DETROIT - Despite needing to upgrade their pool of defense prospects, the Detroit Red Wings felt they couldn't bypass a talented forward like Jonatan Berggren with their third pick in last month's draft.
And when director of European scouting Hakan Andersson endorses the selection, it carries more weight.
Andersson likened Berggren to Nashville's Viktor Arvidsson, a natural comparison since they're both small, skilled products of Swedish club Skelleftea.
Arvidsson (5-9, 180) has averaged 30 goals and 61 points the past two seasons. Berggren turns 18 on Monday, so he's several years away from the NHL. He'll return to Skelleftea's junior team, where he led the league in scoring (18 goals, 57 points in 38 games).