After competing in the SHL in 2024-2025, Molgaard came to North America to join the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring 10 goals and adding 24 assists in 49 games. His performance in the minors earned him a 13-game call-up to the NHL where he managed two assists, playing nine minutes in mostly fourth line action.

Molgaard’s play in the AHL showed an ability to adapt to the North American game as a complementary player. His offensive showing was decent (10th in goals on the team and fourth in assists in fewer games than his peers) but did not stand out. He provided just under two shots and less than half a hit per game, so multi-cat intrigue is not apparent yet either.

His faceoff win totals and win percentage were in the 80th percentile and 55th percentile of the league respectively, which is notable given that he was a young rookie in the AHL. If he can become a reliable faceoff option while being a positive play driver, he has utility at the NHL level regardless of whether the offensive contributions materialize. The Kraken benefitted from his play-driving when he was on the ice. His Fenwick% (the percentage share of shots for versus against while he was on the ice) as well as his Net xG (the expected goals scored minus the expected goals allowed while he was on the ice) were in the top 25% of the AHL. Essentially, the box score output wasn’t tantalizing, but the underlying play-driving numbers are intriguing.

These metrics are promising pieces given that there isn’t a great deal to hang our hats on for him at the moment. As other Firebirds move up or move on, opportunities for more deployment will present themselves to Molgaard, and the fact that he saw a 13-game NHL call-up over some other more incumbent players in the system is a strong indication of the organization’s faith in him.

What we will need to watch for is which fork in the road he will steer down. Will he be a meaningful fantasy contributor, or a player who is better in real life than in fantasy? He hasn’t veered yet, and this season will give us a better indication of which is more likely. He is a worthwhile farm stash in deep leagues, though he is not as blue-chip or as certain as other players in the system. The bottom-six NHL path appears to be clear.