Helpfully translated by The Third Man In, a couple of Swedish websites are reporting this morning that Marcus Kruger, the Blackhawks fifth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, will be joining the team this week. Here's what TTMI says about Kruger:
↵↵Kruger, who will turn 21 in May, signed his 3-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on June 18, 2010. His cap hit, per listing at CapGeek.com is $900,000 and his deal is heavy on performance bonuses (possible $310k) this year. Kruger’s base salary this season is $590,000 plus a $90,000 signing bonus.↵↵↵
↵This season Kruger led the Djurgarden Elitserien (Swedish Elite League) squad in scoring compiling 6 goals and 29 assists for 35 points.↵
↵Kruger’s plus/minus rating of +12 tied him with defenseman Staffan Kronwall for the Djurgarden team lead. His ice time average, 17:49, was third-highest among forwards on Djurgarden. Known to be a gritty two-way forward, Kruger’s 52 penalty minutes, in 52 games, was fifth-highest on this year’s Djurgardens’ roster.
With Dave Bolland out and the uncertainty regarding the knee injury Patrick Sharp suffered on Sunday, Kruger would be a welcome addition to the Blackhawks despite his youth and lack of NHL experience. The Blackhawks' next game is tomorrow against the Florida Panthers at the United Center. Kruger would join Niklas Hjalmarsson and Viktor Stalberg, fellow Swedes on the Blackhawks.