This is because Mannheim expects him to leave once the Shark's training camp starts. I don't doubt at all, he would play a key role if he would stay the rest of the season, it's no secret Headcoach Gross and also GM Alavaara both like his power forward style. To me he's one of the most underestimated players of the Shark's prospects, probably because of his average junior stats and not being draftet. He's that type of player who never felt comfortable in junior hockey, though obviously the best german forward born in 98 he was excluded for the J18 WC as well as for the J20 WC because of his problematic relationship to some junior coaches of the junior hockey association. That's how you quickly end up in the bottom lines even in the juniors. Marco Sturm finally called him to play for the men's national team only 2 months after he turned pro. He scored 20 goals for a bottom-team of DEL and 9 goals for the nationalteam in his first 11 games, 4 goals in 2 games vs Czech Republic and was surprisingly member of the german team at the 2019 WC, where his limited role and icetime didn't allow to shine. Not surprisingly to me, he battled through and survived all Shark's camps - no question, Pete deBoer and all the other guys did see some hockey talent before he was allowed to give his debut Oct 2nd in Vegas still 20 years old. I believe, as a no name prospect, he had a little bit bad luck to make the team when there were so many weaknesses, of course he and Yurtaykin were quickly the first to held responsible though only played very few minutes. I think we all agree, that for example the 5 on 5 stats of all other players were probably the worst after the first 5-6 games even of the last season.
No question, still a lot to learn, especially about the Shark's system. But if you read between the lines, you can see circumstances which of course influenced scoring stats, Bergmann also wasn't constantly a 1st or 2nd line player in the Cuda team, nor played in a PP line all season long. To me he's definitely again one of the prospects which will compete for a spot in the shark's roster, especially because he's one of the very few players who is already game ready when it comes to physical aspects, he showed he can protect the puck behind the goal in the offensive zone and use his body to cause traffic in front of the net. Admittedly, he needs to work on his consictency and also needs for sure needs to learn the Shark's system. I believe he can develop into a player like Goodrow, he proved he can score when he was given a role which allowed to produce, especially enough icetime. If he keeps developing and improve and adapts to the specific Shark's and NHL hockeystyle, I can see him capable to add some much needed energy and power to the sharks 4th line and also score his points. To me, if he could mentally learn and adapt to the Shark's system, he's one of the few prospects who's ready to go, physically clearly ahead of most other prospects, someone who could become valuable especially in the playoffs. The question is always what do the Sharks want and need to add to the team - it's not about replacing a PP forward like Kane or Meier, it's about developing an effective and valuable 4th line. These points were probably the reason why the Shark's gave him 12 games last season, I bet many of us were focused on players like Blichfeld, but it's about playing a certain role and adding a certain quality they looked for. Very curious how the Sharks will decide, pretty sure it will be again something most don't expect.
Back to Mannheim: his limited role depends for sure only on Mannheim's expectation, he will soon leave towards Northamerica. For Bergmann, it's a great opportunity to prepare for the camps, doesn't matter if he plays 1st or 4th line as long as he gets icetime. And obviously, he's good enough to score even without powerplay time, so far the most goals 5 on 5, let's see how things develop. Tomorrow is the next game vs Munich.
) but he is a guy to watch out for if you like the Preds.
