Like many others, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson will try to stay in shape while the lockout rolls on.
The Swedish-born blueliner will play for Södertälje of Swedish Allsvenskan, the country’s highest minor league, according to The Hockey News’ Bob Duff.
Ericsson could join the team - which also employs solid young NHL forwards Carl Hagelin and Matt Read - as early as Saturday, Devotion Magazine’s Andreas Haeggstroem reports.
The 28-year-old defenseman is in the meat of his prime, so it makes little sense for him to rest up and stagnate outside of hockey competition.
While Niklas Kronwall is expected to be the go-to guy on Detroit’s blueline now that Nicklas Lidstrom is out of the picture, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ericsson take on a larger role whenever pucks drop on NHL games again.