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Rasmus Asplund To Stay In Sweden For 2017-18 Season

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If you were waiting on Rasmus Asplund to sign his entry-level deal and come to North America, you’ll have to wait a while longer.  According to a report out of Sweden, he’ll stay in Europe for the time being. In a translated interview, Asplund explains why:

No, I will not sign any NHL contract this summer. It’s very turbulent in Buffalo right now, considering that they will have new coaches in both NHL and AHL. And then they want to have as many contract places as possible as they get together both NHL and AHL players.

Asplund is right, it is turbulent in Buffalo right now as new GM Jason Botterill overhauls the organization. He’s still without coaches at either level, though a decision the NHL bench boss should come in the next few weeks. The team will have around 38 contracts after signing their restricted free agents, and it’s easy for Asplund to just continue his development in Sweden instead of taking up one of the allowed 50 spots.

The 19-year old was drafted 33rd-overall last summer and had an outstanding year in the SHL, scoring 19 points in 39 games. That’s an impressive number for a player who was 18 for much of the season, and bodes well for his development as a top-six forward. The undersized forward is still several years away from making an impact at the NHL level,

Linus Arnesson Leaves Bruins, Signs Contract In Sweden

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According to multiple reports including Ty Anderson of WEEI.com, Bruins prospect Linus Arnesson has signed a multi-year contract with Orebro of the SHL. Arnesson was a restricted free agent this summer, after spending parts of three seasons with the Providence Bruins.

Drafted in the second round (60th overall) in 2013, Arnesson is a mobile defensive defenseman who this year missed most of the season after Achilles surgery in December. Only suiting up for 20 games, his chance at cracking the NHL roster this year disappeared when his ankle went under the knife. He’ll now head back to Sweden where he found much success before coming to North America, including a full season with Djurgardens in 2014-15.

His contract, reported as 2+1 years likely contains an option for the third season. The defenseman will look to get his career back on track after injury has stifled his development and he wasn’t able to advance past the AHL.

Timothy Liljegren, Klim Kostin Make Decisions On Where To Play Next Year

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One of the top prospects for the upcoming 2017 Entry Draft, Timothy Liljegren has made it clear to both Mike Morreale and Adam Kimelman of NHL.com that he expects to play next season in Sweden for his club in the SHL. He has one more year on his contract there, after which he would be free to come to North America and join the professional ranks of whichever team selects him.

Once ranked among the very top of the draft board, Liljegren has slid down in recent months after battling mononucleosis and inconsistency this season. While Miro Heiskanen and perhaps Cale Makar have passed him among defensemen, he is still likely to go in the top half of the first round. Most prospects that are drafted outside of the top few selections return to their junior teams the next year, and Liljegren will be no different. Lilejgren actually spent some of the season with Timra in the Swedish second league this year, unable to lock down consistent minutes on Rogle his SHL team. Hopefully next season he’ll be able to log more minutes and continue his development a the top level.

In similar news, Klim Kostin the top-ranked skater in the International class, will do the opposite. According to Joe Yerdon of NHL.com Kostin will come to North America next season where he would have several options. An NHL team could assign him to the AHL if they can get him to sign an entry-level deal right away, or he could head to the CHL where the Kootenay Ice hold his rights. Kostin told Yerdon he will “never go there” in regards to Kootenay, though obviously things could change.

John Nyberg Signs Three-Year Deal With Dallas Stars

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The Swedish pipeline continues, as this time the Dallas Stars have signed a defender out of the SHL. John Nyberg has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team today. Nyberg was selected in the sixth round of the 2014 entry draft.

Nyberg made his full-time SHL debut this year for Frolunda, skating in 49 games in the professional league. It was the first time he didn’t spend any time in the Allsvenskan, and he rewarded the team with 15 points. The smooth-skater can contribute at both ends of the rink, and it’s actually the play in his own end that has impressed.

Sean Shapiro of NHL.com linked his scouting report on the 20-year old defenseman:

He does have some of the raw tools to develop into a true offensive defenseman. He makes smart passes out of his own zone, while he has a heavy shot from the point.

Those offensive skills make his upside something to consider, but it’s the stability he’s given Frolunda in the defensive zone that could be interesting right away to Dallas. The left-handed defenseman played mostly on the right side this year, and has a real shot at making the NHL one day.

Andreas Borgman Leaves HV71, Will Sign In NHL

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Another Swedish defender will be heading to North America soon, as HV71 has announced that Andreas Borgman will be leaving the team for the NHL. They report that he already has a contract, though don’t specify which team it is with. Borgman won Rookie of the Year in the SHL this season after scoring 15 points in 45 games and another 10 in the playoffs en route to HV71’s league championship.

Along with Calle Rosen and Philip Holm, both of whom have been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the exodus of young Swedish defenders looks like it will be quite drastic this summer. Borgman had just played his first season in the SHL, though he had developed in the second league with Timra and Vasteras previously. Undrafted, he was ranked 36th among International skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting in 2013.

Now 21, Borgman says in the translated article that it is a “boyhood dream come true” to sign with an NHL club. While there is no indication which team it is, it would be surprising to see the young defender step right into a full-time role. Though his game did take a tremendous leap forward this year, he’ll be just 22 when the season starts with almost zero experience on North American ice.

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