Detroit Red Wings youngster Jonatan Berggren continues to step up.
With the injuries to Larkin and Compher, Jonatan Berggren has been called back up to the Detroit Red Wings roster and has been given an excellent opportunity to step up and show that he can be a regular again in the NHL. This isn’t the first time that he has been called up this season, as he also played in two consecutive games earlier against Calgary and Seattle without getting on the scoreboard.
After playing 67 games with the Red Wings last season and scoring 15 goals and 28 points, it seemed inevitable that he would be on the opening night roster this season. In the end, it was not to be, as he was sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins to start this season in the AHL.
He has already made a good impression by scoring a goal in the second period against Dallas to help keep the Red Wings in the game when they had just gone down 4-1. He then scored a big goal in the first period against St. Louis to give them the 2-1 lead after they started the game out by giving up the first goal.
If Berggren can keep the goals and points coming, he can use this opportunity to work his way back to being a fixture in the Red Wings lineup. The recent acquisition of Patrick Kane has made this task even more complicated for him; however, it seems like he is up to the challenge. He has been looking really good recently in Grand Rapids before the call-up and so far has been keeping the momentum up with the big club.
All three players mentioned are primed to step up for the Detroit Red Wings.
If the Red Wings are going to make it into the playoffs this season, it will take everyone on the team to contribute. The team needs everyone pulling their weight with balanced scoring up and down the lineup.
If Copp, Rasmussen, and Berggren can continue to score and play a decent defensive game, that will be precisely what the Red Wings need to get over the hump and into the postseason. Currently, 13 players on the team have five goals or more, and that leads the NHL. It’s almost certain that Kane will get there, and if Berggren stays in the NHL, I think he will, too, and score quite a few more than five.