Sports Illustrated’s Jacob Punturi discusses the fact that the Red Wings’ ebb of Swedish-born players over the last five-to-seven years appears to be returning to its usual gush of Scandinavian-born, SHL-bred talent (with a bit of a twist this time around):
The team selected German defenseman Moritz Seider sixth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. In 2020-2021, he played a full season with BK Rogle in the SHL and it readied him for a top-pairing defensive role with the Red Wings.
In 2020, the team selected Swedish forward Lucas Raymond with the fourth overall pick. After developing in the SHL for several seasons, he quickly succeeded in the Red Wings lineup, scoring 23 goals as a rookie. He’s entering his fourth season in the NHL at just 22 years old, looking to improve on his 72-point outing in 2023.
The pipeline continues with prospects waiting to contribute in the NHL. Top prospect Simon Edvinsson is on the verge of a full-time role with the Red Wings. He honed his craft with the Frolunda HC of the SHL, playing as a top-pairing defender as an 18 and 19-year old. Now 21, he has 25 NHL games under his belt and should be a permanent fixture on their blueline for years to come.
Similarly, Jonatan Berggren is an intriguing Swedish forward that could impact the Red Wings in 2024. Two seasons ago he was a 15-goal scorer at the NHL level, but he spent the 2023 season with the AHL team, racking up 56 points in 54 games with Grand Rapids.
Behind Edvinsson, the prospect pool is bright thanks to the Swedish connection the Red Wings built. Last year’s first-round pick, Axel-Sandin Pellikka, had 10 goals and 18 points in 31 games with Skelleftea AIK of the AHL. It was a solid post-draft season for the athletic and skilled defender, who is looking to round out his play in his second season with the team.
He’ll be joined this upcoming season by the Red Wings’ most recent first-round pick, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. The Norwegian-born forward is set to play in Skelleftea, provided he doesn’t make the Wings’ team this season, where he should be an absolute menace to deal with.
Continued; there are some constants in the world, and the Red Wings being good at finding players who skate in Sweden is one of them. The number of Swedes on the Wings’ roster may rise and fall over time, but as long as Hakan Andersson is around, they’ll be making at least one draft pick a year from the home of their former fishing guide turned prospect guru.
