Dreger: Flames ‘in on’ SHL standout Joakim Nygard

With European hockey postseasons slowly coming to an end, we will begin to hear more about players heading over the pond to try their luck at the NHL.

Count the Flames as one of the teams that could dip into the European free agent pool. In today’s edition of Insider Trading, Darren Dreger linked Farjestad BK winger Joakim Nygard to the team, noting that they are one of the more interested teams in acquiring Nygard’s services.

In the clip, Dreger reports that Nygard has been attracting interest from NHL teams for several months now, but only named the Flames and the Ottawa Senators as suitors. He notes that both teams are in on Nygard “hard,” but didn’t offer up any more details.

Nygard has been one of the better SHL players in the past few years. This season, the 6’0, 179 lb. left winger has scored 21 goals and 14 assists in 52 regular season games, and added a goal and an assist in four playoff games. He’s picked up back-to-back 30+ point seasons and has scored at least 15 goals the previous three years, breaking the 20-goal mark for the first time this year. Dreger says he’s drawn comparisons to Carl Hagelin and has been praised for his speed.

As a 26-year-old, Nygard would have to sign a one-year entry-level contract, which would be flexible and cost effective for the team. If he signs with Calgary, he would be able to play in the AHL, where he would likely start the 2019-20 season. With a handful of AHL forwards likely leaving the club this upcoming offseason, it’s possible that he’s being brought in to provide some high quality depth.

Farjestad is still in the SHL playoffs, tied 2-2 in their quarterfinals series against HV71. The earliest they can be eliminated is April 1, but should Farjestad make the finals, we may not know where he signs until May.