Despite another loss, things went much better for most of the Florida Panthers prospects playing for Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan.
Goaltender Olof Glifford gave up early first period goals to Quentin Musty and Teddy Stiga, but was rock solid the rest of the way, finishing with 29 saves in a 2-1 loss to USA White. It was a nice bounce back game for the 19-year-old Glifford, who gave up seven goals to USA Blue on Sunday.
While Florida’s second-rounder in 2024, Linus Eriksson didn’t figure in the scoring, he was on the ice for Sweden’s only goal which was scored by Victor Eklund with a 1:06 into the second period, earning a plus. You can see Eriksson give Eklund a big hug after the right wing beat Carsen Musser.
Albert Wikman turned the puck over along the boards to Beckett Hendrickson, who set up Musty’s goal just eight seconds after opening puck drop. Oops!
Wikman was also on the ice for Teddy Stiga’s deflection goal 1:35 later, so he finished the tilt with a minus-two rating.
Right wing Simon Zether saw fourth line duty in the game and finished with an even rating.
Sweden will be off from game action until Friday, when they face a combined American squad. They will take on rival Finland on Saturday.
The big NHL news on Monday was the Minnesota Wild inking defenseman Brock Faber to a max eight-year contract worth $68 million. Faber produced eight goals and 47 points while appearing in all 82 games for the Wild last season.
Martin Necas and the Carolina Hurricanes avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year deal worth $13 million. Necas put up 24 goals and 29 assists in 77 regular season games. He added nine points (4G/5A) in 11 postseason games.
The Chicago Blackhawks signed defensemen Isaak Phillips and Louis Crevier to one-year, two-way contracts. Both players spilt time between the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs in 2023-24.