As the Bruins begin the process of revamping their depth both up front and on defense, here's a name that could end up being in the conversation.
The Bruins announced Monday that they have signed Swedish right wing Jesper Froden to a one-year contract with an NHL cap hit of $842,500.
Froden is 26 years old and listed at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds. He has played the last two seasons with Skelleftea AIK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the highest level in Sweden.
After being named the SHL's Rookie of the Year in 2019-20, Froden was one of the top scorers in the league this past season, tying for third in goals (22) and 10th in points (40) while playing 52 games.
To put that in some perspective, 25-year-old former Bruin Peter Cehlarik also had 40 points in the SHL this season.
Froden, who was never an NHL draft pick, recently played for Sweden in the World Championship, recording three goals and an assist in five games.
Froden will know at least one familiar face in Boston, as he played with David Pastrnak during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, when Pastrnak played in Sweden before being drafted by the Bruins.
"The Bruins are very pleased to be adding Jesper to our organization," Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in a statement. "We have tracked Jesper's growth in the SHL where he has proven to be highly productive, competitive, and a smart, two-way player. Jesper is very excited to join a competitive team with the opportunity to compete for a roster spot."
The Bruins will certainly give a shot to anyone who has the potential to upgrade their bottom six, a group that collectively scored just one goal in Boston's six-game loss to the Islanders.
Whether Froden will be able to do that obviously remains to be seen, and expectations shouldn't be set too high, but as Sweeney said, he'll get an "opportunity to compete for a roster spot."
Here are a couple Youtube highlights of Froden: