After a career year in the Swedish Hockey League, Rasmus Asplund is coming over to North America. The Buffalo Sabres signed the forward to a three-year entry-level contract. Asplund was considered one of the team’s top forward prospects.
He is the third Swede to be recently signed by the Sabres. The team also added Victor Olofsson and Lawrence Pilut. They will likely draft Rasmus Dahlin first overall next month, adding on another Swedish player.
We’ve signed forward Rasmus Asplund to a 3-year, entry-level contract.
Details ? https://t.co/0yZAbIfTNw pic.twitter.com/Q5Eufz3N1Q
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) May 23, 2018
Rasmus Asplund Signs Entry-Level Deal
Asplund is coming over his third full season with Färjestad BK of the SHL. He posted career highs in all categories. In 50 games this season, Asplund had eight goals and 12 assists. He also represented Sweden internationally over parts of last season.
In 170 career SHL games, Asplund posted 20 goals and 42 assists during parts of four seasons.
He took part in the Karjala Tournament in Finland as well as the Carlson Hockey Games in the Czech Republic. Asplund has also previously appeared in two World Junior Championships with Sweden.
He served as the team’s captain during the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship. In five games that year, he produced two goals and three assists. Overall, Asplund scored four goals and eight assists during his two stints. Alexander Nylander, the Sabres 2016 first-round pick, was a teammate of his.
Asplund was drafted by the Sabres in the second round, 33rd overall, during the 2016 NHL Draft.
Asplund spoke last July on going back to Sweden for another year and about playing with the Sabres in the future.
“This is the dream. Like I want to be a Sabre, I want to play for the Sabres. But you need to have the timing with it too. I need to be ready for it and when I am, I am going to be here playing.”
Rasmus Asplund Scouting Report
Last Word On Hockey’s own Ben Kerr spoke on Asplund’s offensive and defensive game before the 2017-18 season began.
“Asplund is a hard working forward who uses his speed to get in quickly on the forecheck and create pressure on opposing defenders. When he creates turnovers, he can quickly turn those into offence.”
With three full seasons of SHL hockey under his belt, the Sabres will be hoping that Asplund is ready to transition to the North American ice. While there is a chance he plays with the Sabres next season, a trip down to the Rochester Americans is not out of the question either.
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