Report: Swedish free agent Joakim Nygard deciding between Flames and Oilers

The Calgary Flames have added several Europeans to their group so far this off-season. Per a report by Swedish journalist Uffe Bodin, they may be close to adding another.

The Flames have been connected to Joakim Nygard for months. The 26-year-old product of Stockholm has played six and a half seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, all for Farjestads BK. Coincidentally, Flames head European scout Hakan Loob spent several seasons as the general manager, head of hockey operations or president of Farjestads BK, so he knows Nygard pretty well.

Coming off back-to-back seasons amassing more than 30 points – a lot in the shorter SHL calendar – Nygard has been one of the more coveted European free agents. Reports out of Europe weeks ago indicated that he had chosen a team – one of Calgary or Ottawa – and that his uncertain roster status for Sweden at the World Hockey Championship was holding up an announcement. Nygard’s roster spot ended up going to Gabriel Landeskog.

A left winger, Nygard would be behind players like Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Dillon Dube and Andrew Mangiapane with the Flames. In Edmonton, he’d be behind the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Ty Rattie and Tobias Reider. If his goal is to play NHL games, there’s a clearer path in Edmonton. If he wants to be part of a winning organization, his decision may be different.

With the World Championship winding down and the attention of the hockey world turning to the future, Nygard’s decision should become known in short order.