Erik Källgren has been signed by the Maple Leafs to a two-year ELC* for an AAV of $750,000.
* a smart commenter noticed that Källgren had his ELC with Arizona and terminated it. So this contract is basically a fake ELC where it’s the same two-way, two-year thing he would have had, but the minor’s salary is not mandated by the CBA. We don’t actually know what that is at this point.
Källgren, 24, appeared in 21 regular season games for Växjö HC and posted a 12-9-0 record with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. In 10 postseason games this season, the Stockholm, Sweden native posted a 7-3-0 record with a .937 save percentage, capturing the Swedish Hockey League Championship.
Källgren was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the seventh round (183rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Växjö is, of course, Pontus Holmberg’s team and the current SHL champion. Interestingly he’s already signed to play for Frölunda in the SHL next season, so there is the option for him to spend his time there or on the Marlies.
After a very good junior career in Sweden, Källgren was not good enough to make the WJC team in 2016, but didn’t play. Since then he’s been good in Allsvenskan hockey, tried the AHL and ECHL for the Coyotes organization, and went back to the SHL where he’s had a mixed set of results. That’s not even counting the trip to Finland to play for most of 2019-2020.
He was, however, on fire in the SHL playoffs, and nothing gets you an NHL contract like recent success.
As yet another goalie to join the Marlies/Growlers crew and provide depth and competition in the crease, this is a great add. Now sign Holmberg, too, Leafs.