The Detroit Red Wings never fail to make surprising moves. It was just announced that the Red Wings are signing KHL standout goalie, Magnus Hellberg to a one-year deal.
The Detroit Red Wings just announced via. twitter that they are signing KHL goalie, Magnus Hellberg to a one-year deal.
Hellberg, 31, spent this past season in the KHL playing for Sochi HC. In his time with Sochi HC this season, he was able to put up some quite impressive numbers. In playing a total of 37 games this season he was able to put up a 2.42 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage while also recording five shutout performances.
It’s clear looking at those stats why a team like the Red Wings wanted to give him a chance. I mean, those are fairly good numbers and quite frankly, what do we have to lose right? He sucks we get a higher draft pick; If he does well, then we get a couple more points and gain more confidence going into next season.
Now, knowing that we signed a 31-year old goalie from the KHL, I’m assuming you guys are curious as to his background and if he has even played at a level as competivie as the NHL. Well, he has.
Hellberg was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the second-round of the 2011 NHL entry draft. He spent five seasons with a NHL organization and appeared in four NHL games.
He made one apperance with the Nashville Predators in the 2013-14 season. In that game, he walked away with a 4.92 goals-against average and a .750 save percentage. Not great for your first NHL game. However, he would later be given another chance with the New York Rangers.
Hellberg made three apperances with the New York Rangers. One in the 2015-16 season, two in the 2016-17 season.
In his first apperance with the New York Rangers he walked away with a 6.00 goals-against average and a .667 save percentage. However, he seemed to do much better in those two games in the 2016-17 season.
Hellberg in those two games with the New York Rangers was able to post a goals-against average of 1.53 and a save percentage of .929. Pretty good stats if you ask me. But, there wasn’t enough there for a team to continue keeping him apart of their roster.
The following season he decided that he wanted to go play in the KHL with Kunlun Red Star and has since represented Sweeden in the Olympic Winter Games, and plated for team Sweeden in the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
It’s no secret that this was nothing more than a depth signing but who knows. We’ve seen crazier stuff happen than a guy figuring it out later on in his career. This could become the Red Wings next star goalie for all we know. But for now, it’s nothing more than a depth signing.