Flyers Top 25 Under 25: Jack Berglund provides some size

Welcome to Broad Street Hockey’s Summer 2024 Top Under 25! The series is back and with the Philadelphia Flyers focusing so much on the future, it’s more important than ever. Join us as we rank the 25 best players under the age of 25 for the next few weeks.

No. T-24: Jack Berglund

Yesterday, we began our list with Flyers second rounder Spencer Gill, and today, we’ll shift to a guy taken only 8 picks ahead of him in 2024 – center Jack Berglund.

The 2024 crop of Swedish prospects was generally considered to be sub-par, with zero Swedish prospects going in the first round of the draft. Berglund, at pick 51, was the fourth Swede taken in the draft, behind Lucas Petterson (Anaheim), Alfons Freij (Winnipeg), and Gabriel Eliasson (Ottawa). Generally, by most prospect watchers and experts, Berglund was considered a third or fourth-round level prospect. So, without further ado, let’s get into why the Flyers might have seen more in Berglund, and why they took a chance on him at No. 51.

2023-24 Primary League/Team: Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell) 2023-24 Statistics: 15 G, 19 A in 41 GP Age as of 9/15/2024: 18 (4/10/2006) Acquired Via: 2024 NHL Draft - Round 2, Pick 51

How did Berglund\'s 2023-24 season go? Is his stock trending up or down from where it was entering the year?

Berglund’s season in the J20 Nationell, the highest level junior league in Sweden, was definitely a mixed bag. The point production was just alright (.83 p/g), and according to Elite Prospects Draft Guide, “It wasn’t uncommon to put on Berglund’s J20 tape and watch him flatly struggle at times.” That certainly did not increase his stock throughout the year, so what could have done it for the Flyers?

Well, in his limited action in the SHL with Färjestad, Berglund excelled and stood out for some of his physical abilities. He only registered 1 point in 8 games, but that wasn’t the takeaway of those who watched Berglund’s games. Against the pros, Berglund did everything you’d want to see out of a future bottom-six center. By the limited game reports there are on Berglund, he was a menace along the boards and in puck battles, unafraid to cut towards the middle of the ice, defensively responsible, and a high-IQ player. When he’s beat, he’s typically undone from his skating limitations rather than his hockey IQ – a player archetype the Flyers have helped to fix before under Brent Flahr (Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink).

What are we expecting from Berglund this season? What should we be looking for from him?

Berglund will be getting much more time with the SHL Färjestad club this season, so it’ll be a real test for him to see if last season’s SHL performances were sustainable. I wouldn’t panic if Berglund’s statistics were extremely unimpressive in his first full SHL season, as it’s not too common for D+1 players to excel in the league of much-older and stronger professionals. So, in terms of evaluating his play, I’d look towards reports that focus on the development of his skills – particularly his skating – to think about Berglund’s ongoing development.

Another important note: Berglund is also in contention to make the Sweden World Juniors team, so that could be a really cool chance to witness the skills of Berglund against other prospects in the same age class.

How does Berglund fit in the Flyers’ rebuild? Is it likely he’s going to be a part of the next good Flyers team?

Considering the Flyers black-hole of good center prospects aside from Jett Luchanko, there’s certainly a chance that Berglund plays a role on the next good Flyers team. For the hard-working, 3C archetype that the Flyers likely are hoping for with Berglund, contending teams always need these types of players on cheap ELC deals. If we think the Flyers timeline begins in 2026, Berglund’s best case development path probably lines up with when the Flyers would need cheap, useful bottom-sixers.

What do we think Berglund’s ultimate NHL upside is, and how likely is it that he gets to something approaching that?

I wasn’t too high on the Jack Berglund pick myself, because the methodology behind the draft pick was not what I want to see out of Brent Flahr and the Flyers. Essentially, after picking him, Flahr admitted that the Flyers had him projected as a 3C with potential room to grow. Picking a guy with a safer floor, versus a player that might have more upside, is not something I love in the second round. But, to be fair to Berglund, getting a potential bottom-six center would still be a net positive result for a second-rounder. It might not be my preferred pick, but I’ve come around that Berglund’s a completely fine pick, and Berglund has the physical tools to meet that 3C ceiling.

Previously in Philadelphia Flyers Summer 2024 Top 25 Under 25:

Intro / Honorable Mentions

No. T-24: Spencer Gill

Philadelphia Flyers 2024 Top 25 Under 25, No. T-24: Jack Berglund

Talking Points