Several reasons why the Detroit Red Wings should avoid trading Jonatan Berggren

Jonatan Berggren has always been a favorite Red Wings prospect of mine.

Much like my late cousin, Jonatan Berggren isn’t the strongest or biggest player but quick and smart. All while bringing a wit that makes him even more entertaining. His backstory, coupled with his antics (on and off the ice with Skellefteå of the SHL), and the goofy stories made him an easy sell in my book. 

For all the success the Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins have earned this season, it started off challenging for Berggren. The travel for him and his partner couldn’t have been easy between Detroit Red Wings call-ups and reassignments to the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

The Grand Rapids YouTube channel posted a Game Day Preview on November 1, including Berggren. He said that he hadn’t played a game in weeks, and that’s the thing he likes most. Thus, he was happy to play some games. (On a side note, Berggren’s English is great! I’ve seen and heard criticism from the media, but they’re being silly.)

Two weeks later, in a Post-Game Interview with the Grand Rapids Griffins, a less enthused Berggren answered tough questions. One in particular stuck out to me. He was asked to compare the previous and current seasons (specifically with the Grand Rapids Griffins). Part of his response included that head coach Dan Watson and the other coaches bring new energy, so it’s fun to come to the rink. 

I’m upset for Berggren that last season may not have been fun to come to the rink. For a player who seems to have as much fun as anyone on the ice, it’s hard to hear as a supporter of his.

Thankfully, Watson and his coaching staff have helped create a positive environment for all players. In the following months, the entire team (Berggren included) reflect these improvements in their metrics, on-ice performance, and statistics, just to name a few aspects.

However, rumors have been swirling that there may be an attitude problem with Berggren. 

All I know is that when I arrived at his table with my shirt, I asked him to use the gold marker. He began to go in to sign the shirt. Pushing through the nerves, I asked if I could let him know something. 

Immediately, he looks up and makes eye contact. I thought he might just continue signing, but that wasn’t the case, as he gave me his full attention (taking even more time from his never-ending day). Then, I muttered out some words. 

They weren’t the ones I wanted, but I hope that I got my point across.

From what I remember, I tried thanking him for having fun. It seems like a childish, unimportant concept. Yet, it’s one of the most important aspects of life, in my humble opinion, that very few people utilize. He’s one of the few who seem to embrace it.

“Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun” is one of my favorite quotes from The Last Lecture of Randy Pausch. It was the idea that I hoped to get across, and I’m so thankful that he embodies it. 

Even back in Sweden, Berggren wasn’t taken seriously because of his goofiness. Meanwhile, he was chasing some of the best Swedes of all-time in the points race. Skellefteå as a team was excelling, too. 

Fun is a powerful thing.

The Detroit Red Wings are living proof of that fun is paramount, but a team could always use more. 

With less than two weeks from the trade deadline, rumors swirl.

Endless reasons bound through my mind as to why Berggren should remain with the Detroit Red Wings organization.

What’s in it for Jonatan Berggren if he remains with the Detroit Red Wings?

Seemingly, the rebuild is on an accelerated timeline, with the Detroit Red Wings fighting to maintain their first wild card position in the National Hockey League (NHL) standings.

As the race continues, the Detroit Red Wings need all hands on deck and everyone ready in the wings. Whether it’s Berggren, Edvinsson, Johansson, Austin Czarnik, or Brogan Rafferty (thought Berggren had it bad with the yo-yoing until Rafferty was toyed with by the Red Wings).

As my other cousin mentions, Berggren’s contract is flexible. 

Also, it maintains as much talented depth as possible. 

Berggren is completely valid in thinking that his game is ready for a full-time NHL position. It’s understandable to be frustrated. Quite frankly, I’d be concerned if he wasn’t frustrated, given the situation. The fact that he’s frustrated shows he still cares. It also shows the competitive side of Berggren's, which is usually cloaked in a veil of fun.

Another quote from the Last Lecture that I echo with Berggren’s hurdle to make the NHL full-time:

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

I reckon there is a market (or markets) for Berggren where he would play regular minutes in the NHL today and would’ve played there all season. If that’s the most important thing to Berggren, I believe Yzerman will make that happen.

My biggest question, would Berggren ever find his ceiling?

For example, Berggren jokes that he’s not a goal scorer, so he closes his eyes and shoots. He must have found a field of four-leafed clovers, given his 17 goals this season. It seems like Berggren plays his best when his instincts and intuition take over. Maybe he doesn’t realize he’s doing the things he’s doing, or maybe he’s uncomfortable communicating those things to the media.

In my humble opinion, Berggren sells himself short. I’m not sure that he knows how good he can be.

Maybe he finds his highest ceiling anywhere, he is a determined guy, or somewhere else that he’s more comfortable. Oftentimes, though, comfortability leads to complacency. Furthermore, seemingly toxic dressing rooms, teams who may not even be in the same city in years to come, and teams who can’t keep guys long-term litter the NHL.

Conversely, the Red Wings boast a roster, coaching staff, and management group who challenge their players. As frustrating as it is for players and fans alike at times, it doesn’t diminish the performance of the Red Wings organization as a whole. 

I don’t mean to boast about the Red Wings; they have their own challenges that they face. Even so, there’s something to be said for Yzerman’s requirement of being a high-character, high-competitive individual to play for the Red Wings organization. 

As super scout Håkan Andersson said after the 2019 NHL entry draft, no matter the skill level, no dogs would join the Red Wings organization.

From all the viewings of and my interaction with Berggren, he fits that mold. I can assure you, if Yzerman felt differently, Berggren wouldn’t be in the organization any longer. Yzerman still believes in Berggren, just as he did with Filip Zadina, until the day he left the organization.

Yzerman has shown that he will work with the players even if it’s against his own preferences for the organization. Very few general managers in the NHL will do so. If another general manager had a say, a begrudged Zadina might still be in the Red Wings organization (or playing Europe if he refused to return to Detroit or Grand Rapids, Michigan).

Instead, Yzerman only wants players who want to play for the Red Wings. 

Long gone are the days where we had a surcharge for signing players well past their primes or overpaying role players to absurd contracts both in money and term, as nobody wanted to play for the Red Wings (except Dylan Larkin).

With the Red Wings organization, a great group of guys have come together. Both in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan, players are coming together. They’re pushing themselves to be the best versions of themselves in a positive, healthy competition. 

Just a quick look at Lucas Raymond reflects this sentiment. Could he have reached the same heights without playing on a team that includes Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, David Perron, and even Moritz Seider? 

I would expect him to reach close to his potential, but learning from some of the best players in the league helps. Every aspect of his game has improved: skating, puck protection, board battles, passing, and shooting. He’s learning things that I’m afraid cannot be learned through watching video or working with an above-average NHL player. Seeing Kane or DeBrincat shoot with the smallest amount of deception or Perron’s determination and sheer will is best adopted when they’re on your team.

It’s a painstakingly long wait for Berggren to arrive in the NHL. It’s not fair in many ways to him as a player.

At the same time, I look at a player like Alex Lyon. While he’s a goalie rather than a forward, Lyon is a prime example of waiting for his opportunity. 

After an excruciatingly long wait to get his first start in net with the Red Wings, then an extended rotation of switching between starting goaltenders and battling an injury, Lyon has shown a spot can be taken. Even when two guys stand in the way, there will always be an opportunity, eventually. It may not be the starter’s job or a prime spot in the lineup, but head coach Derek Lalonde will ultimately come around. As Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part.”

There could be a trade to open a spot in the Red Wings lineup. If the Red Wings are really going for it, though, depth is their biggest asset both in Grand Rapids and Detroit., Michigan. Trading away pieces from either roster creates a shallow depth chart at any position. 

In my opinion, opportunity will likely arrive in the form of the inevitable injury or injuries. I don’t hope anyone is injured. However, the lead-up to the playoffs often leads to exhaustion and over-excretion. Opponents play harder and nastier, coupled with exhaustion and over-excretion, creating an environment where injuries are more likely to happen. 

When an injury happens, any player not in the regular lineup for the Red Wings must be ready to not only step in but also play at the top of their game like Lyon. They must help the team win. It’s a challenging task to ask of anyone. Only a very few players can do so. It’s critical to the playoff hunt and any possible hope of a run. 

When Berggren plays for the Red Wings again, he will be more than ready. 

Berggren has played with an edge since returning to the Grand Rapids Griffins lineup. Riling up the opponents each game, it seems they come after him verbally and physically. It’s a part he’s always had to his game, but it’s coming out more. Partly, it might be frustration, maybe a confidence thing, who knows? He’s just a lot of fun. Especially when he stirs the drink, then quietly fades into the background (even returning to the bench) as scrums ensue. 

I don’t know how anyone could get mad at Berggren, but I guess it happens a lot. Chirping the entire opposing players’ bench might add to it. Berggren kind of reminds me of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Star-Lord, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy (played by Chris Pratt). Maybe I’ll explore this idea at a later time, but it’s just how I see him.

It’s fun to watch Berggren piss off opponents for fans, fun for his teammates who get dragged into the fight, and fun for him, or so it seems. (It’s in addition to the typical fun Berggren brings to the rink.)

Part of me is still waiting for more of the Berggren antics to show. The guy who plays little pranks on his teammates or dances throughout the arena. Maybe he’s doing these things without a camera present. Perhaps he’s just not as comfortable as he was with his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) team. If it’s the latter, I hope it changes. (He might be coming out of his shell more, as demonstrated in this Post-Game Interview featuring Ryan Hana of the Winged Wheel Podcast, where Berggren’s dancing around in the background chanting “Rocky” in response to Edvinsson and his first fight.)

I've sensed some nerves when watching Berggren being interviewed alongside Larkin. It's totally understandable, but at the same time, I hope Berggren gets more comfortable and confident in himself. When he returns to the NHL, hopefully, Berggren will feel like he belongs. He deserves to be there just as much as the captain of the team (no matter where he plays).

Once he (fully) arrives in the NHL, especially if it’s with the Red Wings, he will have the opportunity to learn from great minds like Raymond. It’s tantalizing to think of the type of impact those players may have on Berggren.

More of a personal note, with international tournaments for the best on best play, I want to see just how many Red Wings can join the Swedish teams. Swedish Mafia 2.0 is back in full swing, and I couldn’t be happier.

What’s in it for the Detroit Red Wings organization to keep Jonatan Berggren around?

Aside from the previously mentioned reasons, Berggren is a young player with a high-end to elite skillset that the upcoming wave of prospects possesses. I’m talking about 2-3 seasons out.

To me, Berggren reflects much of what Perron brings to the game. Great puck protection, has the ability to win battles, and get pucks back. They both are great playmakers as well as shooters (even if Berggren states he’s not a goal scorer, he’s effective at scoring goals). Albeit in different ways, both players bring their teams together as part of the glue.

Berggren is the only player who can step into the Red Wings into the forward group right now and make a positive impact at both even strength and power play. If he played a game tomorrow for the Red Wings, he would likely keep the status quo or improve it. This sentiment applies to this season and the immediate future (the next two seasons, at least).

Maybe the Red Wings trade for another allegedly disgruntled young forward who impacts Berggren similarly. The only way this idea makes sense to me is that Berggren really wants out of the organization. For the Red Wings, the trouble might not be worth the effort especially with the turnaround in Berggren’s demeanor in Grand Rapids. 

It could be that the Detroit Red Wings might package Berggren in a deal for another player. Berggren’s AHL-level value hasn’t been higher, but teams often want NHL-proven talent. Maybe the receiving team liked what they saw from Berggren in the NHL enough, coupled with his stellar AHL results; it may be enough to entice a team or two.

For the Red Wings, I would wonder who we would receive for Berggren. If he’s not better or brings a different element that’s needed within the organization, I don’t see the point. The Detroit Red Wings know what they have in Berggren on and off the ice. His teammates seem to love Berggren, as does his coach Watson and company.

The Red Wings can always use a zone entry guy, someone who transports the puck well, and a player who creates seemingly something out of nothing. Being an effective power-play guy doesn’t hurt Berggren’s case, either. (I just wish for the love of God that the coaching staff moves him to his office on the power play, the slot where he often times goes behind the net to make his magic happen.)

I think the Red Wings would be better off holding on to Berggren for the foreseeable future. If they do, Berggren will certainly surprise fans, his teammates, and even himself in the player he becomes.