The Detroit Red Wings appear to be shopping Jonatan Berggren as there hasn’t been much space for him in the lineup this season. He has an impressive season as a rookie in 2022-23, scoring 15 goals and recording 28 points in 67 games. With all of the new additions to the roster this season as the Red Wings try to get into the playoffs, it pushed Berggren out of the lineup.
The 23-year-old seemingly forced his way back up to the NHL while Detroit looks around. The winger produced five goals and 15 points in 16 games in the AHL this season, and has goals in back-to-back games since being recalled. He is also producing while on the fourth line at the moment and only got the callup due to injuries. He hasn’t asked for a trade, but if he continues to be limited while producing at both levels, the frustration will start to mount. Unless something changes, it’s likely Berggren will be traded this season. These are three teams that would benefit from acquiring him.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are now well known for all of the injuries they have to deal with year in and year out. This season is no different. There are a few players in the lineup that the team would rather be in the minors, but there is a need for bodies. The Canadiens’ defensive prospect pool is very strong, that much is very clear. As for the forward group, not so much.
The Canadiens are building something with a talented group of young players, but they will need more scoring help. Berggren has proven that he can score and is able to play in the NHL right now. He won’t change the direction of the team this season, but looks to be a solid piece to potentially produce 20-25 goals a season in the future with a shot. The Canadiens have the space to give him a shot this season and beyond.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are underperforming this season again. They have been dragged along by the top players once again as the GM continues to try to find the right supporting cast. The most recent move has come in the form of signing Jesse Puljujarvi to a PTO. Even if this does work out, he hasn’t proved he is an option to add scoring support to the lineup. That has to come from elsewhere.
As Berggren is proving that he can score goals from the fourth line, he should catch the attention of the Penguins. Eventually it seems like the Penguins are going to have to go through a tough rebuild. Before that happens, they have to go all-in. Why not check two boxes at once? Berggren can fit into the Penguins’ lineup, especially with all of the injuries, and get his shot. This will help the team right now. Then, down the road, he may either be a strong trade chip or stick around and help the Penguins come out of a rebuild.
San Jose Sharks
What better team to collect talented young players than the San Jose Sharks. While they underperformed at the start of the season, they are overperforming now. Soon enough they will start to lose far more than they win and will continue to hang around the bottom of the standings. There have been some impactful young players in the Sharks’ lineup this season, and for a successful rebuild, they need more to lean on.
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While the young players are starting to take over and produce, the older and tradable assets will be on their way out. This will create many holes up front if players like Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, Alexander Barabanov, and potentially Kevin Labanc and Mikael Granlund are shipped off this season. Little to none of those players will bring back serviceable young players. The Sharks need to go out and get one that can help in the coming seasons. Berggren appears to be that fit.
