It’s a battle of the ‘ström’s’ in today’s prospect news and rumors update. The Ottawa Senators loan one of their top prospect to Switzerland, the Anaheim Ducks loan a former first-round pick to Sweden, and a former Florida Panthers’ draft pick signs a one-year contract in Finland.
Senators Loan Brännström to Switzerland
The Senators have loaned Swedish defenseman Erik Brännström to SC Langnau of the Swiss NLA in Switzerland for the start of their 2020-21 season. Drafted 15th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights, Brännström was acquired by the Senators in the Mark Stone trade. He split the 2019-20 season between the NHL and American Hockey League.
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In the AHL, he amassed three goals and 23 points in 27 games played for the Belleville Senators. In the NHL, he managed to put up four assists in 31 games played. It was his second full season in North America and in 31 NHL games he’s still looking for his first goal.
It’s an interesting destination for Brännström, as I would’ve expected him to return to his home country of Sweden for the time being. However, he will get some valuable playing time before the start of the 2020-21 NHL season. He will be able to return for training camp and will be eligible to play in the NHL when the season begins.
Ducks Loan Lundeström to Sweden
The Ducks have loaned centreman Isac Lundeström to Timra IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden. Drafted 23rd overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he split the 2019-20 season between the Ducks and the San Diego Gulls. In the AHL, he managed to put up six goals and 21 points in 43 games played. With Anaheim, he amassed four assists in 15 games played. This was his first full season in North America after playing part of the 2018-19 season with Luleå HF in the Swedish Hockey League.
He joins fellow Swedish forward and New Jersey Devils prospect Jesper Boqvist at Timra IK. This will be his first time playing in the HockeyAllsvenskan. During his time in Sweden, he jumped straight to the SHL from the J20 SuperElit. Lundestrom has an NHL out-clause to return to the team if play in North America is able to commence.
Panthers Prospect Borgström Signs in Finland
Panthers prospect Henrik Borgström has signed a one-year contract with HIFK in the Finnish Liiga. The Helsinki native returns to his hometown for the first time since the 2015-16 season when he played for their U20 team. Drafted 23rd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he spent the majority of the 2019-20 season in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds. He amassed 11 goals and 23 points over 49 games played. He was held pointless in the four NHL games he played last season.
It was a disappointing step down for Borgström last season. He managed only four NHL games after appearing in 50 during the 2018-19 season. His entry-level contract expired at the end of the 2019-20 season. His one-year contract with HIFK includes an NHL out-clause in case he signs a contract at any point during the upcoming season.