Jonatan Berggren’s future with Red Wings in doubt as offseason approaches - Report

As the 2025 NHL season rolls around, Swedish winger Jonatan Berggren could be at an inflection point in his career with the Detroit Red Wings. However, his long-term role with Detroit remains shaky even after signing with the team on a one-year "prove-it" extension with a cap hit of just about $1.825 million on June 30, 2025.

As a result, the 2025–26 season is likely to be the tipping point as to whether he sticks around as a core piece of the franchise or ends up being moved as internal competition and trade speculation heat up.

Jonatan Berggren must prove his value in 2025–26

Berggren himself has even openly acknowledged the importance of this contract, referring to it as a “prove-it deal” and adding how excited he was to show his worth with new head coach Todd McLellan behind the bench. He played the most games in any one NHL season of his career, 75, last season, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists, solid numbers but not enough to ensure his long-term standing.

This situation is being closely monitored by critics and analysts. Another stark evaluation stated that ‘Berggren is at the end of the rope’, as his margin for error is very small and the organizational leash is very short. Others have noted the two-fold possibility that he could either be a breakout part if he gets top-six ice time or a trade piece if he is a disappointment in taking the next step.Also in his way is the fact that Detroit has quite a crowded depth chart for his position.

Prospects like Nate Danielson, Amadeus Lombardi, Carter Mazur, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård are all tapping on the door for NHL minutes. If Berggren falters early and does not produce, Detroit might abandon its investment and flip him to vacate a forward spot for a prospect.Also Read: NHL trade rumors: Noah Dobson drawing serious trade interest from $2.1B Detroit Red Wings

Trade speculation puts pressure on Jonatan Berggren’s role

Compounding the chaos, trade talk surrounding defenseman Noah Dobson stood casual reports that the Red Wings could be including Berggren in a deal to strengthen their blue line.

Detroit's pitch to the Islanders, as sources told The Athletic in June, reportedly included forward J.T. Compher, draft picks and, of course, Jonatan Berggrеgеn. The fact that Berggren's name even came up in such discussions speaks to his precarious status in the organization, and deals of this type often find a way to happen, but no deal actually came to be.

Analyst weighs in on Jonatan Berggren’s future

Hockey analyst Rob Couch of NHLTradeRumors added a sharp perspective on Berggren’s situation, noting how Detroit has handled his career so far. “Jonatan Berggren has time and time again not been given a proper opportunity with the Red Wings. He had a strong showing in the NHL as a rookie in 2022-23 and then hasn’t been given the opportunity to perform again like he had and the Red Wings are still out of a playoff spot. He is now 25 years old and on a one-year deal where he is a RFA after the season. I think Detroit will end up trading him to a team that will make more use of him.”