The Washington Capitals just announced the signing of Axel Jonsson-Fjällby, a 20-year-old Swedish winger, to a three-year, $2.58 million contract, starting next season. The entry-level contract will pay Jonsson-Fjällby an annual average value of $860k at the NHL level and $70k in the minors. He will receive a signing bonus for every year of the contract that increases $5k per season, starting from $80k during the 2018-19 campaign.
According to CapFriendly, the contract was signed on May 1st. Jonsson-Fjallby will attend the 2018 Capitals Development Camp.
During the SHL playoffs, Capitals assistant GM Ross Mahoney went to Sweden to watch the speedy winger perform live. He had previously attended development camp during the summer twice.
Jonsson-Fjällby, drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 entry draft, had a breakout year both in his Swedish club Djurgården and on the international stage, making an impact both in the JWC and the Tre Kronor-team. Playing fourth line minutes in the regular season, Jonsson-Fjällby registered 16 points (7G, 9A).
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In the playoffs, Jonsson-Fjällby scored eight points in 11 games, trailing only the record setting Elias Pettersson in points scored by a rookie. His strong playoff performance earned him his first appearances in the Tre Kronor. Axel had two assists in the two games he suited up for, including this speed burst against Finland.
Axel Jonsson Fjällby is a tough guy to stop. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/6lp2JUeq3E
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) April 22, 2018
Jonsson-Fjällby just missed out on being selected for the upcoming World Championships, getting cut from the team in the final selection.
More from the Capitals:
The Washington Capitals have signed forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby to a three-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2018-19 season, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Jonsson-Fjallby’s contract will carry an average annual value of $860,000.
Jonsson-Fjallby, 20, recorded 16 points (7g, 9a) in 42 regular season games and eight points (6g, 2a) in 11 playoff games with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season. The Stockholm, Sweden native also led Sweden to a silver medal in the 2018 U-20 World Junior Championship, earning four points (2g, 2a) in seven games.
The Capitals selected Jonsson-Fjallby in the fifth round, 147th-overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Jonsson-Fjallby was ranked 92nd overall among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 6’0″, 170-pound forward made his SHL debut in 2016-17 and recorded one assist in 24 games with Djurgårdens IF.Jonsson-Fjallby also registered 37 points (17g, 20a) in 32 games with Djurgårdens IF’s U-20 affiliate in the 2016-17 season. Jonsson-Fjallby represented Sweden in seven games between Sweden’s U19 and U20 teams and recorded one goal during the 2016-17 season.
Prior to the 2016 NHL Draft, Jonsson-Fjallby registered 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 39 games with Djurgarden (Sweden-Jr.) in 2015-16. Additionally, he earned four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games with Sweden at the 2016 U18 World Championship. Jonsson-Fjallby is one of six Swedish players drafted by Washington since the 2012 NHL Draft.
Headline photo: @Capitals
