In a bid to reignite their momentum, the Detroit Red Wings are pinning their hopes on the capabilities of Jonatan Berggren. Following a trade deadline move that saw the departure of a forward without a direct replacement, the Wings are turning to their organizational depth for reinforcement, with Berggren poised to make his mark as they face off against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Coach Derek Lalonde expressed the team’s anticipation, stating, “Hopefully we get a little spark,” in the wake of Friday’s 4-0 defeat against the Arizona Coyotes. The departure of Klim Kostin in a trade deal, coupled with Dylan Larkin’s sidelined status due to a lower-body injury, has left the team short of their typical 12 forwards.
At 23 years old, Berggren has already showcased his potential in nine games this season for the Wings, tallying two goals and three assists. In his rookie campaign last season, he demonstrated promise with 15 goals and 13 assists in 67 games. Despite his commendable performance, Berggren began the current season with the Grand Rapids Griffins to refine his defensive skills, a move that has seen him amass an impressive 46 points in 43 games alongside an even rating.
With Larkin sidelined until at least mid-March, Berggren stands to capitalize on this opportunity to cement his place in the lineup during his fifth call-up of the season. His ascent to a permanent roster spot seems imminent, particularly as he nears the threshold of losing his waiver-exempt status; just four more NHL games will see him surpass the 80-game mark, potentially solidifying his position with the Wings. As a 2018 second-round pick, Berggren’s potential contribution to the team’s resurgence is eagerly awaited.
