Blackhawks’ prospect, Victor Ejdsell, has been absolutely on fire since being acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks. Before coming to the NHL this season as a free agent, Ejdsell played overseas in Sweden for Husqvarna Vatterstad 1971, or HV 71, and racked up an impressive 34 points (20 G, 14 A) with a 5 +/- rating in just 50 games. He was highly sought after by three NHL teams, Nashville, Detroit and Chicago.
Ejdsell originally signed with the Nashville Predators, but in the end, the Blackhawks were able to get their guy. Chicago acquired him as part of the Ryan Hartman trade in February. Since his arrival to the NHL in February, things have been pretty hectic for him, but he is excited to have ended up in Chicago.
On Feb. 26, Victor Ejdsell was traded from Nashville to Chicago.
On March 21, Ejdsell went from Sweden to Rockford
On March 26, Ejdsell will make his Blackhawks debut.
“It’s been going so fast I haven’t thought about how crazy it is,” he said. “I’m super excited to be here.”
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 26, 2018
Victor Ejdsell Debuts For The Blackhawks
Before his first game as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, Victor was interviewed and asked about what he brings to the table and how he felt to be a Blackhawk. Here, Ejdsell breaks down his game and gives us his expectations on transitioning from a European style of play to the NHL:
Ahead of his @NHL debut, Victor Ejdsell says he plans to bring his “solid, two-way game” to tonight’s game against the Sharks. #Blackhawks #CHIvsSJS pic.twitter.com/SPztLdQB9t
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 26, 2018
Ejdsell only played in 6 games for the Blackhawks at the end of the season. He recorded 1 point (1A) with a -1 +/- rating during his first taste of the NHL. At the conclusion of the Blackhawks’ forgettable 2017-18 season, Victor was re-assigned to Rockford to gain some more experience and to also contribute to their AHL Calder Cup playoff run.
Is Ejdsell the Real Deal or Another Bryan Bickell?
Ejdsell is currently lighting it up with the Rockford IceHogs on their quest for the franchise’s first-ever Calder Cup. Right now, Ejdsell has 8 points (5G, 3A) with a 4 +/- rating in 9 games. Those are video game numbers, maybe even better. He has had a knack for being in the right spot at the right time this postseason, as shown here on a Game-Winning Goal (GWG) against the Chicago Wolves in Round One that clinched the series for the IceHogs.
A TRIPLE OVERTIME winner by @NHLBlackhawks prospect @victorejdsell clinched the series for the @goicehogs in the First Round of @TheAHL #CalderCup on Thursday night. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/db98frebSa
— NHL (@NHL) April 28, 2018
Former Blackhawk, Brian Bickell, also had a similar playoff run back in 2013 when the Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in a memorable matchup for the Stanley Cup. During his playoff run in 2013, Bickell found a home in every Blackhawks’ fan’s heart as he single-handedly helped the team defeat Boston in the Cup-clinching game.
That’s just the thing though. The 2013 postseason was just about all Bickell contributed as a Blackhawks player. One decent postseason and a huge contract that he never lived up to. I hope that is not the case for Victor Ejdsell as well. Ejdsell does have a similar build to Bickell, but the more I watch Ejdsell, the more I believe he will not fall victim to the same fate as Bickell.
Keep your eyes on the huge guy who is wearing number 39. Check out those handles and the awareness on the ice!
🚨PENALTY SHOT ALERT🚨
Victor Ejdsell with the @goicehogs goal! #MBvsRFDpic.twitter.com/UEDYwmrxmR
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 12, 2018
Here are some highlights from Victor’s time overseas in Sweden. Watch how well he moves with the puck and how accurate his shot is. Also, keep in mind that he is 6’5″ while doing all of this.
Only time will tell, but as of right now, I think the Blackhawks got a steal in the Ryan Hartman trade and they also gained a 2018 1st Round pick in the process, 27th overall.
Bravo, Mr. Bowman. Bravo.
