6. Skellefteå AIK
Whereas last season the team and especially the strike trio of Pär Lindholm, Oscar Möller (pictured) and Joakim Lindström were everywhere, this year the team as a whole has been rather anonymous. But never count out Skellefteå, there is a reason why they have been in seven of the last eight SHL playoff finals - raw talent.
The team have come into 2019 with a purpose winning 7 out 10 games and scoring 32 goals to 20. And whilst Lindholm is living the dream with Toronto Maple Leafs, it is two 30 year olds who have been drafted by Los Angeles Kings who have been delivering the goods. Swede Möller with nine points (6G+3A) showed why Skellefteå have signed him on a four year contract and Canadian Bud Holloway has also found his stride with eight (5G+3A).
That puts Möller up and Lindström tied on 29 points in sixth and seventh overall on Total Points - a competition Lindström has won twice before. He is 35 year old, was drafted in 2002 Columbus Blue Jackets and is now the Skellefteå player with most NHL experience.
The club have signed a three year contract with him and two 18 years old to provide a stable core for the next few seasons. Whether the young forwards will stay at the club remains to be seen as Albin Eriksson was drafted by the Dallas Stars and Jonatan Berggren by Detroit Red Wings in last summer's draft.
AIK are playoff specialist, so regardless of where they finish in the table, don't be surprised if they make it to their eighth final.
@ABritOnThinIce1
