Prospect Profile: Anton Wahlberg

By Thomas Harrington

With the draft and the beginning of free agency in the rear view mirror, it’s time to turn to the summer prospect write-ups. This summer, I’ll be starting with the profiles for prospects that Anaheim has acquired over the past year. First up is the recently acquired forward Anton Wahlberg.

The Anaheim Ducks traded for Wahlberg from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Olen Zellweger. The Ducks also received the 45th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and used it to select defenseman Jayden Kurtz. The Sabres had originally drafted Wahlberg in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, 39th overall. He’s primarily played in the AHL for the past two seasons.

After he was drafted, Wahlberg played 43 games in the SHL, scoring five goals and 10 points. He also suited up for Sweden at the World Juniors, scoring a goal and three points in seven games. After he finished his season in the SHL, Wahlberg came to North America and made his AHL debut, getting nine games for the Rochester Americans and scoring a goal and four points. They made the playoffs, and Wahlberg scored a goal in five postseason games.

The following year was Wahlberg’s first full season in the AHL, where he played in 63 games and scored 11 goals and 30 points for Rochester. He was scoreless in six playoff games. Wahlberg also played for Sweden at the World Juniors again, scoring four goals and eight points in seven games, helping Sweden capture the silver medal at the tournament. This past season, Wahlberg played in 68 AHL games and scored nine goals and 37 points. He also recorded three assists in three playoff games.

Wahlberg is big, standing at 6’3”, which matches the kind of player Pat Verbeek often covets. He’s also a fast skater, especially for his size. While his offensive totals aren’t eye popping, Wahlberg has good puck control and will hopefully see his scoring increase in the years to come.

Wahlberg will be joining the San Diego Gulls this coming season. With Tim Washe in Anaheim, Nathan Gaucher knocking on the NHL’s door, and Jan Mysak not qualified, the Gulls suddenly need center depth. Wahlberg will be able to step right in and help fill that void. Hopefully he and Roger McQueen can cause some damage down the middle for San Diego.

I have two expectations for Wahlberg in his first season with the Gulls. First, for him to play in a majority of San Diego’s games. He’s played more than 60 games in each of his first two AHL seasons, and that needs to continue. Second, for him to crack the 40 point mark in the AHL. Wahlberg has some offensive skills, and if he can form some chemistry with Sasha Pastujov, Matthew Phillips, or Yegor Sidorov, he could put up some serious numbers with the Gulls.

Wahlberg has the body of a future NHL player. If he does make it to Anaheim, it will likely be in a bottom six role, but get time on the team’s second powerplay unit. I don’t see it happening this coming season, but maybe we see him with the Ducks in two or three years.

Wahlberg is signed for two more years, and he’ll be a restricted free agent when it ends. As long as he’s played well for the Gulls, I expect him to be re-signed, likely on a two-way deal. If he’s made his way to the NHL, then he could be in line for a one-way deal. However, I don’t expect him to be signed to a long-term deal, unless he really takes off in Anaheim.

Other than the players they just drafted, Wahlberg is the only new prospect the Ducks received over the past year. Next up will be the graduated prospects, starting with defenseman Ian Moore.

Related Articles:

Zellweger Traded To Buffalo

Ducks Day 1 Draft Recap

Ducks Day 2 Draft Recap

Ducks Free Agency Frenzy

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July 2nd, 2026