Well, well, well, it looks like the Detroit Red Wings have finally decided to give one of their top prospects a real opportunity at the NHL level. Jonatan Berggren, the talented Swedish forward who was a second-round pick back in 2018, is being called up from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins to join the Wings’ forward corps.
About damn time, if you ask me.
Berggren has been tearing it up down on the farm this season, racking up 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in just 43 games with the Griffins. The kid has looked ready for primetime for a while now, but for some reason the Red Wings’ brain trust has been reluctant to give him an extended look with the big club.
That’s all changing now though, as injuries and trades have created some holes in Detroit’s lineup that need filling. With captain Dylan Larkin out and former first-rounder Oskar Sundqvist shipped to Minnesota at the deadline, there’s an opening for Berggren to slide into a top-nine role.
And you’d better believe the 22-year-old Swede is champing at the bit to prove he belongs.
“Jonatan has paid his dues in Grand Rapids and earned this opportunity,” said Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. “We’re excited to see what he can do at this level.”
For those who haven’t been following Berggren’s development closely, here’s a quick scouting report: He’s a supremely skilled offensive player with fantastic hockey sense and vision. Berggren can distribute the puck at an elite level and also possesses a high-end release and scoring touch around the net.
His size (5’11”, 184 lbs) is probably the biggest concern, as he’ll need to get stronger to better handle the rigors of the NHL game. But the talent is undeniable – this kid can flat out play.
Some fans and pundits were growing restless with Detroit’s perceived mishandling of Berggren’s development path. There was even chatter that he could be traded at the deadline as the Red Wings looked to bolster their roster for a playoff push.
But Yzerman and co. held firm, clearly still high on the young Swede’s upside and potential to be an impact player for the franchise down the road. They’re giving him an opportunity now to prove he’s ready to be a full-time NHLer.
It’s the kind of opportunity Berggren has been patiently waiting and working for over in Grand Rapids. He got a brief nine-game cup of coffee with the Wings earlier this season, picking up five points, but it’s been back to the minors since mid-November.
No more paying dues for this top prospect though. It’s go-time now for Berggren as he joins a Red Wings team still very much in the playoff race in the tightly contested Eastern Conference wild card battle.
Detroit is counting on Berggren to provide an offensive spark, as they’ve struggled to score consistently all season long. His elite playmaking ability could be a huge boost, especially on a power play that has looked anemic at times.
Of course, just because he’s gotten the call doesn’t mean Berggren is going to instantly set the world on fire. There will undoubtedly be an adjustment period as he gets acclimatized to the speed and physicality of the NHL game.
But you can be sure the supremely confident Berggren will be aiming to stick around with the big club for good this time. He knows this could be his last, best chance to prove he’s ready for primetime.
If Jonatan Berggren can quickly find his scoring touch and make an immediate impact, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him hold down a top-six role for the stretch run. The Red Wings have been desperately seeking high-end skill and creativity in their top-nine all season.
Berggren has that in spades – he just needs to go out and show it now at hockey’s highest level. With games against Vegas, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Toronto coming up, he’ll get his chance soon enough.
The stage is set for Jonatan Berggren. It’s time for Detroit’s long-awaited Swedish prospect to finally take his star turn.
