John Persson has signed with Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League, ending his tenure with the New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Persson become the first move in the annual shuffle of AHL signees and prospects finding new homes. His entry level contract expired after this season, though the Isles can retain his rights with a simple qualifying offer.
The 2011 5th-round pick (125th overall) was always a bit of a longshot, but his ceiling of a checking-line power forward with some offensive punch at least enticed. His best -- and healthiest -- year was his first season in Bridgeport, when he logged 17 goals and 29 points in 65 games.
He did get a taste of the NHL with 10 games in 2014, but he was always in the 20s in our top 25 Isles under 25 lists. (2014, 2013, 2012). Injuries while in Bridgeport certainly interrupted progress too.
At least he was able to score an NHL goal -- and have a memorable rush to his first NHL game -- to add to the stories he'll take back home.
And it's a good homecoming. As Michael Fornabaio noted, Persson's brother, Johan ("This is my brother John, and this is my other brother Johan.") signed with Farjestad earlier this offseason. That's where John played his junior hockey before moving to North America.
So overall, it's a good solution for John, who came to these shores via the WHL and gave it a go in the AHL. At age 22, the door has not necessarily closed on North America just yet. But if he ever returns, it will be based on what he shows in a reported two-year contract back home.
Ryan Strome and Scott Mayfield (1st and 2nd round, respectively) are clearly the standouts from the Isles' 2011 draft class. Another member, Notre Dame defenseman Robbie Russo (4th round), appears to not be in the Isles' plans after his last season in NCAA. Mitchell Theoret (7th) and Brenden Kichton (5th) were never signed, while Andrey Pedan was traded and Johan Sundstrom played 59 games this season in Bridgeport in the final year of his ELC.