The Predators announced the signing of Niclas Bergfors today to a one-year contract worth $575,000. Bergfors, the former first round pick of the New Jersey Devils, scored 34 points in 72 games split between the Panther and Thrashers last season.
This signing is a great low-risk/high-reward move for the Preds and adds some necessary depth at forward. Bergfors is a shooter, a guy that “pushes the play the right way,” something Dirk talked about in his free agency preview. However, he has the reputation of a lackadaisical defensive player with untapped potential. Maybe Barry Trotz can get more out of Bergfors than past coaches, a la Sergei Kostitsyn. I could see this signing coming up big for the Preds.
Team press release after the jump…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 3, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Niclas Bergfors to a one-year contract worth $575,000.
Bergfors, 24 (3/7/87), split the 2010-11 season between Atlanta and Florida, posting 36 points (12g-24a) in 72 games. During his first full NHL campaign with New Jersey and Atlanta in 2009-10, the Södertälje, Sweden native posted 21 goals and 44 points in 81 games, landing him a spot on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team. In 162 career NHL games since 2008, Bergfors has 81 points (34g-47a).
Drafted 23rd overall (first round) by the Devils in the 2005 Entry Draft, Bergfors was the youngest player in the American Hockey League in 2005-06 with the Albany River Rats after a decorated junior career in his homeland. The 5-10, 194-pound winger was the 2005 Swedish Junior Player of the Year, following the likes of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Henrik Lunqvist, Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin. He has also represented the Tre Kroner in five international tournaments, earning a bronze medal and being named to the tournament all-star team at the 2005 Under-18 World Championships.
What do you think of the signing?
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