Rookies to watch part 1: Niklas Svedberg
 |
| Photo By Instagram/nhlbruins |
As the Bruins training camp is under way and with Svedberg having recently signed a one-year, one-way contract—the job of Tuukka Rask’s backup seems to belong to him, and rightly so.
It is paramount that the Bruins have a competent, reliable backup to help spell Rask during the long grind that is an NHL regular season, and it seems Svedberg is ready to fill that position. Not only will this help the Bruins and Rask during those 82 games, but here in Boston, with the playoffs always at the front of minds, will ensure Rask is rested and fit when the chase for the cup begins.
Svedberg had a solid season between the pipes last year with the baby B’s, posting a .910 save percentage and a 2.63 goals against average in 45 games as he led Providence into the eastern conference semifinals of the Calder Cup playoffs.
If Svedberg lives up to his potential, we should expect to see somewhere between 20 and 25 starts from the young Swede, following the Chad Johnson formula we saw last year.
And if the preseason is a sign of things to come, we should also expect some timely, big saves, as was the case in a 2-1 game during the Bruins first preseason game at the Bell Centre—as he flashed his right pad to keep the puck out.
Svedberg has the skill, he has put in his time down in Providence and now is the time for him to seize this moment and prove himself as one of the best, not just backups, but goalies in the league. So be sure to keep an eye on Svedberg this year—not just opening the door for line changes but in the crease keeping the puck from crossing the goal line.
The Bruins have consistently had a backup goalie to rely on, and this season should prove no different with the Scandinavian duo perhaps vying for the title of the NHL’s best one-two punch when it comes to goaltending.
