- During the season I can unfortunately not follow the Oilers that much, the games are on too late and I would be too tired to play games and practice. I check out the highlights and I am in contact with the team a few times a week.
He is not happy with how last season, his first at SHL level, even though he played more than any of the young Swedish defensemen about to take the step over to NA.
- No, last year was a lot of ups and downs, but this year is going good so far. I have gotten more responsibilities and I am playing more.
The scouting report for the 190 cm tall and 95 kg heavy RD is that he is a big and strong two-way defenseman with a good feel for the game (my remark: what people on here call hockey IQ I guess) and very good shot.
His coach:
- FB was very skilled during his junior years, skilled with the puck and good at creating offense. That is why he got the chance to play for our SHL team. We have added a strong defense to his game and in that department he has taken huge strides this year. He has a completely different dimension of his game compared to last season when he was a strictly offensive D for us. This year we are playing him more on the PK than on the PP.
- He has become very skilled with the puck, which is needed these days with fast and heavy fore-checking. He is calm with the puck and manages to get out of tricky situations. He needs to develop his skating, to become a bit faster. He is working on that and if he can develop that part further he can become an impact player.
FB:
- I feel much more calm on the ice, both with and without the puck. I have improved my skating; everything is more calm and easy now.
- I am in contact with the Oilers all the time, I have discussed the skating issue with Rick Carriere. That is something that I want to improve. I worked on it this summer and I think my improvement in that area has been an important factor in me feeling more calm this year.
Berglund has a great shot, but he needs to work on the physical part of the game.
- I know that this needs work. I feel that the skating is more important now and then I can take the next step and work on the physical part of the game. It is in the back of my head and I do think that I am a bit tougher to play this year compared to last.
Next year it is possible that FB will take the step and go over to NA. He has no issue with playing one or a few years with Bakersfield in the AHL.
- I am not considering that right now, that is the way many have to go to get to the NHL and if that is what it takes, then of course I will do it.