Luleå HF
Whereas I am tipping Luleå women's team to retain their national championship, I think the men's team may struggle to get out of the bottom four places this year.
Last year's team managed to gain seventh place due to a good run at the end of the season, but were easily swept aside in the playoff.
Maybe it was wise of them to recruit import player Jack Connelly, from rivals at bottom in the table, Rögle BK. The undrafted American has played all his professional career in Sweden, hammering out a 0.50 Points Per Game - precious for a struggling team.
But maybe the most interesting developments at Luleå are their younger stars. Defenseman Jesper Sellgren has just been drafted this summer by Carolina Hurricanes after a successful Junior World Championship. Whilst 18 year old forward Isac Lundeström (pictured) is only at the club on loan from the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him this summer in Round 1, again after a successful Junior Worlds where he netted twice in seven games.
@ABritOnThinIce1
