NHL.com’s Patrick Williams posted a list of NHL prospects who are impressing in the AHL, and Red Wings prospect and center Jonatan Berggren made Williams’ list:
Jonatan Berggren, Grand Rapids (Detroit Red Wings): Possessing ample pro experience from playing in Europe, Berggren (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) has displayed plenty of maturity in his game.
Selected by the Red Wings in the second round (No. 33) of the 2018 NHL Draft, the 21-year-old was given time to develop for three seasons with Skelleftea of the Swedish Hockey League, one of the top leagues in the world. He also played for third-place Sweden at the 2020 World Junior Championship.
The Red Wings then brought him to North America this season and have let him evolve with Grand Rapids, where he has scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 22 games. Berggren is taking a development path that several Detroit forwards have already traveled, including forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, Michael Rasmussen, Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina.
Update: Why didn’t the Wings call Berggren up? The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan has the answer:
Blashill said the Wings will recall players from Grand Rapids to replace Fabbri and Rasmussen. Jonatan Berggren will not move up.
The 2018 second-round draft pick has seven goals and nine assists for 16 points, third best in the American Hockey League.
“The last thing you want to do with a young player if he is starting to gain confidence in the American League and just starting to do those things is to bring him up and have him struggle,” Blashill said.
