This just in, Edmonton Oilers defenceman William Lagesson has been released… From his contract with Swedish Allsvenskan club Vita Hasten due to the club already having four NHL loans already (Adam Werner (COL), Simon Holmstrom (NYI), Linus Hogberg (PHI), and Marcus Sorensen (SJ)).
Since Lagesson signed his new two-year deal with Edmonton, he’s now considered an NHL loan and therefore cannot continue with Vita Hasten.
His coach/GM Tony Zabel had this to say to HockeySverige.se (via Google Translate):
“We knew this was going to happen sometime. I had hoped it would be later, but it is as it is.”
In 11 games played, Lagesson had three goals and six assists for nine points. A team-best for blue line scoring and good for third-best in the entire league. He also contributed ten penalty minutes and was +6.
Lagesson was clearly the club’s best defender and going from what Zabel said and the tone, Wild Bill was quite valued and as he should be. He is a top-pairing defender in the American Hockey League, so he’s obviously good enough to play in the SHL and the Allsvenskan is a step down from that.
No word on where Edmonton’s #7 d-man is headed yet but I can’t see him being off the ice too long. I would imagine he’ll catch on with a different club in Sweden, most likely in the same division. If not, there’s no doubt in my mind that he is talented enough to make a positive impact in any European league.
