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Berggren Gets What Was Expected in Red Wings Pact

Swedish forward signs one-year deal for $825,000

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Jonatan Berggren, Red Wings
Forward Jonatan Berggren has signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings for $825,000.

To no one’s surprise, forward Jonatan Berggren is the first of the three Detroit Red Wings restricted free agents to reach agreement on a new contract.

Also not surprising is the AAV – $825,000. It always figured that Berggren’s pact would come in around the neighborhood of $800,000.

It’s a one-year deal and again, that’s not at all surprising. Berggren is getting a prove it contract, much like the deal Joe Veleno was agreeing to a year ago.

Berggren has to play in the NHL this season. He can’t be sent back to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins without first clearing NHL waivers, and that’s not going to happen.

The 24-year-old Swedish right-winger has taken on every challenge the Red Wings have been asking of him. He spent the majority of last season in the AHL following an NHL campaign in which he’d scored 15 goals in 67 games. Berggren would lead the Griffins in scoring with 24-32-56 totals in 53 games.

“He did a really good job in a really tough situation last year,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “I’ll never say anyone’s played themselves out of the American Hockey League. It’s just too good of a league. But he’s proven, or maybe more it’s he’s earned this opportunity.”

Money Slots In Nicely For Red Wings

Of course, Detroit must still get key RFAs defenseman Moritz Seider and left-winger Lucas Raymond to agree to new contracts. The Berggren pact is leaving the club with exactly $16,823,194 in available salary cap space.

Dividing up that remaining money into the contracts for these two players is the next task awaiting Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. Seider, the club’s best defenseman, will get the higher stipend. Figure around an AAV of $8.1-$8.3 million range.

Finishing as Detroit’s leading scorer last season, Raymond will be getting what’s left. That will be somewhere between $7.5-$7.7 million per season.

Everyone in the game has been expecting the money to land somewhere in these ranges. At this juncture, the sticking point is more likely term than it is cash.

The clock is ticking, though. The Red Wings open training camp Thursday in Traverse City.

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RWHockey13

I am not sure why Steve Yzerman would not want to sign both players to 8 year deals.

Ken Youmg

He’s hard headed. Low balls some. Over pays others.

RWHockey13

You have definitely have a good point. I hope he just gives in soon or something. Copp was overpaid. Holl should never have been signed. I hear ya.

Redwingjoe

Hey guys!
Stevie has to overpay dime pieces to fill in a competitive roster. Remember that not every player wants to play for a team that fails to make the playoffs.
Hang in there and be supportive of the progress. There will be plenty of free cash next year

RWHockey13

Yeah, for sure. I guess my point was if they could pay them… then let’s get these done.

muttsy19

Cuz you know what is happening. Negativity is easy

muttsy19

Why assume that he doesn’t? Maybe he does but Mo wants a shorter term deal so that his salary jumps significantly parallel with the future salary cap. If I’m an impact player, it would be better that I have more control over my FA years, rather than sign with the team long term. It’s interesting to continue to see fans assume one side or another. These contracts are huge. What if the player doesn’t live up to the contract years 3-8, etc? Both sides have a lot on the line here.

Ken Youmg

A pay cut? Stevie did him dirty again. This started when he didn’t make the trip to Sweden. Everyone else is in TC. Our 2 top players are in Germany. Get your shit together #19.

RWHockey13

It is a bit perplexing. There is $16.8M. Should be enough to sign them. I would rather pay them than Copp. And while I like DeBrincat, I consider Raymond much better and yet DeBrincat is costing them some bucks. I would really re-consider re-signing him at that price or higher when his contract is up.

Those that need to go who have more than 1 year:
1) Copp.
2) Holl.
3) Chiarot.

Mike Babcock

Red Wings’ Eminem goal song…

Guess who’s back, back again?
Bergy’s back, tell a friend
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back?
(Da-da-da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da-da-da, da, da, da, da)

Tom Rady

Not sure what your point is Mike? Explain

Mike Babcock

Lighten up, man. It’s an Eminem song. I just replaced Shady with Bergy. 🙄

Last edited 7 days ago by Mike Babcock
Mark W

Congratulations to Jonatan Berggren on his new contract. Looking forward to you showing everyone in Detroit more of what you’ve done in GR.