Niklas Svedberg

Svedberg was essentially the No. 3 goalie on the Bruins’ organizational depth chart last season, making just one appearance with the NHL club. Svedberg, who turns 25 in September, notched decent numbers while serving as the top goalie for AHL Providence, finishing with a 25-15-4 record, 2.63 GAA, and .910 save percentage, though it was a statistical step back from the previous season, in which he recoded a sparkling 2.17 GAA and .925 save percentage in 48 games. In the wake of Chad Johnson’s departure in free agency, Svedberg inked a one-way pact with the Bruins, indicating that he is expected to serve as the Tuukka Rask’ backup in 2014-15. He’ll have to hold off the promising Malcolm Subban to cement the role, but it would be a surprise if the 20-year-old Subban didn’t spend the coming season gaining valuable AHL playing experience as Providence’s new starting netminder. Though a healthy Rask is in line to see the bulk of the big club’s starts, Svedberg will be worth owning by those who can push play in fantasy leagues when he gains spot starts for the defensively-responsible Bruins, who remain an elite team in the Eastern Conference.

Svedberg and Chad Johnson are expected to contend for the Bruins' No. 2 goaltending job behind Tuukka Rask this coming season. Svedberg is coming off an outstanding campaign for AHL Providence (37-8-2 record, 2.17 GAA and a .925 save percentage in 48 games), so we like his chances of sticking with the big club if he has a sharp training camp.

Svedberg, who recorded a 2.47 GAA and a .912 save percentage for Brynas IF Gavle of the Swedish Elite League this past season, will almost assuredly start the coming campaign with AHL Providence or ECHL Reading. With Tim Thomas no longer around, the 22-year-old Svedberg gives the B's some upside netminding depth behind Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin.