In the run up to the start of the SHL season this Friday I have taken a longer look at the three teams I believe will be at the top of the table in March - Skellefteå AIK, Frölunda Indians and Färjestad BK.
But what about the next best teams? Here's my brief summary of the clubs that will finish in fourth to sixth place:
4. Luleå HF
Last year I dramatically under-estimated how well this team would do. And this year the defense is practically the same plus that brought in David Rautio alongside Joel Lassinantti, giving them the best goalkeeper pairings in the league. Not many away goals will be scored in the COOP Arena this year. But they must also score to win - and that’s their weakness.
5. Växjö Lakers
A new look team, particularly on the forwards front where three players with hockey playing brothers will be looking to make their mark, all starting their first season with the Småland club.
First, sharp shooter Marcus Davidsson, whose older brother Jonathan will be trying out over in the NHL/ AHL; then Marcus Syvlegård will be trying to collect less PIMs than older brother Emil who remains at Malmö Redhawks; whilst Emil Pettersson is returning to Sweden after two years in the AHL and trying to ignore the hype around younger brother and Vancouver Canucks superstar, Elias.
A solid, but not outstanding, team by my reckoning.
6. Malmö Redhawks
Another team that did better than I expected in 2018/9 despite limited resources. The team is also very similar to last year's with Swedish captain Fredrik Händemärk and Dane Frederik Störm joined by four more Danes, who all played in the international side at the World Championships in Canada - Jesper Jensen (Brynäs), Nicoli Meyers (Södertälje), Matias Lassen (Pantern) and Jesper Jensen Aabo (Jokerit).
Not surprising when you consider that Malmö and the Danish capital, Copenhagen, are connected by a bridge, whilst the Swedish capital is an eight hour drive away. Look out for Jensen Aabo who has been a points scoring back in the KHL and will probably up there with the highest scoring defensemen in the league.
Another solid team that will need a bit of good fortune to reach the very top this year.
@ABritOnThinIce1
