The Detroit Red Wings must buy at the trade deadline to keep the best season they have enjoyed in years going strong. Detroit, however, is in a position where they can hand over more than just potential future assets in the prospects pool and draft picks to other teams, and winger Jonatan Berggren could be someone who will help an underperforming team as soon as October 2024, if not earlier.
Berggren didn’t fare so well during his 67-game stint with the Red Wings last season, scoring just 28 points in those contests. He did, however, snag 15 goals, so there is potential for the 23-year-old to break out and forge a remarkable NHL career. Maybe it won’t be in Detroit, but there are plenty of teams who would be willing to take a flier on him and go from there.
One thing Berggren has going for him is that he’s currently averaging over a point per game for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, with 39 in 38 contests. Of those 38 points, 17 have found twine. He also tacked on five points in nine games earlier this season during a short stint in the Motor City.
Jonatan Berggren makes an excellent trade chip for the Red Wings
Ideally, things would have worked in Berggren’s favor with Detroit, and the Red Wings could still buy at the trade deadline while keeping an effective former 33rd-overall pick in the lineup. But a young player like Berggren with plenty of NHL experience still holds incredible trade value for the moment.
While a multitude of teams not looking to contend for a playoff spot should have their eyes on a player of Berggren’s caliber, three stand out more than any other. These teams find themselves in different stages of their respective rebuilds with one common denominator: They can all use a high-end prospect capable of playing in the NHL as soon as possible.