Flames Sign Sjostrom

After inking Jay Bouwmeester and Adam Pardy today, Darryl Sutter finished up by signing former Ranger (and Calgary Hitman) Fredrik Sjostrom to a 2 year, 750k/year deal. The fleet footed right winger was a decent scorer in Junior and a high draft pick, but has never really done anything at the NHL level. In 358 games, he’s scored 41 goals and 88 points.

I could go on, but I feel a comparison to a current Flame would best illustrate the kind of player Sjostrom is. First Freddy's advanced ES stats from last year:

Qual Comp: -0.02 (3rd worst on the team)

corsi: 2.0

ESP/60: 0.85

GFON/60: 1.53

plus/minus: -14

And now, the Flames player:

Qual Comp: -0.17 (worst amongst regular skaters)

corsi: 12.9

ESP/60: 0.76

GFON/60: 0.95

plus/minus: -9

The similaries between these guys is actually uncanny. Sjostrom was chosen 11th overall by the Coyotes. Flames guy was 10th overall. Both were born in 1983. Both are penalty killers and both are probably right around replacement level for NHL forwards. In the end, this is a pure depth move that probably won’t hurt or help the team much either way.

UPDATE – despite his yawn-worthy production, Sjostrom was apparently well liked over at Blueshirt Banter.

by Kent Wilson