• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Buffalo Sabres

Berglund’s Time May Be Over With Sabres

By Jeff Seide December 17th, 2018

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp


Is Patrik Berglund sick, or just sick of playing for the Buffalo Sabres?

Just hours before facing the Washington Capitals on Saturday, the Sabres suspended Berglund for failure to report to the team. The 30-year-old forward had missed the previous two games with what head coach Phil Housley called an illness.

“From my knowledge talking to the medical staff, he was ill, so we handled it that way,” said Housley. “Obviously, it developed into something different, and [general manager Jason Botterill] and the management are handling that.”

Violating Terms of the CBA

According to the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the conditions for which a club can terminate a player’s contract are pretty simple: “The club may terminate the standard player contract if the player should fail, refuse, or neglect to obey the Club’s rules governing training and conduct of players, if such failure, refusal, or neglect should constitute a material breach of this standard player contract.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced that forward Patrik Berglund has been suspended indefinitely by the organization due to failure to report to the team. There will be no further information or comment at this time.

— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) December 15, 2018

Right now, Berglund is considered in breach of his contract – he missed an event that he was supposed to attend. The Sabres have the right to void the remainder of his deal without any ramifications on the salary cap. It could become a case similar to that of Jake Dotchin and the Tampa Bay Lightning; another battle between the league and the players’ union.

Re-Visiting Bergland’s Contract

Details about Berglund, who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade on July 1, are not easy to come by. He has gone AWOL. Calls to Berglund’s agent, Peter Wallen, have not been returned.

Patrik Berglund St. Louis Blues

Patrik Berglund had three 20-goal seasons with the Blues. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Berglund, while with the Blues, had a full no-trade clause until June 30, 2018. As of July 1, when the trade happened, it became a partial no-trade clause. His updated list of teams was not received in time and therefore the trade was legal and binding.

It’s a little puzzling that Doug Armstrong, the GM of the Blues, didn’t check with Berglund or his agent to find out if the Sabres were on the list of acceptable teams he’d agree to be traded to. The harsh reality is the onus completely lies with Berglund’s agent to provide a list.

Once the trade was official, Berglund reported to Buffalo. He appeared to be perfectly fine with his new team. In training camp this season, Berglund, an elder Swede on a franchise with several young countrymen, was jokingly called “The Swedish Godfather” by Jack Eichel in Sabres training camp. “All the Swedes just follow him around,” said the face of the franchise.

Many penciled in Berglund as the Sabres No. 2 center, giving newcomer Casey Mittelstadt time to adjust to the NHL. The ten-year veteran is as comfortable playing center as he is on the wing.

Patrik Berglund

Patrik Berglund has four points in 23 games for the Sabres. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

After the trade, Berglund admitted he thought the Blues would likely move him, but was excited about a new adventure. “It made me really excited to go play somewhere else, especially here [in Buffalo], where I saw there was so much talent in this room,” said Berglund.

It’s possible that now, with the season almost a third over and the Sabres having success, Berglund is not satisfied with his limited role with the team (he’s averaging 13:03 of ice time per game compared to almost 16 minutes with his old club). He may see an even more grim future with so many young Sabres prospects in Rochester pushing for time with the big club.

Berglund Was Supposed to Add Depth

Berglund was drafted 25th overall by the Blues in the 2006 NHL Draft. He played the first 10 seasons with the club, netting 170 goals and collecting 156 assists for 326 points in 717 regular season games, including three 20-goal seasons. He has three years remaining on his current contract with an annual salary cap hit of $3.85 million.

Botterill made the O’Reilly trade to shake up the locker room and clear some future payroll – taking on Berglund was a salary cap dump by the Blues.

Ryan O'Reilly Sabres

Ryan O’Reilly was the Sabres No. 2 center. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

At the time of the trade, many Sabres fans were soured by Berglund’s contract. Though he was supposed to bring depth to the bottom six, it has happened yet. The veteran has dressed for 23 games this season – roughly two-thirds of the team’s games. He missed five games with an upper-body injury and was a healthy scratch for a few others. He has two goals, two assists and a minus-five rating.

If the Sabres are able to void Berglund’s contract, for many, the trade becomes better. He’s not been a great fit, nor does he Factor (pun intended) into the Sabres long-term plans. Furthermore, if Berglund is removed from the team, it opens up an opportunity for someone to fill his spot at a fraction of the cost.

Related – Ryan O’Reilly Trade: Who Won?

Possible Outcomes for Berglund

According to Elliotte Friedman, a sports journalist with Sportsnet, “everyone involved is trying to work here to find a solution.”

As Friedman said during his report, both sides likely want to rip the Band-Aid and end this situation before it becomes an issue. It’s not an easy one to fix. If Bergland walks away from his contract, he’s turning his back on a contract that he’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. He’d be throwing away upwards of $10 million.

The Sabres may try to unload Berglund via trade and retain part of his salary and cap hit. Another option is for the Sabres to bite part of the bullet and pay Berglund his salary over the term in advance as a buyout. This would offer some cap relief and a roster spot.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s likely Berglund has played his last game in a Sabres sweater.

  • Tags
  • Patrik Berglund
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 24th 6:15 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Find Success Against Red Wings

Jan 24th 6:10 PM
Column

Canadiens’ News & Rumours: Hot Start, Armia, Mete & More

Jan 24th 6:00 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: Road Trip, Lineups, Stützle & More

Jan 24th 5:50 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ Notebook: NHL Players to Watch & Overseas Ice

Jan 24th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

3 Takeaways From Canadiens’ 5-2 Win Over Canucks

Jan 24th 3:15 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Michigan, Gushchin & Gordin

Jan 24th 3:05 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Chytil, Dubois Traded, Lafreniere & More

Jan 24th 2:55 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Getting the Best of Curtis Lazar

Jan 24th 2:05 PM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Are in Good Hands With Jack Hughes

Jan 24th 1:35 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks Seeing Offense From Erik Karlsson But Defense Is Lacking

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information