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Post by Zoom Waffles on Feb 13, 2009 10:42:06 GMT -5
Jonas Gustavsson isn't a name known to most North American hockey fans, but the young goalie has shown flashes of brilliance in his third professional season in Sweden. Gustavsson, 24, has been described as a "late bloomer", but against the top competition in Northern Europe, he has always been dominant. With Farjestad this year, Gustavsson has posted a 1.93 GAA and .933 save percentage in 37 games -- easily the best numbers in Elitserien, well ahead of second-place former NHLer Johan Holmqvist. And Gustavsson's success hasn't gone unnoticed. In Farjestad's most recent game against Sodertalje, three NHL scouts were reportedly in attendance to watch the young goalie. These included representatives from Edmonton, Columbus, and the New York Rangers. The goalie claims that it would take a significant offer to draw him to North America, but admits that if there was enough interest, he would certainly give it some thought. ------ Anytime a Swedish goalie is thinking about coming over, keep your eyes on him. So many have had success in recent years from Lundqvist, to Ersberg, to Tellqvist, an even Johan Holmqvist (in the AHL anyway). Gustavsson's Stats
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Post by fukufuji on Feb 13, 2009 11:06:48 GMT -5
Great heads up. I bet the wings have their eyes on him. LOL They have a great swedish scouting team.
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Post by Zipper14 on Feb 13, 2009 11:14:34 GMT -5
Maybe the Wild will pick him up. Wasn't this the story with Backstrom a few years ago?
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Post by fukufuji on Feb 13, 2009 11:17:06 GMT -5
How does signing players from other leauges work are they considered free agents or do they have to be drafted, or something else entirely. I know a lot of Russian players were breaking their contracts to come to the NHL. Do the European's do that too?
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Post by Zoom Waffles on Feb 13, 2009 12:07:37 GMT -5
there's a very friendly transfer agreement in place between NHL teams and all other teams EXCEPT the KHL. Basically, Gustavsson's contract in Sweden has like 2 years left on it. If, say, the Oilers wanted him next year, they could pay a pre-determined sum of money (nothing too crazy, but I can't remember what it is) to Farjestad, and Gustavsson can break contract with no hard feelings.
Most world leagues like Elitserien are not trying to compete with the NHL, they realize they're second-tier, and they're perfectly happy seeing their players get promoted to the big show. But they do enjoy the slight monetary compensation.
On the NHL side, they don't need to be drafted. I believe Edmonton could just sign Gustavsson like players are signed all the time (Desharnais was signed by Montreal this year, and was never drafted).
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Post by The Hockey Hitman on Feb 19, 2009 0:19:24 GMT -5
Definitely a guy to keep an eye out for in keeper leagues.
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