Author’s edit: Due to NHL waiver claim rules, a statement that Fagemo would be headed to the AHL was incorrect and has been corrected.
Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that the Predators had claimed forward Samuel Fagemo off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.
The 23-year old Swedish forward had an extensive team Sweden junior career, playing on several U16, U17, U18 and U20 teams as well as Frolunda HC in the SHL. The Los Angeles Kings selected Fagemo with the 50th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings shortly after. Fagemo is known for his ability to create space against defenders, as well as an above-average shooter.
After being drafted, Fagemo would play in 18 games with Södertälje SK on loan, scoring six goals and 11 points before being recalled to the Kings’ AHL affiliate the Ontario Reign.
In 151 career AHL games with the Reign, Fagemo has accumulated 60 goals and 94 points, averaging 0.62 points per game. He will be especially useful on the power-play, where he scored 13 of his 23 goals with the man advantage for the Reign. Fagemo has also seen limited NHL time, however, with four games in 2021-22 where he did not register a point, and nine games last season, picking up two goals and an assist.
As of Monday afternoon, the Predators currently sit with 27 players still in training camp – with Nolan Burke remaining in Nashville for injury rehab, this now presumably leaves the Predators with four players that will need to be reassigned prior to the start of the season. Due to NHL waiver claim rules, Fagemo has to stay on the roster for the entirety of the NHL season, so Fagemo will likely stay in gold for the foreseeable future.
Statistics provided by NHL.com and Elite Prospects