Photo: Team Sweden
The Washington Capitals announced Thursday afternoon that they have signed defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell to a one-year, two-way entry-level contract ($775,000/$82,500). Häman Aktell, 24, recorded 36 points (9g, 27a) in 51 games with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season.
Haman Aktell, who turns 25 in July, took a step forward offensively, this past season. He also helped the club win another SHL Championship—his second in three seasons—by adding three goals and seven points in 18 playoff games.
Graphic: Elite Prospects
Häman Aktell was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round, 108th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft, but was not signed by the team.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell to a one-year, two-way entry-level contract ($775,000/$82,500), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Häman Aktell, 24, recorded 36 points (9g, 27a) in 51 games with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this season. The 6’3″, 220-pound defenseman led Växjö in plus/minus (+23), ranked second on the team in assists and points and tied for third among SHL defenseman in points. The Kåge, Sweden native added seven points (3g, 4a) and recorded a +6 plus/minus rating in 18 playoff games, helping Växjö capture the SHL championship for the second time in three years. In 151 career SHL games with Växjö, Häman Aktell has recorded 63 points (17g, 46a).
Prior to joining Växjö in 2020-21, Häman Aktell recorded 16 points (6g, 10a) in 45 games with IF Björklöven of HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden-2) during the 2019-20 season and six points (1g, 5a) in 34 games during the 2018-19 season.
Häman Aktell was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round, 108th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
The Athletic’s Corey Pronmon has Haman-Aktell listed as his number one free agent this upcoming off-season.
Haman Aktell was my top ranked player of this free agent cycle https://t.co/iO7meCfm0F https://t.co/yNzaapQJIc
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) April 27, 2023
It’s likely Haman Aktell will be initially assigned to Hershey, depending on upcoming free agency and play in training camp, but could be a potential callup to the Capitals next season.
The deal is very similar to the Gabriel Carlsson signing by the Capitals last summer, who is a restricted free agent this summer.
By Jon Sorensen
Likely a signing for Bears
Probably will replace Gabriel Carlsson in Hershey.
Lol you guys can’t possibly think someone who’s basically the top EU free agent is coming to a team to play in the AHL. He’s been told he’ll have the opportunity to play NHL games or else he would have signed with a bottom feeder who could guarantee it. What this probably means is they didn’t like what they saw of Alexeyev at the end of the season.
Yes, he did sign knowing he could end up in the AHL or he wouldn’t have agreed to a 2 way contract. Why would a player who was a 4th round pick with no North American experience be a lock for an NHL role. He blossomed a little last year and has size with a little snarl in his game. They’re going to being him over, play him in Hershey, and hope he improves and can possibly contribute as an extra D.
Agree with your logic here. Carlsson signed same deal, was given a Caps number, but he essentially was signed to help Hershey, but be a callup if he earned it. Hardy has never played a game on North American ice. Hard to see him winning a job right out of the chute.
I don’t see him starting right off in NHL. He’s play no games in North American rink sizes to date.
If they dont keep Irwin next year he could actually make the team as a LD and be in the mix a lot depending on his play and that of AA and Fehervary. A 1 year deal and not much lost if he fails.
I think that’s a tall order for someone who has never played a game in North America.
At least this D man is big. Need to find one for the Caps and pretty soon but I don’t expect it this coming season, unless this kid surprises.
Folks, I don’t think anyone here has twigged the reason for this signing yet. It’s got nothing to do with G. Carlsson or Alexeyev. The article leaves out a critical piece of info: he’s a right handed shot. And, if I understand the NHL waiver rules, which are slightly less complicated than an advanced astrophysics class, correctly, he should be waiver exempt for one year. So my thought is that he was signed to be an extra right stick, in case Carlson, TVR or Jensen goes down. They’ll probably let McIlrath go, and let Iorio marinate some more. There ya have it.
I read 2 places he was a LD and one he was a RD, so I guess he just plays the center of the ice.
He is left-handed.
Several places (Wikipedia, hockeydb) have him listed as a right. But YouTube video shows him as a left. That’s what I get for not researching thoroughly. Thanks for the info!
I like it! Welcome to the Caps family, Hardy!
Some signings are done for Hershey only, some for Hershey with the hope they might be able to contribute in the NHL some day, some are signed with the idea they’ll be in the NHL but start out in Hershey for the experience, etc. Frank is a good example. He was signed as someone for Hershey with the hope he might contribute in the NHL some day. And it appears to be working out.
Can he knock a guy over? Can he stand up Malkin? If yes good signing.
Will be a good replacement for Aaron Ness
Per Corey Pronman’s article on the best available non-drafted FAs, he’s the top guy available, but his skating “will be a major limitation in the NHL”. Pronman projects him as having potential to be a 3rd pair defender.
Not that Pronman is always right, but this guy is a depth signing, almost certainly expected to be in Hershey, but if he surprises in Camp, the option remains for him to play for the Caps. If so, great. Just don’t expect him to be the defensive savior.
Agree with you 100% GR.