Jonatan Berggren aims to demonstrate his place in the NHL by addressing defensive weaknesses
Jonatan Berggren is entering the 2024-25 season with a clear mission: to prove he's ready to be a full-time NHL player, particularly by improving his defensive game.
After spending much of last season in the AHL and playing only 12 games in the NHL, Berggren's offensive abilities were evident. Still, his defensive lapses kept him from securing a regular spot in Detroit's lineup.
On a one-year, $825,000 deal, Berggren acknowledges that to earn his place in the lineup, he must focus on becoming more responsible defensively. While his offensive skills, like vision and deception, have impressed, head coach Derek Lalonde emphasized the need for a stronger two-way game. Lalonde mentioned that Berggren worked hard over the summer, slimming down and adding explosiveness. Still, the real test will be whether he can translate those improvements into defensive consistency on the ice.
Detroit's lineup underwent significant changes in the offseason, losing key scorers like David Perron and Daniel Sprong, which means the team cannot afford to outscore defensive mistakes. For Berggren, this heightens the importance of defensive responsibility.
Berggren has sought to address these weaknesses by studying the play of smaller, defensively sound forwards and working with coaches. As a player no longer waiver-exempt, Detroit must either keep him on the roster or risk losing him to another team, raising the stakes for him to deliver.
This season will be critical for Berggren to prove not only his offensive ability but also his ability to defend well enough to secure his place in the NHL.
Source: The Hockey News
By Addressing Defensive Shortcomings, Jonatan Berggren Looks to Prove NHL Belonging
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