Dec 3, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Drake Caggiula (8) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Drake Caggiula Expected to Continue Career in Sweden

Veteran forward Drake Caggiula is reportedly nearing a deal to take his talents to the Swedish Hockey League.

After nearly a decade grinding it out across the NHL and AHL, it looks like Drake Caggiula is ready for a new chapter, this time across the Atlantic. The veteran forward, who will soon hit unrestricted free agency, is reportedly close to signing with a Swedish Hockey League club ahead of the 2025-26 season. According to reports from Aftonbladet, both Brynas IF and newly promoted Djurgårdens IF have shown strong interest in bringing the Ontario native on board.

Caggiula, 30, has spent the past two seasons primarily with the Edmonton Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. Despite his limited NHL opportunities, he made a big impact in the minors, leading the Condors with 24 goals and tallying 52 points in 62 games this past season, his best numbers in years. He also registered a career-high +20 rating, a testament to his reliable two-way play.

Officially Caggiula!

Atta boy, Drake. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Lsf2tAmFgE
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 28, 2019

Although he managed to earn a handful of NHL call-ups with the Oilers earlier this year, appearing in seven games and recording one assist, it’s clear that breaking into a full-time NHL role again would be a tall task at this point in his career. Given the tough road back to the big league and the lure of a starring role in Sweden’s top league, it’s easy to see why Caggiula is exploring overseas options.

Once a promising bottom-six scorer when he first debuted with Edmonton in 2016, Caggiula has accumulated 92 points (46 goals, 46 assists) over 289 career NHL games. With playing time harder to come by and younger talent on the rise, making the jump to Europe could offer him a fresh opportunity to play major minutes and reignite his career.

For now, the hockey world waits to see where Caggiula officially lands, but it seems a Swedish adventure is just around the corner for the hardworking forward.

Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Drake Caggiula

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!