SKA St. Petersburgh has signed left-side defenceman Oscar Fantenberg today, likely ending his brief stay in North America. Then again, it is just a one-year deal, so a return when teams have a bit more financial room for 7-8 defencemen isn’t out of the question.
Oscar Fantenberg Signs New Deal
Fantenberg started his NHL career late, signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings in 2017. The 29-year old has spent three years in the NHL being good enough to sign but without guarantees. He’s begun each of the last three years in a six-seven position, a safeguard rather than a starter. And each time, he’s worked his way into a regular spot with the team. In 2019–20, he took over for the much more expensive Jordie Benn with the Vancouver Canucks.
His total numbers don’t wow — one goal and six points in 36 games last season — but that isn’t what he’s was hired to do. His affordability might be his biggest asset, but he does have reasonable speed and is a good passer as well. He’ll never be an intimidating presence in his own end, using his stick and positioning to interrupt plays.
Оскар Фантенберг – в СКА!
Приветствуем защитника сборной Швеции в Петербурге!
Контракт с Оскаром будет действовать до конца этого сезона. Ранее в КХЛ Фантенберг выступал за "Сочи", с 2017 года играл в Северной Америке.📢 Подробнее: https://t.co/zCf310ROhJ #hcSKA pic.twitter.com/SrChbrMDC1
— Хоккейный клуб СКА (@hcSKA) October 27, 2020
What This Means for the Future
After 124 regular-season NHL games, he may be comfortable enough to have a breakout season. If so, the NHL won’t see it this year. This will be his second stint in the KHL, so there should be little trouble adapting. Fantenberg is someone who takes coaching well and will adapt to whatever style is played. A reliable third-pair player is his peak, but it’s not a bad one. In a pinch, he can jump onto a second power-play unit as a passer.
The penalty kill is a better choice of special teams for him, though. In short, when a team signs Fantenberg they’re not looking for his potential to emerge. It’s already here. What they do get is an older player without too many miles on his body. He’s a head-down veteran who does his job without complaint and reliably — so long as he’s not asked to do too much.
Main photo:
