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Swedish center Jack Berglund comes in fourth in our Team Toyota Top 20 Flyers prospect countdown. Berglund improved steadily in each of the last two seasons. The Flyers chose him in the second round (51st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. Signed to an entry-level contract on April 9, Berglund opted to spend one final season in Sweden in 2026-27.
Berglund plans to join the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the stretch drive after the conclusion of his 2026-27 SHL season with Färjestad BK. Meanwhile, he will play an important role for FBK this season. The team opens its regular season on Sept. 18 at home against Örebro.
2025-26 season review
In 2025-26, Berglund dressed in 40 regular season games plus seven playoff matches for FBK’s parent squad in the SHL. He mostly played on the third or fourth line, as young players in Europe tend to do. However, the Flyers prospect played a key role for Team Sweden’s gold medalist World Junior Championship team (three goals, 10 points in seven games). Subsequently, Berglund played in the senior IIHF World Championship tourney. He had two points (1g, 1a) in four games, and saw power play time.
Last season marked Berglund’s first full professional season. Previously, he split time between the SHL club and its J20 junior squad.
The big question with Berglund in the past: Was he a high-floor player with a limited ceiling? Subsequently, he showed hints that he could evolve into a middle-six forward for the Flyers over the long haul.
Strengths
Berglund and fellow Flyers center prospect Jack Nesbitt are both solid two-way players with big frames. Berglund packs 210 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame. The Swede is also a very competitive hockey player. He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty. Opponents tested him right off the bat during his five-game AHL stay with the Phantoms late last season. Berglund showed that he wasn’t intimidated and would not back down from anyone.
Meanwhile, Berglund also showed some netfront upside on the power play. If everything works out, Berglund could evolve into an all-situations player even in the NHL. If not, he still projects at least as a reliable third-line type with penalty killing potential for the Flyers.
Arguably, hockey smarts are second-generation play’s biggest strength. He’s a quick study who reads and anticipates plays on the both sides of the puck.
Opportunies for improvement
Lacklaster skating was the primary reason that Berglund dropped to mid-second round in his Draft year. As he’s filled out and worked on it tirelessly, his skating has improved. He’ll never be a speed demon. However, Berglund skates well enough now that it won’t hinder him from a future NHL career. He’s quicker and stronger. Moreover, he improved his edgework on his skates.
Meanwhile, Flyers player development director Riley Armstrong praised Berglund’s improved balance on his skates. He protects the puck well and fends off checkers. Nevertheless, he still has room to improve his acceleration and smooth out his stride.
Some critics still question Berglund’s true offensive ceiling. He’s fared well offensively against teenagers — including in international competition — but he still room to grow offensively against the pros.
Flyers Depth Chart placement
It’s no secret that the Flyers remain in search of a bonafide number one center. That’s why they tendered Leo Carlsson a record-setting offer sheet this summer. The Anaheim Ducks matched the offer (despite severely complicating their own salary cap management plan in the process). Meanwhile, even if Berglund played for the Phantoms this season, the Flyers had no intention of rushing him to the NHL.
In the big picture, Berglund is one of four center prospects competing for depth chart placement in the future. Nesbitt, Berglund and Jett Luchanko head the list. Additionally, Finnish center Heikki Ruohonen (Harvard University) is a wildcard. None presently project as first-line caliber centers. However, all four have middle-six to bottom-six potential.
The 2026-27 campaign is a very important one in the development of all four prospects.
Win This Autographed Travis Konecny Photo
Hockey Hot Stove will hold another fan giveaway drawing on September 10. The prize, courtesy of Carl’s Cards and Collectibles: an autographed Travis Konecny photo.
TK signed it for Carl’s during his rookie year. In the photo, he proudly holds up his first NHL goal puck. Legendary Flyers publicist Zack Hill took the photo on Oct. 25, 2016.
Guffaw cigar giveaway
The next Hockey Hot Stove giveaway drawing: Sampler box of Brian Propp’s signature Guffaw brand of cigars. We ran a drawing back in June that proved to be a big hit. So we’re doing another! Entries accepted from Sept. 11 to 18.
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