According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, who sent this tweet early this morning before the games got going over in Copenhagen for the World Championships, the Oilers have signed Joel Persson, a right-handed offensive defenseman who last season played for the Vaxjo Lakers over in the SHL. Obviously no terms have been disclosed yet.
Sounds like Oilers may have locked up Swedish Defenceman Joel Perrson. 24 year old right shot from the Vaxjo Lakers. https://t.co/mrjtjCGTsh
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 16, 2018
There’s not a whole lot out there on the guy at the moment but I managed to scrounge up some reports that you’ll find below.
It looks as if this Swede could be something akin to Yohann Auvitu in that he’ll be used sparingly IF he is indeed signed and Rishaug has it right.
The fact that he was teaching AND playing hockey at the same time is a testament to the guy’s work ethic. But not only that, he excelled in the role given to him.
From the highlights I could find, he looks to have quite the clapper and is not shy to use it.
Below is just a tidbit of what I could find but I know for a fact that there’ll be more information on this player made available this week. Just keep an eye on Lowetide’s blog and Oilers talk radio this week if the move goes down.
All this while Stauffer is in Disneyland…
Surprised Vancouver didn’t snap him up due to his apparent chemistry with star Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson…
I do not mind a signing like this at all. Persson is undersized and his skating isn’t the greatest I guess but neither was Auvitu’s and I liked that signing but it’s just a shame that Todd McLellan didn’t use the Frenchman. Hopefully, this won’t be a repeat and McLellan uses the tools he has on hand.
WHO IS JOEL PERSSON ANYHOW?
Defense — shoots R
Born Mar 4 1994
[24 yrs. ago]
Height 5.11 — Weight 187 [180 cm/85 kg]
Scouting Report
He’s a righty puck mover who would cost only a contract. Zanier said “He came to camp a number 7 D. Was the QB of the PP by October. Started out more as a offensive player but has developed into a solid D & still QB to the best PP in the SHL. Though Elias Pettersson might have something to do with that, he’s definitely worth looking at (for an NHL team).” (Link)
One interesting free agent on the Växjö team is 23-year-old defenseman Joel Persson (UFA) who has an impressive 30 points in 44 games but there are reasons to be concerned because 21 of those 30 points have come on the power play, and he has 13 secondary assists. Persson is a purely offensive defenseman who is playing a bit of a sheltered role – he’s playing just 16:42 per game which is fifth highest among defensemen on his team, with 2:46 of that on the power play, and he isn’t used on the penalty kill at all. Persson was playing third tier hockey in Sweden last season, so what he’s doing now is impressive but it’s unlikely he can make another jump to the NHL unless someone needs a power play specialist. (Link)
The 2017-18 campaign is Persson’s first in the SHL. In fact, he actually jumped straight from the third-tier Swedish league, Hockeyettan, to the SHL this season, and the transition has been fairly seamless. In 38 games last season, Persson scored 40 points. Jumping two leagues and still posting nearly 0.70 points-per-game is impressive. It does certainly help that Vaxjo is steamrolling their competition this season with 17 more points than second-place Djurgarden. (Link)
Joel Persson highlights from the 1st Semi-Final game in the #SHL playoffs. Includes a gorgeous goal from him.
Persson is #94 in blue. 24-year-old free agent defenseman. pic.twitter.com/jnJoZVzi4d
— Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen) April 2, 2018
What about Joel Persson for MVP? The 23-year-old @vaxjolakers star has 1+9 in his first CHL season! #ChampionsGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/bBpvIWWkxJ
— Champions Hockey League (@championshockey) January 12, 2018
