The New York Rangers announced on Wednesday morning that they’ve agreed to terms with forward Karl Henriksson on a three-year, entry-level contact. Henriksson was selected by the Rangers 58th overall back in 2019. He was selected in the second round.
Henriksson, 20-years-old, skated in 44 games in the Swedish Hockey League this season. With Frolunda, he recorded seven points, having scored one goal along with six assists. As per the official press release, Henriksson was one of only 13 junior (U20) players in the SHL (and one of only eight junior forwards) who registered at least six assists and at least seven points this season.
Over three seasons in the SHL, Henriksson, from Malmo, Sweden, skated in 54 games, all with Frolunda HC. In 2019, he played with Frolunda’s J20 team, amassing 41 points on six goals and 35 assists. While doing so in the SuperElite league, he also represented Sweden in a number of tournaments. At the 2020 IIHF World Juniors Championship, the forward helped his country to secure a bronze medal. In 2019 at the U18 World Championship, he secured a gold medal, and at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he contributed to a silver medal victory.
Overall, I believe Karl Henriksson is another promising prospect for the New York Rangers. The team has been able to score choice players such as Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere over the past two NHL seasons. With talented players like that, I believe that centre is a great area of need and Henriksson can help fill that hole. There’s a lot of pressure placed on the winger, as he makes his first trip to North America, however, I believe that he will rise to the occasion.