When the St. Louis Blues claimed Jonatan Berggren off waivers from Detroit on December 16, the move looked like a simple depth patch. Injuries had gutted the forward group, and the Blues needed bodies. But in just two games, Berggren has shown he might be more than a temporary fix.
His debut against the Winnipeg Jets offered a glimpse of what he could bring. He played 12:45 across 17 shifts and put three shots on goal, looking comfortable in a new system and showing no hesitation to shoot.
Jonatan Berggren's first goal as a Blue made us all like "OMG!" #stlblues pic.twitter.com/Cuzr2XUtUt
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 19, 2025
Two nights later against the New York Rangers, he took a noticeable step forward. Berggren logged 17:04 in 23 shifts, scored his first goal as a Blue, finished +1, and even earned time on the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich to start the third period. That kind of trust doesn’t come easily, especially for a waiver pickup.
Berggren by the Numbers
To understand what his early impact might mean long-term, it helps to look at his NHL body of work.
• Even-strength scoring: 22 of his 31 career goals have come at five‑on‑five, which speaks to his ability to contribute without relying on special teams.
• Shot efficiency: With 223 career shots and a 13.9% shooting percentage, he’s been a quietly efficient finisher.
• Usage: He averaged just under 13 minutes per game in Detroit, most of his production came without top-six deployment.
• Physical engagement: His 73 career hits show he’s willing to lean into contact when needed.
• Puck decisions: With 31 takeaways and 71 giveaways, he’s still refining his decision-making, but that’s typical for a young winger adjusting to NHL pace.
• Underlying metrics: A 46.5% Corsi For, 98.5 PDO, and 49.1% offensive zone start rate show he was used in balanced situations in Detroit and hasn’t been heavily sheltered.
Taken together, these numbers paint the picture of a player who has been efficient in limited minutes and may still have room to grow with more opportunity.
What Happens When the Blues Get Healthy?
This is where Berggren’s situation becomes especially interesting. The Blues are missing Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Nathan Walker, and Nick Bjugstad, a full forward line’s worth of players. Berggren’s early success has filled an immediate need, but the real question is what happens when the roster returns to full strength.
In the short term, Berggren should remain in the top-six rotation. His early chemistry with Thomas and Buchnevich gives the Blues a stabilizing option while Kyrou works his way back.
Once the lineup is healthy, the most logical landing spot for Berggren is the middle six and hopefully not back in the press box. His even-strength scoring history and shooting efficiency make him a natural fit on a second or third line, where he can provide depth scoring without being asked to drive a line on his own.
Long term, the Blues should treat Berggren as a low-risk, high-reward asset. He’s young, efficient, and still developing. If he continues to produce, he deserves to stay in the lineup, even if that means tougher decisions for fringe forwards like Walker or Toropchenko. And because he’d need to clear waivers to be sent down, the Blues risk losing him for nothing if they try to stash him in the AHL.
In other words: if he earns a spot, he should keep it.
Waiver claims rarely become impact players, but Berggren’s first two games could be an exception to the trend. His blend of confidence, shooting ability, and adaptability gives the Blues a valuable scoring option at a time when they desperately need one. And his career numbers hint that this early success isn’t a fluke. He fits the profile of a player who has quietly been waiting for the right opportunity.
St. Louis might have just given him that opportunity.