‘A Lot Of Joy’: Sharks’ Bystedt Excited To Finally Get NHL Call

After being drafted in 2022, San Jose Sharks first-round pick Filip Bystedt appears set to make his NHL debut on Thursday.

After two injuries, including one to center Alexander Wennberg, the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft practiced on the third line on Wednesday. Veterans Kiefer Sherwood and Tyler Toffoli will play alongside him on the wing.

The 22-year-old Sharks center told reporters he learned about his call-up this morning. After 131 career games for the San Jose Barracuda, Bystedt felt pure joy about joining the Sharks.

“Obviously a lot of joy, happiness in my body,” Bystedt said. “I wanted to give Mom and Dad a call and tell them.”

His parents still live in Sweden, and the center told reporters he hopes they can make it to his NHL debut.

Bystedt was arguably the most obvious replacement option for Wennberg. While the move wasn’t made right away, the young San Jose Sharks forward had an idea that he could get called up because of the injury.

“Obviously he’s a center. I’m a center, so I mean, you get the thoughts of it,” Bystedt explained. “It’s not nice for someone to get hurt. But yeah, you get little thoughts about it.”

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky explained why Bystedt got the call now and what reports they’ve heard from the AHL.

“He had a slow start to camp, but I thought his second game there was pretty good. This guy has progressed here a little bit, so let’s give him an opportunity,” Warsofsky said. “When he’s moving his feet and he’s engaged, he’s dangerous. He can make plays. He’s starting to pick up the systems and the pace without the puck, so [we] feel pretty comfortable calling him up.”

While the newest San Jose Sharks forward is happy now, he explained that in the years leading up to this moment, he never got frustrated with how long it was taking to get a chance.

“Obviously, I wanted to play NHL games, but I mean, I’m just trying to go every day, trying to prove to them that to get the call-up,” he said. “You can’t be sad that you’re not getting it. You just got to keep going every day.

Bystedt worked hard over the summer to give himself the best chance at making the NHL. He told reporters what he thought was most important.

“I think my motor. I can play more minutes [because] I have more endurance on the ice,” Bystedt said. “Can keep up [the] good plays over the whole game.”

Based on line rushes at Wednesday’s practice, Bystedt should make his NHL debut against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Warsofsky did not confirm tomorrow’s lineup.