Blues to sign Swedish winger

Earlier on Saturday, we looked at some of the remaining international free agents that could attract NHL interest in the coming weeks.  One of those is winger Marcus Sylvegard.  It appears he has found his next team as SportExpressen’s Johan Svensson reports that Sylvegard is set to sign a one-year, entry-level contract with St. Louis.

The 24-year-old wasn’t particularly productive during his first few SHL seasons but had a breakout campaign in 2022-23, his second year with Malmo.  That year, Sylvegard picked up 17 goals and 24 assists in 52 games and helped them avoid relegation to the second-tier Allsvenskan.

Sylvegard followed up that performance with another 41-point effort this season, notching 23 goals and 18 helpers in 51 games with Vaxjo.  However, he struggled in the playoffs, collecting just three assists in eight games although Svensson notes that Sylvegard was playing through an injury during the postseason.

Sylvegard also had interest from several other teams over the last couple of months, Florida, Colorado, and Calgary among them.  Having said that, he profiles as more of a bottom-six type of energy player so it wouldn’t be realistic to expect Sylvegard to put up big numbers in the NHL.  But on a Blues roster that should have a couple of openings in their bottom six with Kasperi Kapanen and Sammy Blais sitting as pending unrestricted free agents, there should be a chance for Sylvegard to push for a roster spot in training camp this fall.