From The Silky Mitten State: With Jonatan Berggren struggling to find ice time or a place in the lineup in what was supposed to be the call-up that stuck, it appears his days as a Red Wing may be dwindling
From The Silky Mitten State: With Jonatan Berggren struggling to find ice time or a place in the lineup in what was supposed to be the call-up that stuck, it appears his days as a Red Wing may be dwindling
When he was called up on March 9th as Detroit's de facto trade deadline acquisition, Jonatan Berggren was at a clear inflection point in his Red Wings career. At the time, Berggren was four games shy of 80 for his NHL career, a threshold that would leave him unable to return to the AHL without first passing through waivers. As such, this call-up (as opposed to the six emergency loans that brought him up to Detroit already this season) was set to be a decisive one for his future with the Red Wings.
This season in 12 NHL games, Berggren has two goals and four assists, averaging 10:52 of ice time. Since being called up, Berggren has played in three games (all of them Red Wing losses). In the first, on the road in Vegas, he was a -2 in 13:22 and didn't register a point. In the second, against the Sabres in Buffalo, he picked up an assist but was once again a -2, this time in 16:30 of ice time. In the third, at home against Arizona, Berggren didn't score and was a -1 in just 9:13.
Since that Coyotes game, Detroit has played five times, winning three of those contests, and Berggren hasn't found a way back into the lineup.
"I think it's our team game," said coach Derek Lalonde today, when asked about Berggren's absence. "We've just talked about eight quality periods, so a little rhythm of our lines. I'd probably put [Daniel Sprong] in that same boat too. Both Spronger and Berggren can produce some offense, but just the rhythm of our lines right now. We've played some really good team hockey right now, so I think it's more about what the group's doing that's keeping it together."
Berggren's name has circulated in trade rumors since December, and with him unable to secure a role in this latest opportunity (despite tremendous production in Grand Rapids, 46 points in 43 games), it feels an awful lot like that trade, which didn't arrive at this season's deadline, is now inevitable for the coming summer. Now, this afternoon, Berggren was returned to the Griffins, further confirmation that Lalonde does not see a role for him in the Red Wings team at the moment.
Of course, it's possible that injury will require Lalonde to call Berggren's number down the stretch, and he may well yet lock down that spot in the Red Wings lineup. However, that possibility feels faint, and it appears far more likely that Berggren will start anew elsewhere by the time next season's training camp rolls around.
On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I got into Berggren's future (or apparent lack thereof) in Detroit. For a sample of that conversation, check out the clip below:
For full episodes of The Silky Mitten State, check out Apple Podcasts or Spotify:
Also from THN Detroit
Third Line Proving Worth for Red Wings Once Again
Prospect Notebook: Red Wings Prospects Leave Mark on Big Ten Championship Game
Red Wings Lose 1-0 in Defensive Battle against Nashville
Combining Reliability and Dynamism, Edvinsson Earns Immediate Trust in Latest Red Wings Call-Up