Chad Johnson signed with the New York Islanders in free agency this offseason, and the Boston Bruins now need someone to stand behind Tuukka Rask in the backup goalkeeper role.
Niklas Svedberg wants to be that man.
“I’m going to try to have a good camp here and deserve a spot,” Svedberg told reporters Tuesday after his first day back on the ice for informal practices at Ristuccia Arena. “I’m happy for the contract, but I gotta come here, work hard and deserve my spot on the team, so it’s a long way to go.”
And even though Svedberg has two years with the Providence Bruins under his belt, as well as a new one-year, one-way contract that he signed with the B’s in June, he doesn’t feel entitled to the job.
“You’ve got to earn your spot still and come in here with one goal, and it’s to make the team,” Svedberg said. “But obviously (the management) showed me that they have trust in me and that they want me to be able to be ready. So that’s inspiring.”
Svedberg saw Johnson get tabbed as the backup goalie last season despite having a stellar training camp, so he knows he has a lot of work to do. Still, he has confidence in himself.
“I had two years in Providence to adjust to North American hockey, and I’m feeling comfortable, and you know, my confidence is good coming in here this year,” Svedberg said. “So I don’t see why I wouldn’t see myself as playing up here. But as I said, you;ve got to deserve a spot.”
The Swedish backstop will get the chance to show off his stuff when training camp officially kicks off Thursday.
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
