Jonatan Berggren ready to prove he's a more complete player

This is the year for Detroit Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren to prove he belongs in the National Hockey League (NHL). It's been a busy summer for the Detroit Red Wings and general manager Steve Yzerman. Although extending Berggren to a very team-friendly one-year bridge deal occurred, it was overshadowed by the robust contract extensions signed by cornerstones Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Berggren, 24, signed a one-year deal worth $825,000, which is lower than the $925,000 he earned on his entry-level deal. The deal displays some admirable character qualities. Berggren is betting on himself while allowing the Red Wings and head coach Derek Lalonde an opportunity to witness what he can provide the organization at the NHL level over the course of an entire season.

The Red Wings will be hoping that Berggren can account for much of the offensive production Daniel Sprong provided the team last year. Although dangerous in the offensive zone, Sprong proved to be a liability in the defensive zone, which limited his overall opportunities. Sprong scored 18 goals and accumulated 43 points over 76 games last season, averaging just 12 minutes a game while skating on Detroit's fourth line. Sprong joined the Vancouver Canucks this off-season, signing a one-year deal worth $975,000 as a free agent.

Jonatan Berggren knows what he needs to do to stick with the Detroit Red Wings.

Berggren has appeared in 79 NHL games with the Red Wings over the course of two seasons, averaging just over 13 minutes per game. Over that span, he's notched 17 goals and 34 points while maintaining a Corsi For Percentage of 46.3 and a plus/minus of -15.

"I feel like this is the year for me to prove that I can belong in this league," Berggren recently said during training camp in Traverse City. "My focus is just coming in with a great attitude and show them what a player I am and how big of a summer I had."

Last year, Berggren posted 56 points, including 24 goals over 53 games with the Grand Rapid Griffins. He also added five goals and ten points in nine playoff games.

It seems as though Berggren will be a regular in Detroit's group of bottom-six forwards this upcoming year, but if he hopes to see an increased role, he will need to prove to his head coach that he's improved his 200-foot game and won't be a liability in the neutral and defensive zones.

"I felt like when I got the chance, I did pretty good," Berggren said. "I was an offensive threat and had a couple of points.  I know I can be an offensive player here, so just take care of the defense, and the rest will come later. That’s my main focus. I just have such a hunger to show them that I can be a good player in this league. I need to put in the work and show them I can be a player they can trust."

Berggren's recent play during Detroit's training camp in Traverse City recently caught the eye of newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko. "He’s very nice guy, very good hockey player," Tarasenko said. "We talk a lot about the game. I’m really impressed with him."