Report: Caps Sign Mattias Sjögren
by Malin A on Jun 1, 2011 6:44 AM EDT
in Translations
Email
Print
According to Swedish news papers Expressen and Aftonbladet , the Washington Capitals have signed 23-year-old Swedish Center/Right Winger Mattias Sjögren to a two-year deal worth the maximum amount for rookies of $1.8 million dollars. His agent, Claude Lemieux, told Aftonbladet: “He got a great contract. They think very highly of him. They have followed him for several months and have been very interested in him right from the start.”
According to Expressen twelve NHL teams were interested in Sjögren. His Swedish agent Michael Johansson (4Sports) explains why he choose Washington. “He put a lot of thought into his decision. But after thinking long and hard on it he decided that Washington was the right club for him. Mattias is of course very happy right now."
The never-drafted Mattias Sjögren comes off a very successful year that includes both a silver medal with Sweden at the World Championships and winning the Swedish Elite Leaugue with Färjestad.
Update (10:42 AM): Per Steve Whyno on Twitter, the Caps have confirmed the signing.
Update (10:49 AM): A scouting report ("A big and strong forward. Sjögren likes to play physical and has good timing in his hits. He is also a very creative player with fine technical skills. A decent scorer and playmaker.) and stats:
Update (1:32 PM): The team's release:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed free agent center Mattias Sjogren to a two-year entry-level contract beginning next season, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to have Mattias join the Capitals organization," said McPhee. "He is a big center who has developed very well over the past few seasons and is ready for a new challenge."
The 6’2", 214-pound center spent the 2010-11 season with Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League, recording a career-high 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) and 44 penalty minutes in 51 games. Sjogren helped lead Farjestad to a SEL championship, registering nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 13 postseason games.
Sjogren, 23, represented Sweden at the 2011 IIHF World Championships in Slovakia, winning the silver medal while tallying four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games. He scored the game-winning goal versus USA in the preliminary round.
The native of Landskrona, Sweden has 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 148 career games with Farjestad and Rogle of the SEL.
223 comments
|
16 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
A new buddy for Nicky! Interesting note: he’s born just 4 days after NB, fellow Swede on the team.
Welcome to the team, Matt!
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
They’re going to have to erect some Sweedish nightclubs in the area. The Russians and Persians seem to have the corner on the foreigner-guido nightclub market
And the longboat dock at Kettler is due for some upgrades.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
He’ll be 24 in November. Not seeing this as anything other than a parent club signing. This is Brooks Laich’s replacement on the wing on the second line, allowing Semin to move to the left side?
If you've read this far...seek help.
2010-04-20 • Signed to a two-year contract by Färjestad
Do they have to buy this out?
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Well yes, but not really
There´s an agreement between the NHL and the SEL that allows the NHL to pick any player with contract before midnight today, that´s if you can afford to pay the Swedish Icehockey Federation $225000.
That’s the transfer agreement regarding drafted players (like Erixon), no? Sjogren was undrafted.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It’s not just drafted players it’s all Swedish players that played in the SEL since the contract went into effect.
What do you mean by “parent club signing?”
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
He’s not playing anywhere but Washington. That’s not a signing that says to me, “if things don’t work out, we can send him to Hershey.” It’s not a depth, emergency recall signing. That is a signing to take a spot on the Washington roster.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Oh ok, yeah I agree. He wouldn’t come here to play in HER, the Caps wouldn’t scout so heavily or get into a bidding war (max contract) if they thought he needed more development, etc. At his age, he’s either an NHL player now or likely will never be.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
This is Brooks Laich’s replacement on the wing on the second line, allowing Semin to move to the left side?
Dug up this Sjogren quote (translation might not be 100% accurate – my Swedish is rusty):
If you want lingonberries for jam, you go to the forest. If you want Volvos, you go to the factory. If you want goals, you go to the net. I’m just hoping someone gives me the opportunity to play hockey next year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2011 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 19 recs
If you want lingonberries for jam, you go to the forest.
Are they ballistically similar to pucks?
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 1, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Listed at 6’2", 216lbs. Nice size.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
The Incredible Expanding Forward. I’ve seen three summaries for him….one at 189 pounds, one at 209 pounds, one at 216. He’ll be at 230 by training camp.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Uh, plays the body a bit too, maybe? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjBPRPefow
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Sadder to say, but in the NHL it’s probably wholly dependent on who the hitter is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
_____________
OK, in my mental photoshop, I just put Sjogren in a Caps uniform and made the guy on the wall first Marc Staal, then Eric Brewer.
And I smiled a little.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Needs more mental MS Paint.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I put him in the AO jersey and then imagined the uproar about how dirty a hit it is.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Laughed at both of these. Aweome haha.
"The longer I delay myself getting to the real world, the better." - Mike Knuble
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Jun 1, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
This is nifty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_wdWRfunHw
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
@frontpageva that’s explains Claude Lemieux being in town and at the Page last week !
Ah yes, that mysterious spotting is no longer so mysterious. Interesting.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
According to Expressen twelve NHL teams were interested in Sjögren.
It’s just speculation on my part, but if more than one team was interested in the young Swede you would have to think starting in the NHL sooner rather than later would be a factor, cause it’s never about the money.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Yeah, one would think NHL opportunity is a primary driver here (sidenote: that’s why an Andrew Gordon is likely Audi 5000), and with a dozen teams interested (including, apparently, CBJ at one point)… yeah. Put another way, a guy would sooner cross the pond to play in NHL Columbus than in AHL Hershey any day.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Is that “The Other Petr Sykora”?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Knew it had to be him or… Miroslav Zalesak.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Rolf Edberg? Leif Svensson?
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Miroslav Zalesak
An anagram for “Alas, El Visor Mask”…or, “La Mass Vizor Leak”
If you've read this far...seek help.
It’s too bad we can’t see him play for several months. I’m not going to speculate as him being a replacement for anyone. I just think it’s another guy that GMGM thinks can play hockey. You need as many of those guys as you can get. We’ll probably lose someone this summer, but that doesn’t make this guy a “replacement” I don’t think.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It may not be a one-for-one replacement, per se (and it may in fact be nothing – it’s just a report at this point), but you’d think it’s an NHL lineup spot, so, in that sense, it’s replacing a guy who was here who won’t be going forward… which is what you’re saying.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Do we have any stats for him?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
33 points in 64 games playing for Färjestad this season
Huh. Is HockeyDB not a good source for stats? http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=84507
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nevermind… you’re including playoffs. Fuller stat picture here: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=4040
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
What’s the ET line? 9 in 13 in a championship run sounds alright, but why did he only play 13 if they won the league?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
No clue. Maybe Malin or Tom can help.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
My misstake, The ET line
Stands for European trophy, it´s a pre season tournament thats quite new, it,´s ben started to try out if its possible to have an european lea0gue like the NHL. But none of the Swedish teams take it that seriously yet.
Per that link, btw, a scouting report:
A big and strong forward. Sjögren likes to play physical and has good timing in his hits. He is also a very creative player with fine technical skills. A decent scorer and playmaker.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Wow — look at the improvement in his play during the postseason. 0.4 PPG in regular season Elitserien games, and 0.73 PPG in the postseason at that level. That’s nearly double! And with 148 regular season and 33 postseason games, those are pretty decent sample sizes for a 23-year-old. It’s not like he only produced in one playoff series.
I need to get to work, but I suspect there are a lot of Caps that don’t have 9 goals or 15 assists in their last 33 playoff games.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
No they suck at least when it comes to the European players. They still haven’t corrected Marcus profile he never played for Luleå. But in this case they are excused because I combined his regular season and playoff numbers. Which explains our discrepancies in numbers.
Click on his name in the post and go to his HockeyDB profile.
Last year, for Farjestad (MoJo’s old team), he had 7G, 17A in 51 games (the year before, MoJo was 10-10 for them in 42 and in Nick’s last year in the SEL he was 12-28 in 45… obviously Sjogren is much older than those two were, but they’re reference points).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thanks. So where do you think that puts him? On the third line with Mackan and whoever? I’m not sure those are numbers that are going to translate into an NHL top 6. He’s got some size, the clip you posted above indicates he will use it, and his nationality/training indicate he’s probably a reliable defender. If Mackan goes above 50% on the dot I don’t mind those two as a core of the 3rd line (assuming this guy actually can hack it in the NHL).
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Well, I’ve seen the guy play… in the two YouTube Clips above.
But we can likely rule out the 4th line. And the first. The numbers say he’s a passer, but it’s hard for me to imagine a guy with 2nd-line NHL skill being out there (without him getting all the hype of a Fabian Brunnstrom type), so yeah, I’d think he’s a third-liner or bust.
Related – Eakin on Kuz news: “Woohoo!” Eakin on Sjogren rumor: “Uh…”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If the Caps could have gotten Kuznetsov over here and convinced Gustafsson to give it another shot, they could have had the possibility of their own “World Cup” sets of forwards…
Team Russia: Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Semin
Team Sweden: Gustafsson-Johansson-Sjogren
Team USA: Hendricks-Knuble-TBD
Team Canada: Chimera-Gordon-Fehr
If you've read this far...seek help.
Guess the World Cup set of forwards is deferred for one more year. (Nicky, there’ll always be a place for you.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
It still works – just take Gus out for Backs. And on the 3rd…. I have no idea what other Americans the Caps have.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
Knuble is Canadian. And I guess you can move JC up to forward.
"The longer I delay myself getting to the real world, the better." - Mike Knuble
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Jun 2, 2011 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, I´ll say, dont get your expectations to high. This is a guy who playd second tier league in Sweden not so long ago, bloomed a bit late and had a great season this year. he got some great skills but it´s a suprise to me that he took the step over to the NHL
Thanks for the report (and no, my expectations aren’t too high at all).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’m hoping he can be a third line player that gives us reliable defense, an honest effort, and 35-40 points.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
That sounds optimistic to me, but sure – I’d love it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I did say hope. If he can’t get 35 is it worth bringing him over? What would it cost to get a good defensive player that can pitch in 35 on the open market?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Which of the Caps’ third-liners last year topped 30 points? Spoiler alert: none.
As for cost on the open market, certainly more than $900k for a ~.5 PPG third-liner, I’d think.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Isn’t that a little misleading with how all the juggling went? Also, do you think we should expect more from the 3rd next year now that we won’t have a rookie there all season?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Misleading how? Any of the “third-liners” to whom juggling applied tended to play up lines, rather than down, and thus should’ve scored more, no?
I’d expect more from the offense, generally, but I’m not sure how much of that is going to come from the third line at even strength.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well, I guess I just mean “who are you considering as a third line guy?” Is Brooks Laich a 2 or 3? Mackan? Lots of guys were all over, it’s hard to itemize the points and say “these are third line points and these are second.” I guess it would be more of an issue if any of them actually had 30 points.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yeah, I mean if MoJo had 40 points, we could say, “Well, he had 15 of those on the 2L.” But that didn’t happen.
Laich was a second-liner last year in my book.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Let’s attack this from another direction. He will make less than Jason Chimera, less than David Steckel did, less than Matt Bradley. I’d be satisfied with Matt Hendricks numbers out of him (9-16-25), even if he makes $100K more than Hendricks next season, because with those Hendricks numbers he would have more points than Bradley or a pro-rated Steckel and only one less than Chimera, and it would be almost as many as Marcus Johansson had (who earned the same money).
If you've read this far...seek help.
- - if he plays very solid defense, as advertised…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
More to the point, low-risk (not a lot of money, send him to HER if it doesn’t work and find an NHL plugger), medium-reward, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, I agree. May as well take a shot.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Since it’s an entry-level contract, it has to be a 2-way deal, right? That makes it even lower risk.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
I’m hoping he can be a third line player that gives us reliable defense, an honest effort, and 35-40 points.
Kind of a mixed bag with Swedes coming over in their first year.
Gabe’s NHL equiv has them bringing over ~70% of their SEL production to the NHL level.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
I should have said “Swedes in their first two years.”
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Although when it comes to 22+ year olds at F it looks a bit better. I don’t think 35 is out of the question.
And look at that jump by Hornqvist from year 1 to 2. That two year deal may look really good next year, but I’m obviously ahead of myself.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I thought I weeded out dmen, but yeah. Signing has upside, low short term risk, IMO.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Erik Karlsson looks really good. I also think I need to come down from 35 to about 30. Even that may be optimistic.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
We prob see “two” seasons, much like MJ90, where he gets acclimated to the NHL and starts to improve towards the second half.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
If he can take a 3rd line spot, I’d be satisfied. That’s the one line I was really wondering how the Caps would fill.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
Big, physical forward with a solid two-way game and adequate offensive skills? Spells 3rd line to me.
A line of Sjogren – Johansson – Chimera would be interesting.
They're trying to build a prison.
Wouldn’t that put more pressure on MarJo to score?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Expectations are restrained, but Knuble was a late bloomer too, so here’s hoping Sjögren is similarly putting it all together.
It would be interesting to know the other teams that had interest in Sjögren, and if the presence of Nick and Mojo here in DC was a determining factor in his decision.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Definitely a late bloomer. I went back to the 2006 NHL draft guide and he wasn’t listed among the top 160 Euro prospects in Central Scouting’s final rankings. That said, well worth the shot IMO.
Yeah, here’s HF’s Top-20 Swedes for the 2006 Draft: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/8013/top20_swedes_for_the2006_nhl_entry_draft/
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Hey, at least he got an honorable mention there!
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 1, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the blurb on Nick:
Nicklas Bäckström is along with Devils pick Nicklas Bergfors the most talented Swedish forward born 1987. He has had a good start in the SEL and was actually, as the youngest player in the league, awarded MVP of the game in his two first SEL appearances this season. He’s a tremendously skilled and all-round player. Bäckström has incredible hands and hockey sense and is an excellent playmaker. He is very shifty, possesses impressive technical skills and has great balance on his skates. His acceleration could use some improvement though.
Yep, we’ll take one of those.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Nice. Also from the 2006 Central Scouting rankings: #38 Claude Giroux; #41 Francois Bouchard. So close but yet so far.
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 1, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I get all of my information from NHL11, and apparently Mattias Sjögren is rated a 72. I guess that means he’s pretty good.
Waiting for the day Al Iafrate calls and tells me he's my father.
by BrianMurphy on Jun 1, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ha. I already had a mental note to check that when I got home today. Well-played…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
How do I pronounce his name?
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 8:47 AM EDT reply actions
I would think, since it looks like Sjostrom.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Related question: MATT-ee-us? muh-TIE-ahs?
Lacking specific evidence to the contrary, I shall blame this on Chemmy and Two Line Pass.
by CapitalCentre on Jun 1, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Should’ve titled this post “Report: Caps sign Sjogren to rest of League’s chagrin”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2011 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Only if they signed Sjostrom at the same time.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m one bad day from moving to Charming.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
patch over?
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Reading through all of this above, what if the guy doesn’t meet expectations in camp? Does he get an “out clause” to head back to Sweden?
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Thanks. Thought that was the case, but the post wasn’t entirely clear. If he is NHL talent, that will be a steal. Do you know if it was a one-way or two-way contract?
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
I’m sure it’s one-way… because if it isn’t here, I’m sure it would be somewhere else.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ha. I know nothing. Stop listening to me, folks…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(Not to imply that you ever were…)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
As far as Swedish newspapers reports, he got similar to a standard rookie deal, but two years insted of three. If they´ve got it right it would be a two-way contract.
It’s not specified but one of the articles say he wont get paid the same amount in AHL as in NHL. So you can draw your own conclusions from that.
Thanks for asking this. It was probably obvious to everyone, but it’s early in the morning here and I’m sick — I actually thought it was 1.8 Million per. Obviously, 900,000 is a much better contract to take a risk on a kid.
I’m hoping he pushes Chimera off the lineup, and maybe off the team. If Sjogren is just an average or even slightly-below-average player at 900,000, he’ll be a big upgrade from Chimera.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Given this guy’s production, size, and pedigree, my guess would be that they’re looking for a reliable fourth-liner who can maybe play up a line in a pinch. Probably a replacement for Matt Bradley, if he makes the parent club out of camp this year.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
I guess 900K on the 4th line would be alright, I’d just hope we got more out of him. Would you leave home to be a 4th liner?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
The better question would be why the Caps would sign a Swede as a 4th liner considering whatever they have/could get here if that were truly the case.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
I guess they just wanted a black and Blue Swede.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, 900K isn’t much more than you’re going to spend on a NHL 4th liner, especially if this guy has upside and can play a bit.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Maybe they start him on the 4th so he can get his NA footing a la Johansson at 3C earlier in the year?
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Maybe. I guess it depends on how he looks in training camp and how he comes out of the gate (and, of course, the rest of the FA/trade/draft activity GMGM does this summer). I wonder if he works with Mackan and/or Baxter this summer.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I wonder if he works with Mackan and/or Baxter this summer.
I’d hope so to reduce the rampup time. I’d think of it as the Swedish U.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly, maybe some non-Caps Swedes as well. Just get an idea of what he’s in for with NHL hockey.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Mackan was already planning to train with FBK this summer, so he and Mattias can hang together in Karlstad.
And I do mean hang together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X9ycg81aVA&feature=feedu
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
What is the purpose of that hanging exercise?
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Yeah, my back and abs got sore just watching that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Looks like super-planks. That must be a crazy workout.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Pretty similar to some TRX movements and yes, they’re brutal. That kind of suspension training is a huge step up from just about any isometric position – try doing some pushups with your hands on the handles to get an idea of what I mean.
I’d be pretty surprised if pro teams weren’t utilizing that kind of equipment (although I don’t know why they have that harness under the hips, I have to imagine that makes it easier) and exercises, it’s been pretty prevalent in the fitness literature for a while now.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 1, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know why they have that harness under the hips
Maybe they borrowed the equipment from Sasha Grey.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 1, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
900K isn’t much more than you’re going to spend on a NHL 4th liner
David Steckel and Matt Bradley giggle and clink beer steins…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
As does Chris Drury, but his beer stein is made out of crystal with a unicorn’s horn as a handle.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
He won a Little League World Series. FYI.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
He also isn’t really a 4th liner. Injuries have relegated him to that role but he’s at least a third liner when healthy. He’s a 50 point player, how many of those on the 4th line?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I know, I was just being a snickerpuss.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Gotcha, the constant bitching about him by Rags fans is one of the things I find most annoying from Rags fans. I don’t know if there is another city that judges its players more harshly by their salary than NYC. Uh, maybe try judging the guys paying the salaries…
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
At least they have McIlrath to look forward to /chuckles uproariously
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
*
Just looked, he wasn’t at a 50 point pace last year but he was playing through some injuries. This year was a lost year, so I’m not really reading anything into it. Even if he plays at last year’s pace, he’s still the best 4th liner in the game. Hell, last year’s pace he would have outscored all our 3rd liners this year. Calling him a 4th is still disingenuous, even if I overstated the case (probably) by giving him credit as still being a 50 point guy. I would like to see him get a full healthy season, though. I wouldn’t be shocked for him to get up near 50, depending on how Torts uses him.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
You counting Malholtra as a 4th liner? Bolland?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I have both of them as 3rd. VAN and CHI never even play their 4ths.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Pittsburgh double shifts Sid on the 4th line all the time.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, not since Jan. 3.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
by Rob Parker on Jun 1, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
After last year’s “who the hell is Matt Hendricks?” offseason signing, I’m fairly confident in the Caps’ rando-signing abilities. Wonder how long it’ll take commentators to pronounce Sjögren’s name correctly.
Well, the haven’t gotten Semin (Syomin) right yet.
Life With Spidey -- a blog about sports, travel, work, family and fun.
Representing Caps fandom in the Gateway to the West.
Didn’t the IIHF just redo that whole process of how names will be spelled/pronounced?
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
That was a change of how they transliterate Russian names to the Latin alphabet.
Other than Russian names (which use the Cyrillic alphabet), I wish the NHL would spell European players’ names correctly, since all the Nordic and Central European languages just use variations of the Latin alphabet. Whether it’s “Sjögren” or “Sjogren” on his Caps sweater, English speakers will likely pronounce it the same way—might as well spell it correctly!
by Jake Shapiro on Jun 1, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Möre ümläüts äre älwäys gööd.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Considering that we don’t pronounce Marcus’ name correctly, good luck to Sjogren. Marcus said his name on video and we say it wrong (should be something like YOU-han-sun). I think we should just give up and admit defeat and say Joe-han-son.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the rec I gave this for Malin. I’m presuming that in the more than 3 hours since this was posted, the local print press is awaiting a comment from the team before running anything.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
Amen, and yes, I’m assuming similarly. The interesting thing then will be to see how they credit the source which prompted their inquiries…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Since you mentioned it, what is the proper protocol for citing something like this? Let’s first assume that Whyno closely follows those Swedish newspapers, then I suppose he should only give them credit as it can be deemed he got the info only from them (then confirmed with the team). No source to prompt the inquiry.
Let’s now assume he doesn’t follow those newspapers and viewed Malin’s post this morning, then went over to check out the papers to verify (and subsequently confirmed by the team). He’s only given credit to the papers and the team, even though (as you stated above) it’s clear the source that prompted those inquiries came from someone/somewhere else. How would (is?) this viewed among reporters, bloggers etc? I only ask because I really don’t know. But I do know that Malin does really good work and has great insight and it would be a shame if credit is not being given where it should.
Especially when the news is in another language, as a reporter, I think you should give credit to both the original source that broke the news, and the source that drew your attention to it.
Or, in other words, don’t do this.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Personally, I’d say that etiquette would be to acknowledge the source where you got the information. Further, if you’re going to use someone else’s translation, verbatim, you should cite to them, both as a matter of professional courtesy and to cover your own butt on the translation itself.
But if he reads Expressen himself and translated it himself, no need to acknowledge another source that had the same or similar info.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Ok so I wanted to see what google translate did to the quote to know where Whyno got it from. But it appears the quote isn’t from Expressen as is listed in post above, it’s actually in the Aftonbladet article linked above, Expressen only quotes someone who is his Swedish agent perhaps? So Whyno didn’t even attempt to google translate himself? He just lifted it straight from here without checking the source and thus has it wrong in his article, too? Nice job, Whyno.
Right, we have it wrong. So does he.
He has since changed his translation to Google’s, btw.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Whyno’s blog post: http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/capitals-watch/2011/jun/1/caps-sign-mattias-sjogren/
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I like this signing, because it’s all upside. Under a million for a 22-year-old big winger is a good risk to take. The biggest issue I have with his stats (and obviously it’s just numbers and nobody’s really seen a lot of him) is that he’s not finishing. What does only 8 goals in 64 games last season say about him coming over here?
It’s hard to say he’s not finishing without knowing what kind of chances he got. I do think it says he’s not a natural scorer, he’s more of a passer, but he may have more finish that he just hasn’t tapped into. Lots of Swedes have that problem.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
True.
It’s a cop-out, but I think he’s a guy who you’re not really going to know what he’s like until the regular season gets underway. He doesn’t have the obvious talents of high draft picks and he was a late bloomer.
Either way, it’s not like this is a damaging signing financially.
Yeah, I’m right with you. Low risk, decent reward potential. As long as he’s not in a suit the signing is at least a net-neutral. I don’t think it’ll even be fair to judge him too much before Christmas/New Year’s. Thanksgiving is the earliest I’d expect him to figure out his NHL game.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
*
And all that assumes he stays healthy.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
“Things I Did Not Know” includes the tenuously related fact that the Caps selected a D named Thomas Sjogren in the 1987 Draft: http://capitals.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8458044
Played for the Skipjacks (and the Capitals… but not the Washington Capitals): http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4990
Is now a certified agent: http://www.nhlpa.com/About-Us/Certified-Agents/Details.aspx?AgentId=1255
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Joe Beninati nods approvingly.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Per Whyno: #Caps confirm signing of Swedish forward Mattias Sjögren.
Expect some info from him shortly.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Word.
"My favorite fan base in D.C. Is United's. Period. The end." - Steinberg
by Bald Pollack on Jun 1, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
A couple of Quick Questions:
Should I be concerned when an agent publicly claims his guy got a “great contract”?
And, can we have a quick primer on how to pronounce “Sjögren”?
We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?
If it is like the disease then its “Show – grin”.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Associate Editor at Five For Howling.
Makes me think of Lee Fogolin for some reason.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL…the guy the Sabres drafted before Fogolin was named Morris Titanic. I shit you not.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
One of our resident Swedes above said “Shoe-grain” would be closest.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
I must have missed that while Z-ing down the page. Thanks.
The Artist Formerly Known as CP2Devil.
Associate Editor at Five For Howling.
Great job as always Malin
Since many of my favourite Caps have been the Swedes on the team (Bengt, Ulf Dahlen, Nick etc), this news did bring a smile to my face. I see him around the 3rd line. And I hope he has a better time adjusting to the NHL game than his Farjestads teammate Rickard Wallin did.
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research
So does this mean the Caps will promote Matthieu Perreault, re-sign Matt Bradley to play alongside Matt Hendricks, bring in Matt Ellis for depth, and sign Mathieu Garon to fill the role Dany Sabourin played this year?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
As long as we can get Mats Lindgren, Mats Sundin, and Mats Naslund to join them.
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
Box Seats Blog
Twitter
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 1, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
They can acquire any Matt they want, as long as it ain’t Cooke.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 1, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Q – What do you call a man with no arms and no legs who welcomes you home?
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research
by Rather Bengt on Jun 1, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Any fans of Morbid Grin?
http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Mattias_Sj%C3%B6gren/147462
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research
Nice shout out from Brian McNally at the Examiner.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/nationals/2011/06/caps-sign-swedish-forward-mattias-sjogren
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Can one of our Swedish friends tell us what line he played on in the WC?
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
58 | 27 | 20 | 11 | 65 |
|
Winnipeg
|
62 | 29 | 26 | 7 | 65 |
|
Washington
|
59 | 29 | 25 | 5 | 63 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
59 | 27 | 26 | 6 | 60 |
|
Carolina
|
60 | 23 | 26 | 11 | 57 |
(updated 2.22.2012 at 8:56 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Hockey Hugs: Tiny St. Louis; Cuddles from the Beanpot; Anthony Stewart loves you
- Columbus GM Scott Howson ‘moving forward’, deals Antoine Vermette to Phoenix
- Which NHL teams may have reinforcements on the way as the trade deadline arrives?
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Adrian Dater on Quincey trade; trade deadline drama; goaltending problems
- Puck Daddy Hockey Rumors Live Chat!
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Blue Jackets send Antoine Vermette to Phoenix for goalie Curtis McElhinney
- Young Swede shines in goal in minors, offers Leafs organization hope for future
- Blue Jackets LW Rick Nash a trade deadline target
- Going Shopping: Blue Jackets LW Rick Nash the popular target as the NHL trade deadline nears
- Blue Jackets LW Rick Nash a trade deadline target
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
