Atlanta Thrashers Sign Niclas Bergfors to One-Year Deal

Rick Dudley, General Manager of the Thrashers, announced today that Atlanta has signed restricted free agent forward Niclas Bergfors to a one-year deal. The deal came just days before training camp begins. The contract will see him earn $900,000 next season, and next season he will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

Bergfors, 23, totaled 21 goals and 44 points in 81 games during his rookie campaign last season with the New Jersey Devils and Thrashers. Seventeen of those points were notched during the 27 games he played as a Thrasher. He also posted six game-winning goals, which tied him for 10th in the league.

Bergfors placed fourth in the league among rookies in goals and points, which earned him a spot on the 2009-10 NHL All-Rookie Team.

The 5'11", 195-pound right wing has played in 257 American Hockey League contests with Albany and Lowell, registering 64 goals and 86 assists for 150 points.

A native of Sodertalje, Sweden, Bergfors was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He came to Atlanta in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade that occured on February 4, 2010. Defenseman Johnny Oduya, forward Patrice Cormier, and a first round draft choice in 2010 were also shipped to Atlanta, while defender Anssi Salmela was sent to New Jersey.

This article and more news, rumours and speculation can also be found at Sports Haze.

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