Devils preventing Bergfors to go to the WJC

The New Jersey Devils has said to the Swedish junior team management that Bergfors is a no go because they are thinking about promoting him to the NHL team (http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/sport/story/0,2789,744974,00.html). Is he really that close to being called up?

He has scored 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 10 games and looking at the Albany roster, I would think there are other players that are closer to being called up.

The Swedish coach is obviously frustrated, although not surprised.
"The Devils think it is more important for Bergfors to play a minute in the NHL than to compete in the World Junior Championships. I find that weird. For an 18-year old a WJC in Canada is as big as it gets", the coach is quoted.

I still have gut feeling Bergfors will end up on the Swedish roster, making him Team Sweden's second best forward (after Nicklas Bäckström, undrafted) and obviously a key player.

This really p***es me off. It's not like he is playing a major part in the Devils this season, is he?

As I am travelling for the WJC this year, I really hope Devils will change their mind. Would love to see him there!

The Swedes have a good point. See the minutes Parise is getting. Don't get it. Let the kid go play for his Country and showcase his talents.

:shakehead let him play in the WJC i mean c'mon he's 18

:shakehead let him play in the WJC i mean c'mon he's 18

Gotta agree. First off, I highly doubt that he'll even get recalled from the AHL. There are plenty of Rats who should get the nod before we even think of promoting Bergfors. Give this kid a chance to shine and get major ice time.

I concur. If there is anything that will boost his confidence it will be playing for you rcountry.

I'm with the consensus, let him go. I want to see him play live.

I have to disagree. As nice it would be to have more than Jeff Frazee representing the Devils at the WJCs, the primary concern is Bergfors' development as a player. Development is a lot more than just stats, it's adjusting to a new style of play, a faster professional game, and working within the Devils system. The Devils organization must feel Bergfors would not benefit as a player playing the WJCs, so there's no reason.

Oh, and while I'm only a 22-year old engineering student, I would imagine more 18 year old hockey players dream of making it to the NHL moreso than the WJCs.

It's a two week tournament against the best young players in the world. I don't think that would hurt his development. I'm sure he'd rather be an NHL player than play in the WJ, but he'll get his shot eventually.

Bergfors has been cleared to play for Sweden. Expect him to get top line minutes.

Bergfors has been cleared to play for Sweden. Expect him to get top line minutes.

It'll be fun to watch him. Team Canada never has any Devils prospects, Lou just doesnt like drafting Canadians anymore.

Bergfors has been cleared to play for Sweden. Expect him to get top line minutes.

What happened? Did the Devils just suddenly change their minds?

Good for team Sweden and all their fans that wanted to see him play. As for why the Devils tried to block him, I can only guess that they acted like many pro sports teams that don't want to risk their players in non-club related activities. :dunno:

It'll be fun to watch him. Team Canada never has any Devils prospects, Lou just doesnt like drafting Canadians anymore.

You boys still makin' hockey players up there? I thought they stopped playing on the NY border. ;)

You boys still makin' hockey players up there? I thought they stopped playing on the NY border. ;)

Psh, look around the league, we own it :p:

Psh, look around the league, we own it :p:


Don't look know but Bangladesh is flooding next year draft with the best talent in their league. Canada's days are numbered. :sarcasm:

It'll be fun to watch him. Team Canada never has any Devils prospects, Lou just doesnt like drafting Canadians anymore.
Do any canadians go to U-North Dakota? I swear it feels like we have to draft someone from UND in the first or second round every year.

Zajac is Canadian.

It'll be fun to watch him. Team Canada never has any Devils prospects, Lou just doesnt like drafting Canadians anymore.

Lou doesn't like drafting Canadians, eh? Here's a list of Canadians the Devils have drafted in the last 4 drafts:

Mark Fraser - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 3 #84 overall 2005 NHL Entry Draft

Travis Zajac - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 1 #20 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Josh Disher (G) - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 6 #185 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Pierre-Luc Leblond - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 7 #216 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft


...more to follow

Lou just doesnt like drafting Canadians anymore.

Lou doesn't like drafting Canadians, eh? Here's a list of Canadians the Devils have drafted in the last 4 drafts:

Mark Fraser - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 3 #84 overall 2005 NHL Entry Draft

Travis Zajac - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 1 #20 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Josh Disher (G) - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 6 #185 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Pierre-Luc Leblond - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 7 #216 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Tyler Eckford - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 7 #217 overall 2004 NHL Entry Draft

Jason Smith (G) - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 6 #197 overall 2003 NHL Entry Draft

Joey Tenute - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 8 #261 overall 2003 NHL Entry Draft

Ahren Nittel - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 3 #85 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

Eric Johansson - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 6 #187 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

Dan Glover - Selected by New-Jersey Devils round 8 #250 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

However, if you look at rounds 1-5 (much more likely to make the team than 6-8) he's only drafted three canadians.

However, if you look at rounds 1-5 (much more likely to make the team than 6-8) he's only drafted three canadians.

Regardless, the quote was "Lou doesn't like drafting Canadians anymore". Whether it was first round or 8th round, Canadians were still drafted in the last 4 drafts.

Regardless, the quote was "Lou doesn't like drafting Canadians anymore". Whether it was first round or 8th round, Canadians were still drafted in the last 4 drafts.
I figured he meant Lou doesn't like taking Canadians with high picks, because any GM who doesn't draft Canadians is not going to have a very good team. It is surprising that he only drafted those few Canadians in the past four years.

Guess the Devils feel the WJCs would be good for Bergfors. Good luck to Bergfors.

I figured he meant Lou doesn't like taking Canadians with high picks, because any GM who doesn't draft Canadians is not going to have a very good team.

That's a load of crap. Lou, Dave, and the Devils draft the best player available regardless if they're from the United States, Sweden, Canada, or anywhere else. They've been doing that ever since Lou came to NJ. The fact the Devils won the Stanley Cup 3 times in the last 10 years is proof that the policy works.

Guess the Devils feel the WJCs would be good for Bergfors. Good luck to Bergfors.



That's a load of crap. Lou, Dave, and the Devils draft the best player available regardless if they're from the United States, Sweden, Canada, or anywhere else. They've been doing that ever since Lou came to NJ. The fact the Devils won the Stanley Cup 3 times in the last 10 years is proof that the policy works.
Jesus, it's just an observation. I was wondering when someone was going to throw in the 3 cups thing, we can't seem to have a thread without it. I'm a Devils fan and I'm getting sick of it.

It's not a criticism, I was just saying that its funny that we've drafted so few Canadians in the last few years, considering half the league is Canadian.