Detroit Red Wings: Jonatan Berggren puts on a show in SHL season
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings have a plethora of prospects in the minors and overseas; Jonatan Berggren is one of them. Berggren got off to a hot start when the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) started up play for the 2020-21 season.
He would continue playing well and finish the 2020-21 season putting on a good show overseas. Back in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, the Detroit Red Wings used their second-round pick, the 33rd overall pick to be exact, on Berggren.
Since then, the Swedish forward has not made his way over to North America yet. He is a product of the Skellefteå AIK club. He has played with him for the past six seasons since his U16 days. He has also logged games for the Swedish National Team as well.
But after such a strong performance in the 2020-21 SHL season, could Berggren be heading over here to North America. Berggren might be a candidate for an entry-level deal when training camp gets closer so that he can get his feet wet in the minors and eventually NHL.
Detroit Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren puts on a show in the 2020-21 SHL season.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
The Swedish product was ranked as one of the organization’s better prospects and has since been dropped down the rankings.
But with his performance this year with Skellefteå AIK, he might be headed up the prospect rankings.
Berggren would log 49 games for Skellefteå AIK, where he totaled 45 points in the form of 12 goals and 33 assists.
He was a plus-11, and he made things happen on the ice. The playmaking forward did a great job finding the open man and making things happen offensively.
When the playoffs rolled around, Berggren has been a little more silent, logging 12 games with just four total assists for Skellefteå AIK.
But, the strong regular season means that he could very well be a candidate to see time in Grand Rapids and Detroit in 2021-22.
It is far too early to start thinking about roster construction, but after Berggren put on a show with his strong performance in the SHL, it leaves the front office with some decisions to make. Berggren’s future is unclear, but the strong 2020-21 campaign works well in his favor.
If Berggren can carry this playmaking ability over to North America, the Red Wings might be able to start piecing together a serviceable hockey team. The prospects might be able to start actually poking through.
Must Read. Detroit Red Wings: 4 pending UFA’s to consider re-signing this offseason. light
If players like Berggren can pan out well for the Red Wings, they will be in much better shape as the rebuild trudges on and hopefully comes to an end sooner than later.