Dallas Stars Sign Fredrik Karlstrom To Entry-Level Contract

Tuesday: In an interview with hockeysverige, Karlstrom announces that he will be staying in Sweden for another year.

Monday: The Dallas Stars have signed prospect Fredrik Karlstrom just before his draft rights expired, inking him to a two-year entry-level contract. Karlstrom could have become an unrestricted free agent had he failed to sign today, but he will join the organization that drafted him back in 2016.

One of the highest picks left unsigned from four years ago, Karlstom was selected 90th overall by the Stars. The 22-year old center has spent the last three seasons playing in the Swedish Hockey League, scoring 10 goals and 20 points in 2019-20 for Vaxjo HC. It’s hard to know exactly how his game would translate to North America, but there are a couple of things that stand out and could help Karlstrom make an impact in the AHL.

The first is his versatility, as Karlstrom has experience at both center and wing. The second is his penalty killing, where he has excelled in the past. While it’s not clear exactly what the Stars have planned for him, the 6’2″ forward will likely get a chance to prove himself whenever the 2020-21 training camps are underway. Given that the contract he signed last year with Vaxjo was a two-year pact, the Stars may also loan him back to continue his development overseas.