On Tuesday, the St. Louis Blues announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) the signings of Swedish defenseman Samuel Johannesson and forward Marcus Silvegard. Both skaters played the 2023-2024 season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
Johannesson, 23, scored 11 goals and provided 16 assists for Orebro HK in the 2023-2024 season. Johannesson, considered the leader of the defense, finished with 27 total points.
Johannesson spent last season at Brynas IF, where he scored 32 points, had 8 goals and 24 assists.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Johannesson in the sixth round, 176th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Johannesson has signed a two-year contract with the Blues to develop his skills.
Similar to Johannesson, 24-year-old Marcus Silvegard played the 2023-2024 season in the SHL while suiting up for the Vaxjo Lakers.
Over his nine seasons in the SHL, Silvegard amassed an impressive total of 68 goals and 72 assists.
He had a remarkable year this season, scoring 23 goals and dishing out 18 assists, leading the team in points with 41.
From 2022 to 2023, he played in 52 games with the Malmö RedHawks, scoring 41 points, 17 goals, and 24 assists.
The Blues signed him to a one-year entry-level contract.
It could be a tough battle, but both players have a chance to secure a spot on the roster as the Blues make changes and strengthen their team with young players.
Johannesson has one year left on his contract, but fans shouldn't ignore Silvegard. He had an impressive season and caught the attention of the Blues for his play in 2023-2024.
Given his extensive experience, Silvegard is well-positioned to compete for a roster spot during training camp.
