Report: Caps Sign Mattias Sjögren

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.