On Wednesday afternoon, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Detroit Red Wings claimed Magnus Hellberg off waivers from the Seattle Kraken.
The 31-year-old netminder has only appeared in one game this season, which was with the Ottawa Senators, who he had previously been claimed off waivers, allowing only two goals and posting a .935 save percentage. The six-foot-six Swede spent most of the 2021-22 season with Sochi HC of the KHL, where in 37 games, he had a goals-against-average of 2.42 and a save percentage of .917.
Hellberg infamously signed at the end of last season with Detroit, appearing in one game, stopping 20 of 23 shots in the Red Wings’ final game of the season in New Jersey.
Hellberg has made a name for himself in the KHL over the past few seasons as in 169 games played, he has a record of 81-64-14 and a save percentage of .927. He also represented Team Sweden at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where in two games, he posted a record of 1-1, a goals-against-average of 2.46, and a save percentage of .927.
It is unclear what prompted Detroit to make the claim, given they have Ville Husso and Alex Nedeljkovic on the roster currently. Nedeljkovic has struggled to start the season, posting a goals-against-average of 4.33 and a save percentage of .873, but has only appeared in six games. Hellberg would have to clear waivers again to be assigned to Grand Rapids.
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