Next up on my list is forward Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson! Forsbacka-Karlsson played in 28 games for the Bruins last season, over which he produced three goals and six assists. He also played in 28 games for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, through which he tallied seven goals and nine assists. He then appeared in four playoff games for the P-Bruins, but he failed to record a point in any of them. Drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Bruins, Forsbacka-Karlsson has played in 86 career AHL games, over which he has produced 22 goals and 26 assists. As for his NHL career, before this season he had played in just one other NHL game in 2016-17, in which he failed to record a point. The 22-year-old center has only played for the Bruins organization over his a little over two season professional career after turning pro following his sophomore season at Boston University in 2016-17.
Forsbacka-Karlsson was given an extended look at third-line center in Boston this season, but in the end he was unable to do enough to stick. Earlier this summer, it was announced that he will return to his native Sweden to play for at least this upcoming season, primarily to be closer to family, but he said he will eventually return to Boston. During his time with the big club this season, he was mostly tasked with stopping opposing teams from scoring, so he wasn’t given much of an offensive opportunity. However, down in Providence, he was given more of an offensive role, and showed he is capable of putting up some points at the AHL level at least. However, in order to stick on the Bruins’ roster, he will have to become more consistent. He’s a reliable two-way center, but could stand to shoot more and while he is a smooth skater, he could also improve his skating and get more power out of his strides. However, if he can figure those things out, he looks to be a talented two-way center with offensive upside, and could end up being a strong third-line center for the Bruins and bring them some much needed depth-scoring while also being relied upon to shut down opposing teams.
Since he is returning to Sweden for the year, Bruins fans can’t expect any contributions from him to the team next season. However, for fans of the Växjö Lakers HC of the SHL, which is the team he will play for over in Sweden, or for Bruins fans looking to watch him overseas, expect to see the same responsible two-way player. Hopefully, he can be a little more consistent overseas and start to shoot more, which will likely lead to more offensive production. That should help his confidence, and then upon his return to North America, he will hopefully be ready for the NHL full-time. But, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with him this season as well as in the ones to come.
Hockey Addict 