Andreas Englund has decided to start the season in Sweden, but that doesn’t mean he’ll finish it there.
The 24-year-old blueliner, a restricted free agent, signed a contract with Västerviks IK in the Swedish league Sunday but he does have an out-clause if he has the option to return to the NHL.
Though he suited up for 24 games with the Senators last season, there are no guarantees he’ll get a qualifying offer from the organization when they’re due Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. Drafted No. 40 overall in the 2014 draft, both sides may determine that it’s time for a change of scenery.
He’s been with the club for four seasons and hasn’t been able to establish himself here on a full-time basis while suiting up for 288 games in the AHL. The Senators have other defensive prospects coming in and this gives Englund an opportunity to get scouted while waiting to see what happens with the season.
Västerviks IK GM Emil Georgsson said the club will be happy to have Englund. In an unusual twist, it sounds like a local hotel and restaurant are sponsoring the contract.
“That we get the opportunity to strengthen the squad with this type of player is good and (makes) an already competitive situation even stronger,” said Georgsson in a statement.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
