“It’s most likely the goals that have made the undrafted free agent interesting to more than 20 NHL teams, but it’s really his ability to play a complete 200 ft. game that gives him a shot at becoming a regular in the league next season.

Speed is the key word here. Joakim Nygård is one of, if not the fastest player in the SHL right now. He owns the kind of footspeed that can overwhelm opposing defensemen and leave them in a pile of dust, but also to put pressure on the forecheck and the backcheck. Carl Hagelin would be an obvious comparison… Early in his career, speed was the only asset Nygård really had. Thanks to hard work and good schooling, he has been able to build a nice game around that foundation.”

“He is a 26-year-old forward who’s had a very good year in the Swedish Hockey League playing with Farjestad. His agent, Matt Keator, has been fielding NHL interest from several clubs for several months now. To be frank, of the teams interested, Ottawa and Calgary, they’re both in on this guy hard. NHL general managers have gone to Sweden. They’re going to Sweden as they want another look. He’s being compared to Carl Hagelin. I had one GM tell me that this guy can flat out fly. And also what’s intriguing and attractive about Joakim Nygard is the fact that at 26 he’s got to sign a one-year entry-level contract deal. So, it’s almost like a one-year test drive. See how he works out in the National Hockey League and then you can extend after that. It sounds like he will be in the NHL next season.”