Saw this article and thought this deserves some respect.
While OV is playing for 5.7M at Dynamo Moscow, Berglund is going back to his hometown team Vasteras for free to "give back for all the help he has received during his career".
"Patrik Berglund joining Vasteras is also worth some tribute. To me, that's a great transaction, just the type you want to see in these special lockout-times.
An NHL star coming home to his youth club, wants no pay, just wants to give back for all the help he has received during his career.
What an inspiration for the kids and juniors in that club — as well for the first team.
I almost hope for a long lockout when I think of this deal."
That's awesome. That's our boy. Berglund isn't the most talkative guy but he definitely has a ton of class. Oshie is talking about joining Berglund too. I wonder if he does the same.
I think it's great and more guys are following. Kopitar, Hornqvist and Murray will also play for free. Swedish players take a lot of pride in giving something back to their club.
Great stuff. Bergie's the man! I hope he and Oshie both play on that team for free. It would probably bring in a lot of money to the club.
Could be, but while the guys don't get any money most teams even can't afford the insurance fees they have to pay.
Christian Ehrhoff is playing in Germany for free, too, but his insurance is around $26,000/month, which still makes him the most expensive player on the team.
Could be, but while the guys don't get any money most teams even can't afford the insurance fees they have to pay.
Christian Ehrhoff is playing in Germany for free, too, but his insurance is around $26,000/month, which still makes him the most expensive player on the team.
Exactly. Berglund is playing for free, but the only reason that Västerås could afford to sign him is because a local business is paying for the insurance.
Berglund is one of my favorite players in the entire league. Can't wait for this season to start; I've been predicting a breakout for him this year since like February.
Berglund is one of my favorite players in the entire league. Can't wait for this season to start; I've been predicting a breakout for him this year since like February.
Pfft, that's nothing. We've been predicting a breakout year for him for YEARS.
Pfft, that's nothing. We've been predicting a breakout year for him for YEARS.
Ain't that the truth...Unfortunately, Berglund's rookie year could be his best offensive one. He has that ability to take over, but for some reason he never finds the back of the net. In my best estimation, he won't hit 60 points unless someone hits 30 goals on his wing.
Still looking forward to a Perry-Bergy-Vladi line. Berglund and Perron already have the chemistry. I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, but those two consistently produce when together. Add Tarasenko to the mix and I think that line is just downright scary. Berglund will hit 60+ points someday...no doubt about it.
Ain't that the truth...Unfortunately, Berglund's rookie year could be his best offensive one. He has that ability to take over, but for some reason he never finds the back of the net. In my best estimation, he won't hit 60 points unless someone hits 30 goals on his wing.
He scored his career high in goals, assists, and points in his third year. And I think we can all agree he is more effective at driving the net and protecting the puck and winning battles in the offensive zone, regardless of production. He has shown flashes of being able to carry a line for the past two years, sometimes for a dozen+ games at a time, something he never showed in his first two years.
I agree that Berglund needs good and CONSISTENT linemates, and then we'll see him settle in and break previous levels of production. I just don't agree that his rookie season even could be his best offensively to this point.
I thought his rookie year showed his potential. He had that young guy swagger in his body language and dekes. He doesn't go around people as often as he used to and has a harder time getting his shot off...But maybe teams are just keying on him more. I just want him to have a few really good years before it's too late.
None of the Blues had an abundance of points. I think it is the system the Blues play that really doesn't give much of an opportunity to put up 80-100 points that we used to get years ago. This also goes for the systems that the competition uses as well. I think playing a different system that he would conceivably be in that 55-70 point range of your typical #2 center. Remember...our leading scorer only had 54 points.
None of the Blues had an abundance of points. I think it is the system the Blues play that really doesn't give much of an opportunity to put up 80-100 points that we used to get years ago. This also goes for the systems that the competition uses as well. I think playing a different system that he would conceivably be in that 55-70 point range of your typical #2 center. Remember...our leading scorer only had 54 points.
I would point out that:
1) The two most offensive players on the Blues were both out for an extended period of time. One of them for ~ 2/3 of the season.
2) David Backes is not really a #1 center...he would be a very very good #2 though.
3) TJ Oshie, while skilled, is much like Backes in that his game is more all-around than scoring.
And thus, using that as a barometer is not terribly accurate in my opinion.
