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Patrik Berglund Signs In Sweden

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After considering a return to North America, former Buffalo Sabres forward Patrik Berglund will be staying in Sweden. He has signed a one-year contract with Djurgardens in the SHL.

Berglund, 31, famously walked away from more than $10MM on his final contract with the Sabres in 2018 due to mental health issues, leaving the team suddenly. He had played just 23 games for Buffalo since being included in the return for Ryan O’Reilly, and scored just four times during his time there. The three remaining seasons on his contract were terminated, and Berglund disappeared from the public eye for some time.

While he recently started exploring options to return, a year in Sweden to prove he is dedicated and productive again might have to be the first step. Once a consistent third-line center for the St. Louis Blues, Berglund is now several years removed from his last 20 goal season.

Snapshots: Qualifying Offers, Haas, Doan

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The quality of players hitting the open market today after not receiving qualifying offers is much higher than in recent years past, as teams facing frightening salary cap crunches do not want to issue expensive offers or risk possible arbitration decisions. However, many of these top names officially becoming unrestricted free agents may not be done with their current team’s just yet. The poster boy of this idea is Ryan Hartman, acquired by the Dallas Stars yesterday only to not receive a qualifying offer today. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the team was unable to negotiate with Hartman in the short time after he was acquired and did not want to risk the potential award that he could land in arbitration. Dallas obviously made the deal knowing this was a possibility and LeBrun notes that they plan to use the waning days of early negotiating rights to their advantage in hopes of signing him. The same story rings true for the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Ben Hutton. The team did not want to pay Hutton his $2.8MM qualifying offer, nevertheless what he might make in arbitration, especially as they pursue another top defenseman in Tyler Myers, so the team tried to find another solution. Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwhal reports that they tried first to trade Hutton, but to no avail. The only other possibility was to let him reach UFA status, negating his arbitration rights, and try negotiating a deal with a lower salary. It seems like a stretch for Vancouver, but so long as they have rights to Hutton, they’ll try their hardest to work out a deal. One last name that may not be headed elsewhere after all is young forward Curtis Lazar. The Calgary Flames did not feel Lazar was worthy of a near-$1MM qualifying offer or potential arbitration battle, but they also have not closed the door on re-signing him, writes beat reported Kristen Anderson. The Flames are continuing negotiations with Lazar’s camp in hopes that he may return at a lower number. However, after Lazar was given just one NHL appearance this season, one would think that he will look for a better opportunity elsewhere next season.

  • Swiss hockey site He Shoots He Scores reports that a deal is imminent between NLA star Gaetan Haas and the Edmonton Oilers. The site relays the news directly from Haas’ agent, who claims an offer has been submitted and will be signed. The 27-year-old forward is coming off back-to-back dominant seasons, recording 30 goals and 79 points in 97 games overall for SC Bern. A two-way center who plays a complete game, this will be Haas’ first venture out of Switzerland, other than international competition, and the Oilers will hope his game can translate. This would be Edmonton’s second import of the off-season already, along with Swedish forward Joakim Nygard, as the team continues to seek affordable scoring help.
  • Arizona State University continues to benefit from being the lone NCAA on the west coast by sweeping up the sons of former nearby NHLers. The Sun Devils received another notable commitment recently from none other than the son of Arizona’s most beloved hockey player, Shane Doan. Josh Doan, 17, announced that he will stay close to home by playing for the program, beginning in 2021-22. Doan was drafted by the USHL’s Chicago Steel last year and will likely spend a season or two with the team before arriving at Arizona State. Doan now joins Carson Briere and Jackson Niedermayer as sons of famous hockey fathers all committed to ASU. Add in recent New Jersey Devils draft pick, goaltender Cole Brady, and the future is looking bright for the upstart Sun Devils program.

Overseas Notes: Yakupov, Kovar, Erixon, Garteig

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Former No. 1 overall pick Nail Yakupov won’t be joining any of the most recent draft class in the NHL next season. The bust of a former top prospect enjoyed his best season as a pro in the KHL last season and has decided not to press his luck. SKA St. Petersburg has announced a new three-year extension with Yakupov, keeping the 25-year-old in the KHL until 2022 at the earliest. Yakupov finally decided to move on from the NHL last summer and returned to home to Russia to ink a one-year “show me” deal with SKA. He did just that, recording 33 points in just 47 games and another eight points in the postseason for one of the KHL’s top clubs. Now, he has likely either decided to stay in Russia for the remainder of his career or that his best odds of being an impact player in the NHL down the road are to continue developing overseas. Either way, we won’t be seeing Yakupov in North America anytime soon. The top pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2012 from the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, Yakupov played three underwhelming seasons with the Oilers and last suited up in the NHL in 2017-18, a season split between the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche. Moving forward, he’ll suit up alongside Jori Lehtera, Sergei Plotnikov, Viktor Tikhonov, and recently drafted goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov in St. Petersburg.

  • Similarly, Jan Kovar is not messing around with an NHL return after a 2018-19 season that did not go as expected. The veteran Czech forward signed a one-year, $2MM contract with the New York Islanders last summer, but that contract was terminated before the regular season even began, once it became clear that Kovar would not crack the opening night roster. Yet, he still wound up in the AHL, playing for the Providence Bruins for two months in hopes of earning a contract with Boston. When that also failed to materialize, Kovar finally returned to Europe, signing with HC Plzen of his native Czech league. Rather than stay in the Czech Republic, return to North America, or even go back to the KHL, where he had spent the previous five seasons and found much success, Kovar has instead decided to try his hand at playing in the Swiss NLA. EV Zug, an NLA finalist last season, have announced a one-year contract with Kovar. The team is excited about the addition and expect Kovar to be a key piece for them next season. The contract does have a temporary NHL exit clause, but it expires on Tuesday and there has been no talk of any NHL interest in Kovar. It’s safe to assume that he’ll be joining Carl Klingberg, Raphael Diaz, and company next season.
  • Give Tim Erixon credit. The 2009 first-round pick out of Skelleftea in Sweden has not played in the NHL since 2015, but has remained in North America, grinding it out for another opportunity in the AHL. However, it’s finally become time to return home. The SHL’s Vaxjo Lakers have announced a two-year contract with Erixon and plan to use him in a major role, unlike the minor league depth capacity that he has filled for several years. A veteran of 93 NHL games 331 AHL games with six different organizations, Erixon is an experienced defenseman who also became a leader and mentor at the minor league level. He heads back to Sweden as a respected and capable veteran player who should be a difference-maker for the Lakers. Vaxjo continues a strong off-season, now adding Erixon to a list of additions that also includes Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Marcus Davidsson, Emil Pettersson, and Matt Bodie.
  • Fresh off of a Kelly Cup championship with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers, goaltender Michael Garteig has decided to take his talents to Finland. The 27-year-old keeper has signed a one-year deal with Tappara, the Liiga club announced. Garteig was a former standout at Quinnipiac University and was briefly a prospect of the Vancouver Canucks. However, he has played the past two seasons on a minor league contract and altogether has only seen ten total games in the AHL in three pro seasons. Yet, Garteig was stellar for the Growlers last season, especially in the playoffs, where he posted a .928 save percentage and 2.19 goals against average. Tappara hopes those numbers translate to the Liiga, as the team seeks a replacement for former NHL veteran Niklas Backstrom in their tandem with young Christian Heljanko. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Wouter Peeters also hopes to push for some starts next season.

Coyotes Acquire No. 11 Pick From Flyers

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In the midst of a wild first round, the Arizona Coyotes have decided to move up three spots. The Coyotes have landed the No. 11 pick from the Philadelphia Flyer for two other 2019 selections, Nos. 14 and 45. Arizona used the pick to select defenseman Victor Soderstrom out of Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League.

The Flyers were rumored to be interested in moving back and did well for themselves with this deal. In a deep draft class, Philadelphia only slides back three spots in the first, but picks up a mid-second selection as well. The Flyers will now pick 14th in the first and second round.

As for the ’Yotes, the team clearly wanted to get ahead of a potential run on defenseman by selecting Soderstrom. The SHL defender already has experience playing against pro competition and is one of most gifted skaters among defensemen in the draft class. Defense was not necessarily a major need for Arizona, but they add another quality prospect to a talented blue line group.

Blue Jackets Sign Jakob Lilja

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1:30 PM: Lilja has indeed signed with the Blue Jackets, the team announced.  It’s a one-year, entry-level contract and the financial details have not been disclosed.

12:03 PM: While today is the first day that teams can begin the process of buying out players, June 15th is also a notable day on the NHL calendar for another reason.  It’s the deadline for players who are under contract overseas (in countries that have signed a Player Transfer Agreement with the NHL) to sign an NHL contract for next season.  It appears that Swedish winger Jakob Lilja is making the jump as his club team in Djurgarden announced (Twitter link) that he has signed an NHL contract.

The 25-year-old was the leading scorer in the SHL at the end of January when he had 32 points in 37 games.  However, his production tailed off sharply after that as he posted just five more points over his final 20 regular season contests before faring a bit better in the postseason with three goals and five assists in 19 games before losing to Frolunda in the league finals.

Lilja is a capable two-way forward and that’s the type of role he’ll need to play to have success at the NHL level where he likely slots in as a bottom-six option.  As for where he might end up, an earlier tweet from Djurgarden stated that he was signing with Columbus but that was quickly removed and replaced with the announcement that he’s simply signing an NHL contract.  With the deadline being today to get a deal done, it shouldn’t be long before his destination is made official.

Overseas Notes: Tomek, Johansson, Avangard

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A difficult and winding developmental path will now take Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matej Tomek back to his native Slovakia. The 22-year-old goaltender, a third-round pick in 2015, has had a tough go of it in North America. Initially selected out of the NAHL, after dominating the second-tier U.S. junior league in his first season, Tomek has since struggled to find his place. Tomek first spent two seasons at the University of North Dakota, but made zero appearances as a freshman and had just two poor outings as a sophomore. He opted to leave the program in search of more opportunity, spending the following season with the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks, where he regained some confidence but still left scouts wanting more. Tomek made his return to the college ranks this past season, playing for the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Yet, again Tomek fell into a backup role and disappointed with an .845 save percentage and 4.73 GAA in five games. Likely the smart move, Tomek has decided to take a break from North American hockey for a while and HK Dukla Trencin of the Slovak Extraliga has announced a one-year contract with the young, local product. Although 22 already, Tomek’s rights belong to the Flyers until August of 2021, so one or two good seasons in Slovakia could keep his NHL hopes alive despite his recent struggles.

  • The Swedish Hockey League regular season champs are watching as their core is dismantled this off-season by NHL signings. Farjestad BK, who surprisingly lost in the semifinals despite dominating the regular season, have already seen their top two scoring forwards, Oskar Steen and Joakim Nygard, sign with Boston and Edmonton respectively, prospect Fabian Zetterlund join New Jersey, and goaltender Adam Werner inked with Colorado. Now, a fifth name could also depart for North America. Hockey News SE reports that two-way center Linus Johansson has been drawing NHL attention and at least one unnamed team has made a concrete offer. The big 26-year-old forward is expected to make his decision in the coming days. Johansson is actually not a stranger to North America, having played a season in the NAHL back in 2011-12. The late-blooming forward was never considered an NHL prospect coming up through junior hockey and only debuted in the SHL in 2016. However, he has impressed in three seasons as a well-rounded player and physical force and now must decide if he wants to try taking his game to the highest level.
  • Give the KHL’s Avangard Omsk some credit; the team is not short on confidence as they approach this off-season. Insider Igor Eronko writes for Sport-Express that free agent targets include veteran UFA Jason Spezza, as well as RFA’s Sven Andrighetto, Teddy Blueger, and Zemgus Girgensons, and recent Calder Cup winner, Tomas Jurco. While there has been some speculation that the Colorado Avalanche may not qualify Andrighetto, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t be able to find an NHL opportunity if that is his priority. There has been nothing to imply that either Blueger or Girgensons are looking to leave their respective teams. Spezza, while coming off a disappointing stint with the Dallas Stars, is a former standout NHL center who easily remains top-50 free agent this summer. Jurco may be the only realistic name on the list, but kudos to Omsk for putting those names out there and being aggressive on the NHL free agent market. We’ll soon see how that works out for them.

David Gustafsson Signs With Winnipeg Jets

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The Winnipeg Jets have signed one of their top draft picks, inking David Gustafsson to a three-year entry-level contract. Gustafsson was picked in the second round last June, and played this season with HV71 in the SHL.

Still just 19 years old, Gustafsson has nevertheless impressed over his two seasons at the highest level in Sweden. His offensive ceiling has never been extremely high given his lack of real playmaking ability, but his game is already well suited to the North American professional ranks in a checking center role. Even at a young age, Gustafsson can be relied on in his own end and through the neutral zone in transition, despite relatively average skating ability.

He’s not going to be the next Mark Scheifele (probably, anyway), but there’s no reason to think that Gustafsson won’t be able to compete for the Jets down the road. His professional experience at such a young age is invaluable, and he will likely be able to step right into the Manitoba Moose lineup next season if that’s where Winnipeg wants him to take his next step.

Minor Notes: Pettersson, Glass, Porter

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Emil Pettersson is heading back to the SHL after a pair of seasons in the AHL. The 25-year old big brother of Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson signed with the Nashville Predators in 2017, but was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in February of this year. Even with the change of scenery he wasn’t able to make it to the NHL, instead playing 61 total games at the AHL level and recording 38 points. Pettersson is heading back to the Vaxjo Lakers, the same club he left in 2017.

The Coyotes can retain his rights temporarily with a qualifying offer, but given the two-year contract he signed in Sweden he will likely become an unrestricted free agent before considering a return to North America.

  • After a lone season in France playing for the Bordeaux Boxers, veteran NHL forward Tanner Glass has announced his retirement. The 35-year old has apparently been offered a position with his former team the New York Rangers, though the Bordeaux press release doesn’t make it clear what his title would be. Glass played 134 of his 527 career NHL games with the Rangers, racking up 472 hits and 181 penalty minutes.
  • Kevin Porter is staying put after signing a one-year extension with the Rochester Americans of the AHL. The minor league deal is for the 2019-20 season, and keeps the Americans’ captain in town. The 33-year old Porter has played 249 games in the NHL over his career, but is much more well known for his years in the minor leagues where he has been a consistent producer for several teams. He recorded 39 points in 58 games last season and is a former Hobey Baker winner that can help the young Buffalo prospects navigate their first taste of professional hockey.

New Jersey Devils Sign Jesper Boqvist

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As expected, the New Jersey Devils have inked another interesting prospect. Jesper Boqvist has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team after spending the last several seasons playing in the SHL for Brynas IF.

Boqvist, 20, was the 36th overall pick in 2017 and exploded this season for Brynas, recording 35 points in 51 games to lead all team forwards. Doing that at such a young age is impressive, but that’s nothing new for the talented forward. Boqvist has long been seen as a future NHL player, and was actually ranked tenth among international skaters for the 2017 draft by NHL Central Scouting. Solid play internationally and a World Junior silver medal in 2018 only helped to improve his pedigree, as did his brother Adam Boqvist’s top-10 selection in 2018.

The Devils are about to look incredibly loaded with young talent after they complete an important draft season. Not only do they hold the first-overall selection, but also five more picks in the top 80 including three in the second round. That kind of talent infusion to a club that already has Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Pavel Zacha, Miles Wood, and others competing in the NHL at such a young age will make for a healthy organization for years to come.

After such a successful season in Sweden, there’s also a chance that Boqvist impresses the Devils enough at camp to step right into an NHL role. If not, he will feature greatly in the AHL and try to take the next step in his development towards being a consistent offensive threat in North America.

Los Angeles Kings Sign Johan Sodergran

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The Los Angeles Kings have signed Johan Sodergran to a three-year entry-level contract. The 19-year old played last season in the SHL, suiting up for Linkopings HC. Sodergran is expected to attend the team’s development camp later this month.

Sodergran, 19, was a sixth-round pick of the Kings in 2018 but impressed mightily in his first development camp last year. The 6’3″ forward is an excellent skater and finished with 13 points in 42 games this season in the SHL, while also suiting up for Sweden at the World Juniors. He’s expected to return to Linkopings for the 2019-20 season, though an NHL contract was well deserved.

The Kings are attempting to rebuild their club with a new wave of talent, and players like Sodergran have an opportunity to really push it along quickly. While first-round picks like Gabe Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari are important, late-round selections can really turn a team’s fortunes around. If Sodergran can take another positive step this season it wouldn’t be surprising to see him join the Ontario Reign for a few games down the stretch, and jump right into the North American circuit in 2020-21.

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