Rangers prospect Nils Lundkvist had a post-draft season to remember with Lulea but it appears that he has some unfinished business with them as the SHL squad announced that they’ve signed the defenseman to a one-year contract extension that will keep him there for the 2020-21 season.
The 19-year-old was the 28th overall pick back in 2018 following a season split between the SHL and Sweden’s junior league. Last year, he worked his way into a regular role. This season, however, he thrived, posting 11 goals and 20 assists in 45 games, good for seventh in the league in scoring among blueliners. He also logged 20:18 per night, second-most among Lulea rearguards. Lundkvist was also third in scoring by a defender at the World Juniors, picking up a goal and seven assists in seven games.
That performance led many to believe that he was ready to make the jump to play in North America if not even push for a roster spot with New York for next year. However, it’s likely that the uncertainty surrounding the start of next season due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has helped push Lundkvist in this direction. Sticking around with Lulea guarantees him a full season of development and put him in a good spot to contend for a spot with the Rangers for 2021-22.
Or leave the rangers in free agency