Red Wings: Is Jonatan Berggren Ready for Detroit?

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Jonatan Berggren was a consensus first round pick in 2018. Surprisingly, he was not selected on Day 1 of the draft and was picked by the Detroit Red Wings as the second pick in round two at pick #33. After playing parts of four seasons in the SHL with Skelleftea, Berggren will bring his talents to North America next season.

Was Jonatan Berggren a steal for the Red Wings in the 2018 draft?

Red Wings’ 2018 Draft Looking Similar to 1989?

In 1989, the Detroit Red Wings drafted generational players Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov, along with Vladimir Konstantinov. It proved to be the kind of draft that helped the Red Wings secure 25 consecutive playoff appearances and four Stanley Cups.

Similar to 1989, the 2018 draft may end up producing several high end players for Detroit. Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno were selected in the first round. Both look to have the makings of being significant pieces of the Red Wings future. In the second round, Detroit selected Jonatan Berggren and Jared McIsaac. Both prospects seem to be close to making an impact in Detroit’s rebuild.

Was Berggren a Steal?

He recently played his first injury-free season of professional hockey. Berggren had a breakout season with Skelleftea as he tied for seventh in the SHL in scoring with 45 points in 49 games. This included the second most assists in the SHL with 33.

In May, the Detroit Red Wings signed Berggren to a three-year Entry Level contract. This contract will begin with the 2021-22 season. His cap hit if he plays in the NHL is $925,000. If he plays for Grand Rapids (AHL) he will be paid $70,000.

Berggren will be making his debut in North America for the 2021-22 season. At 21, and after playing 99 games in the SHL over four seasons, he appears ready to attempt to claim a spot on the Detroit Red Wings roster. Berggren is a left shot winger who can play on either side of the ice. The playmaking winger could be the perfect fit for a middle-six roster spot playing with either Michael Rasmussen or Joe Veleno.

Will Berggren start in Detroit?

The only thing holding Jonatan Berggren back from playing in Detroit to start the season appears to be a lack of roster spots available. Once General Manager Steve Yzerman signs all of the RFA’s, the Red Wings will only have a few spots open on the roster. Add in any potential free agents and it may be that Berggren has to at least start the season in Grand Rapids (AHL).

Prediction

My prediction is that Berggren will play in Grand Rapids to start the season. He will most likely be playing with fellow Swede Lucas Raymond and should form the chemistry required to make an enormous impact at the NHL level in the near future.

It should be fun watching the two Swedes as they attempt to embark on a path to Detroit.

Next. Montreal's Patience Shows that Yzerman is Right. dark

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