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2%
No opinion. - 0.2%
No way! - 1.8%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Nynashamn, Sweden
  • Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 1990
  • Position: Center
  • Games Played: 553 (158 WHA)
  • Notable Statistics:

    264 Goals (81 WHA)
    422 Assists (133 WHA)
    686 Points (214 WHA)
    +28 Plus/Minus (-25 WHA)
    116 PIM (16 WHA)
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*
    52.2 Point Shares**

    59 Playoff Games (19 WHA)
    11 Goals (5 WHA)
    41 Assists (19 WHA)
    52 Points (24 WHA)
    +1 Plus/Minus (+1 WHA)
    14 PIM (14 PIM)
    N/A Blocked Shots*
    N/A Hits*
    N/A Takeaways*
    N/A Giveaways*

    *These stats were first implemented in the 2007/08 Season.
    **Point Shares are not calculated in WHA Games.
  • Played For: Atlanta Flames, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota North Stars
  • Non-NHL Teams: Winnipeg Jets (WHA)
    Team Sweden (Canada Cup 1981, 1984 & 1987 World Hockey Championship 1985, 1989 & 1990; World Junior Hockey Championship 1975 & 1976)
    Djurgarden IF (Swedish League)
    AIK (Swedish League)
    HC Bolzano (Italian League)
    SC Langnau (Swiss League)
    EHC Kloten (Swiss League)
    EC Graz (Austrian League)
    CH Majadahonda (Spanish League)
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Stanley Cup Ring (1) (Edmonton Oilers, 1987)
    NHL All-Star (2) (1980 & 1981)
    WHA Lou Kaplan Trophy (1978)
    WHA Paul Daneau Trophy (1) (1979)
    World Hockey Championship Silver Medal (1) (Sweden, 1990)
    World Junior Hockey Championship Bronze Medal (Sweden, 1975)
  • Notable Top Ten Finishes: Top Ten Hart Trophy Finishes:
    8th in 1981
    Top Ten Lady Byng Trophy Finishes:
    4th in 1981, 3rd in 1983 & 5th in 1985
    1 Top Ten Goals Finish
    2 Top Ten Assists Finishes
    2 Top Ten Points Finishes
    2 Top Ten Power Play Goals Finishes
    2 Top Ten Short-Handed Goals Finishes
    1 Top Ten Game-Winning Goals Finish
    1 Top Ten Offensive Point Shares Finish
    1 Top Ten Point Shares Finish
  • Rankings: 10. Points per Game: 1.24
    13. Shooting Percentage: 19.2
    15. Assists per Game: 0.76
    39. Goals per Game: 0.48

    These rankings are as of the end of the 2024-25 Season.

Should Kent Nilsson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 91.3%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2%
No opinion. - 0.2%
No way! - 1.8%
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