Alex Command is now part of the Winnipeg Jets organization after the club acquired him in the trade that sent Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils. The package also included Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, Nico Daws, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Alexander Command in Sweden
Command was selected 12th overall by the Devils in June, and that timing matters because it shows how recently he entered the top tier of the prospect pool. He is currently playing in his native Sweden, where he has appeared in SHL games this season and spent time in Sweden's top U20 league.
His numbers give the profile some shape. He has averaged two points per game in that top U20 league, and he posted seven points in seven games at the U18 Men's World Championship last spring while helping Sweden win gold.
Winnipeg Jets get a center
The fit is obvious on paper. Command is a natural center with two-way capabilities, and he has been described as aggressive, abrasive and competitive, with the physical strength to back up that style of play.
That combination explains why he drew attention beyond raw scoring. He can take on tough matchups while providing secondary scoring, and he has the offensive tools, including a high-end shot, to grow into a larger role.
SHL results and the next step
The complication is that he has not scored in five pro games this season in the SHL. That gap between production in Sweden's top U20 league and production against older pro competition is the part Winnipeg will have to sort through as it evaluates when he can move into a bigger role.
He is likely to suit up for Sweden at the World Junior Championship this season, and he is also likely to come to North America next season. The exact timing of that move is the question left open by the trade package.
