He seems a lot like Kimmo in some ways.
Kimmo was never an offensive dynamo (averaged 3-12 15 per season at ES, had a few big seasons as PP QB though), wasn't that big (5'10 194, Hogberg may end up 6'1 200 or so), but was smart, smooth and efficient and made the most of his size by using leverage and positioning.
Hogberg just makes me think of that kind of defenseman, who never jumps out at you but just gets the job done efficiently with minimal mistakes.
Out with the Ghost in with the Hog
Low risk game, positionally sound and a good outlet pass seems like someone they would like, now that he has signed.
Got some nice insight from Lakers assistant coach.
Had a brief back and forth with Linus... here is what he said in response to a few short questions on signing.
Had a brief back and forth with Linus... here is what he said in response to a few short questions on signing.
Thanks for the coverage.
Bit of a tangent: do you ever chat with the players in Swedish? IIRC, you have some working proficiency in the language.
Good move, though isn't that Allsvenskan, a step down from the SHL?
Seems sort of a waste of time after 200 SHL games, but it'll keep him in shape for TC.
He effectively does not have an option right now.
SHL have now banned short term loans from the NHL for players who did not have an SHL contract for next year.
Hence why it has been a month since the last NHLer was loaned to an SHL team... while there have been like 20 prospects in the last three weeks loaned from NHL teams to Allsvenskan.
If there is no AHL season he will likely leave Allsvenskan and go to the SHL, as there is SHL interest.
Vita Hästen is saying this loan of Högberg is for the entire season. Kind of weird. He should be in SHL.
Out with the Hag in with the Hog
What was it about Högberg’s 2019-20 season that cemented the decision to officially sign him to an entry-level contract? I didn’t get the sense that was always a certainty.
For him, I think the biggest adjustment was really his off-ice. He’s a kid that’s played over there (in Sweden) and played OK and done those things, but he never really invested the time in the offseason — to get stronger to put on weight to do the things that would give him a chance to play over here. I think, finally, he did. He’s a kid that has always been blessed with good skating ability, he can defend, he can move pucks. But he was one of those guys you always (thought) there’s another level to him.
Högberg has extensive experience playing in the SHL. He was loaned this season to a club in the second-tier Swedish league (Allsvenskan), not an SHL team. Why is that?
To loan to a Swedish Elite League team, you have to stay there all season. The only reason (Linus) Sandin can (play in the SHL this season on loan) is because he still has a contract there, and we can just recall him. So in order for Högberg to play over there, he had to play in the Allsvenskan. That’s why a lot of those guys are now playing in the Allsvenskan rather than the Swedish Elite League.