Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Tip Of The Ice Berglund

January 18, 2019, 4:29 PM ET [7 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
In his brief six-month stint with the Buffalo Sabres, Patrik Berglund was a man of very few words. The 6’4”, 225 lb. power forward was a one of five pieces acquired by the Sabres in the blockbuster trade that sent Ryan O’Reilly to the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues acquired centre O'Reilly from the Sabres for two draft picks, including a 2019 first-rounder, plus Berglund, Tage Thompson and Vlad Sobotka. The Blues also agreed to pay a $7.5 million contract bonus O'Reilly was owed by the end of the day on July 1.

Berglund was reportedly not thrilled with his involvement in the O’Reilly trade, and he may have been able to avoid being included had his agent properly filed some paperwork in a timely manner on his client’s behalf.

On June 30, Berglund's full no-trade protection on his contract expired and became a modified no-trade clause, which would have allowed him to submit a list of teams to which he would not accept a trade. However, Berglund didn't immediately submit his list to the Blues, and the rest is history.

Once he landed in Buffalo, Berglund was a man of very few words. He would smile and wave. But would rarely speak with reporters after training camp practices and exhibition games. I chalked it up to Berglund being a shy, introverted man. Perhaps he let his on-ice game do his talking for him.

Fans and media never got a chance to get to know the real Patrik Berglund. In 23 games, Berglund scored just two goals and two assists, putting him on pace for a career-worst season. Berglund played the first ten seasons of his NHL career for St. Louis.

His time in Buffalo came to an abrupt halt in early December when he missed a practice and a game against the Washington Capitals. That is when Sabres GM Jason Botterill placed “The Godfather” on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the 30-year old winger’s contract.

The Berglund matter came to a conclusion days after he was suspended indefinitely for failing to report to the Sabres. At the time, it was thought that Berglund was pissed off at being dumped down to the fourth and fifth lines.

On December 15, the Sabres issued the following statement regarding the sensitive Berglund matter:

“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”



On December 20, the Sabres put an end to the drama revolving around Patrik Berglund. Botterill placed Berglund on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. When Berglund cleared waivers without being claimed by another NHL team, his contract was terminated which meant that Berglund’s remaining $3.85M AAV ( 3 remaining years) and the balance of his 2018-19 salary were cleansed from Buffalo’s salary cap.

In the end, Berglund chose of his own volition to skate away from $12,579,032 in guaranteed salary that was owed to him.

Who does that? Who leaves nearly $13 million on the table and walks away?

On Friday, Berglund broke his silence when he spoke with the local newspaper “VLT” in his hometown of Västerås, Sweden.

Uffe Bodin, Editor in chief of @hockeysverige translated the Berglund article.

Come to find out, Berglund has been suffering from personal issues for some time. Berglund admitted that money can't buy him improved health and mental well being. I give Berglund a lot of credit for walking away from his unhappy life in the NHL to seek treatment for an issue that has been affecting him.





How many people do you know in your circle of family and friends who have the courage to walk away from fame and fortune to seek professional help? We all know people who would "suck it up" and not walk away. I respect Berglund for his conviction and his admission that he needed help for a serious matter that he has been living with.

Berglund also admitted that he feels free today. No more burden of keeping a brave face when he is feeling badly inside. Berglund is being honest with himself.






Berglund thanked the Buffalo Sabres organization and their fans. He said he didn't mean to walk out on his Sabres teammates. Berglund accepted full responsibility for his actions.





Once healthy and in a good place, will Berglund return to playing the game that he used to love so much?





I'll be cheering for Berglund whether he returns to the NHL or not. I applaud him for bearing his soul. I respect him for seeking professional help and for including his family, friends in his struggles. He can afford the best care available in the world. I wish him well on his journey to recovery and his improved physical and mental health.




I hope Patrik Bergund finds the happiness he is looking for.



**



Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is having himself a fantastic rookie season. Dahlin, 18, has exceeded all expectations. He's riding career-best care five game point streak. If he earns a point Friday night in Vancouver, the young Swede will become the first 18 year old defenseman to score a point in six straight games.


















Join the Discussion: » 7 Comments » Post New Comment
More from GARTH'S CORNER
» Hailing Taxis
» He With The Gold Makes The Rules
» Sedentary Seven
» The Sedentary Seven
» GadZuccs