Boston announced on Tuesday that Niklas Svedberg has been signed to an entry-level contract.
Svedberg, 22, is a native of Sollentuna, Sweden and played the last two seasons with Brynas IF Gavle in the Swedish Elite League (SEL). The 6-foot-2, 176-pound Svedberg posted a solid 2.47 GAA and .912 save percentage in 29 games in the regular season this past year, and was even better in the postseason. He had a 1.70 GAA and a .947 save percentage with four shutouts in 13 playoff games to lead Brynas to its first SEL title since 1999.
Svedberg will likely head to the Bruins' American Hockey League affiliate in Providence next season.
He could team with Anton Khudobin there if the Bruins keep Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask as their tandem in Boston for another season.
If the Bruins were to entertain offers for Thomas, Svedberg could take on a bigger role in Providence with Khudobin backing up Rask in Boston. Svedberg could also be insurance for the Bruins if they were to lose Khudobin on waivers. Khudobin is on a one-way deal next season and would be subject to waivers if sent down, which is the most likely scenario if Thomas and Rask remain in Boston.
Svedberg also gives the Bruins some needed depth in their prospect pool at the position. After Khudobin, the Bruins have only Michael Hutchinson, Adam Courchaine, who is a restricted free agent, Adam Morrison, who was signed in March out of Vancouver (WHL), 2010 sixth-round pick Zane Gothberg and 2011 sixth-rounder Lars Volden as goalies in the system.
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Photo via Facebook/Niklas Svedberg
