Could Jonatan Berggren Makes the Red Wings Roster?

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The Detroit Red Wings busy off-season could’ve taken away a job or two from a deserving prospect. But can one sneak through?

The Detroit Red Wings just went out in free agency and made a plethora of moves as they look to take a step forward in their rebuild. However, they didn’t really make any trades so the depth that they once had- it’s still there.

Between Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Joe Veleno, and Michael Rasmussen, the Red Wings have a lot of young guys with bright futures on their roster. But those aren’t the only names to watch for.

Given that they have been in rebuild mode for the last six years, the Red Wings have piled up quite a few good players through the draft and it’s getting close to the time that we’ll get to see them in the NHL.

But, the question is, now that all of those names that I have listed are no longer rookies, who are the players you need to watch for this season? Who has a chance to actually make the Red Wings roster?

Well, the easy answer is Sebastian Cossa and Simon Edvinsson however, it’s unlikely that we’ll actually see them in the NHL this season. Or at least not at the start. So, who do we need to put our eyes on in camp? Well, there is one name in particular to keep an eye on.

Jonatan Berggren of the Detroit Red Wings. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Red Wings Top Three Prospects to Watch For

The Red Wings are now unable to classify Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond as rookies which means that another person’s turn is right around the corner. However, Sebastian Cossa and Simon Edvinsson, they won’t be on the opening night roster as things sit. Or at least it’s unlikely. I could see them starting the season in the AHL due to how important they are to the teams future.

When it comes to grooming prospects, you can’t rush the process. You have to let them sit down there and learn and acclimate to the style of play over in the US.

Now, when I say that, I’m only speculating that they will be in the AHL to start the season. Not finish. They could very well see some ice time this season should they perform well. But, we’ll have to wait and see on that one. So, now let’s look at the Red Wings top three prospects who could see ice time in the NHL out of camp.

Jonatan Berggren, LW

Jonatan Berggren is one of those players that you can’t help but be excited for. I mean, he is truly a very, very skilled player. He has great skating ability to shows almost immediately. With his ability to play with pace, speed, and all-the-while keeping good puck control.

To further on that, the puck control that he has, is in terms of skill. Although a skilled forward with a lot of upside, he does lack the physical tools and a level of urgency to compete which are two bigger things.

When you play in the NHL, you’re playing against the best of the best. There are no what’s, and, ors or but’s. The best competition in the world is in the NHL, and so if you don’t have a sense of compete or urgency, then you are doomed. You are going to make mistakes, it happens, but it’s how you bounce back from those moments that you get to see if a player belongs or not.

If Berggren can’t really find a level of urgency on the ice, then he more than likely won’t ever crack the NHL. He’ll be a first line AHL’er for the rest of his life and I don’t think he want’s that. And it’s understandable.

These players all have dreams to play on the big stage and I’m sure Berggren will come out ready to play in camp. But the question still remains, is there a spot for him on the roster? Well, there could be.

The Red Wings signed Tiro Hirose to a one-way contract this off-season which is going to take up a roster spot. However, as we saw last season, Hirose isn’t exactly a NHL caliber player yet. He has some skill, yes. But he doesn’t make a huge impact when he’s on the ice. And it’s for that reason that I feel Berggren, if he has a great camp, could see some time to start the season.

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More than likely, in order to make room for Berggren, they’d have to send Adam Erne or Tiro Hirose down. Which, is unlikely. However, they could if Berggren outplays them in camp.

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