2021 Canucks Top 25 Under 25: #15 Arvid Costmar

Welcome to the 2021 Edition of the Vancouver Canucks Top 25 Under 25 Rankings. The list includes all players born after January 1st, 1997. Seven staff writers (Beggsy, Westy, Kent Basky, CanucksAbbyFan2, Markus Meyer, Noah Strang, Harsunder Singh H) and two outside writers (Daniel Gee & Cam Robinson) cast votes for the project.

Although 2020-21 was a roller coaster for Arvid Costmar, he did establish himself as a legitimate NHL prospect.

Considering that he was the third-last player taken in the that’s a win for the Canucks organization.

Costmar was certainly a prospect with flaws (like most players taken in the seventh round of the draft). Even this summer, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman graded Costmar’s skating and puck skills as “below average” (based on how his skills project at an NHL level), but it’s his compete level that helps the 20-year-old Swede stand out against competition.

That compete level was on display during the World Juniors, which was a coming-out party for Costmar. He was named one of Sweden’s three best players in the tournament, he scored a couple of goals, and he even managed to piss off Vasily Podkolzin in the process.

For a player that stands at 5-11, 179 pounds, Costmar has a surprisingly physical edge to his game. That aforementioned compete level, combined with a physical streak, does give the youngster an outside chance of making the NHL as a fourth-line centre down the road.

Aside from his World Junior coming-out party, Costmar spent most of the season playing fourth-line minutes in the SHL, averaging 9:52 per game over 22 contests. He was called up to the SHL after registering six points in three J20 Nationell games, and he never looked back.

Playing that regularly in the SHL as a teenager is impressive, even though Costmar only registered one goal in 22 games. However, his season was ended in February after suffering a shoulder injury. He also missed some playing during during the SHL preseason, so injuries could be a concern for the smaller forward who plays with an edge.

What’s Next for Costmar?

Despite those injury concerns, Costmar was back with Linköping HC of the SHL for the beginning of the 2021-22 SHL regular season.

As of writing, and Costmar already has matched his goal total from last season.

He had a chance to double that total through just two games. Instead, he was thwarted on this penalty shot attempt.

Costmar has seen a modest bump in playing time, averaging close to 13 minutes per night through two contests.

He signed a one-year deal with Linköping during the offseason. If he continues on his upward trajectory this season in the SHL, he could sign with the Canucks with the intention of playing in Abbotsford for the 2022-23 season.

• 12 Notable Omissions
• #25: Karel Plasek
• #24: Jacob Truscott
• #23: Dmitri Zlodeyev
• #22: Carson Focht
• #21: Toni Utunen
• #20: Arturs Silovs
• #19: Lukas Jasek
• #18: Viktor Persson
• #17: Joni Jurmo
• #16: Guillaume Brisebois