Prospect Update: Jets Top Young Goaltenders Continue Thriving Overseas

Though the NHL’s 2020-21 campaign is still without a starting date, and probably won’t open until at least Jan. 1, that hasn’t prevented teams from sending their top young prospects overseas to participate in live games during this off-season.

For the Winnipeg Jets, they’ve been able to send their top two goaltending prospects across the pond and each of them has enjoyed a very successful start to the season. While they each still have plenty of work to do, the front office has to be extremely impressed with how the two talented netminders have performed up to this point.

Here’s how goaltenders @Mikhail Berdin and @Arvid Holm have performed so far:

After enjoying plenty of success in the AHL over the last two seasons, Berdin was loaned to SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL and has found a way to carry his impressive results over into this season. Utilizing the tools he developed while playing for the Manitoba Moose, the 22-year old hasn’t missed a beat as he’s taken over the starting role with his new club.

Through 13 games this season, the 6-foot-2 goaltender has performed to a 6-3-2 record, producing a 2.49 goals-against average, .916 save percentage, along with 326 saves. In addition, the former sixth-round selection has also added an assist and four penalty minutes to his inaugural campaign with SKA.

As part of his loan agreement, Berdin will be required to return to North America whenever Winnipeg’s training camp opens this winter, which is expected to happen sometime in late December. Since he’s enjoyed back-to-back successful seasons in the AHL, the left-handed catching netminder is expected to compete with teammate @Laurent Brossoit for the backup spot behind All-Star @Connor Hellebuyck in the near future.

Selected during the sixth-round of the 2017 NHL Draft, Holm still hasn’t made his debut in North America but has been able to succeed throughout his career while playing over in Sweden.

Though he’s been doubted several times over the years due to his struggling performances on the under-16 teams – recording a plus-4.00 goals-against average and a sub-.900 save percentage from 2012-2014 – the 22-year old has made significant improvements to his game, which has helped climb up the rankings and is now considered one of the top goalies in the country.

Over 11 games this season with Farjestad BK of the SHL, Holm has earned a 5-5-0 record, creating a 2.64 goals-against average, .921 save percentage, 269 saves, and he’s also generated one shutout as well.

Signing his three-year, $2.62 million entry-level contract back in June, Holm would’ve likely opened this season with the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL if their season wasn’t delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the 6-foot-4 goaltender is expected to spend the entire 2020-21 campaign with Farjestad and will have a chance to make his highly anticipated North American debut next season.