Is Karl Henriksson signing with the Rangers?
When the Traverse City Tournament roster was announced earlier today, the list included 1 surprise name: Karl Henriksson. The 18-year old Swedish center who was selected in the 2nd round, played for his Swedish team Frölunda in the past few weeks, contributing to some goals in several pre-season games. What does his inclusion to the TCT roster mean?
The New York Rangers don’t often invite unsigned prospects from Europe to the Traverse City tournament and the last time a European prospect attended the tournament before spending the entire season in Europe, was 2014. At the time, it was Swedish defenseman Calle Andersson (no relation to Lias). Andersson had signed his entry level contract ahead of the tournament and was loaned out to EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.
Could this point to a longer stay in North America for Henriksson? It is definitely a possibility. But at the very least, I feel this points to Henriksson coming away from Traverse City with an Entry Level Contract. What the Rangers do after that is the next question. I doubt he makes the Rangers team, but either playing in Hartford or being loaned out to Frölunda is on the table. We are 10 days away from the prospect tournament so all we can do is wait. Henriksson would be the first player outside the 1st round to sign his ELC in the calendar year of his draft, since 2015 (Ryan Gropp).
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