European Leagues Thread

Post by **Manimal** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:24 pm

joehelmer wrote:HV71 won the 6th final in Elitserien after overtime, this match was played in Stockholm, with 3-2 against my beloved Djurgården and they are now Swedish Champions after 4-2 in total games. Though the series ended 4-2 to HV it must have been one of the closest final series ever, if not the closest: out of 6 games played 5 went to overtime and the one that didn't was the first one where Djurgården won with one goal in regular time.

Sure it feels sad, but Djurgården's season has been far beyond expectations and it was very strong of them to end second in regular season, HV was first, and making it through quarter finals and semi finals. I really look forward to next season, but first it's a long and nice Silly Season.

I am very impressed by their season, too. They really exceeded my expectations.
Now it's going to be an interesting Silly Season. How many of their young players will go to the NHL? Engqvist is already signed by Montreal and others(Josefsson,Krüger) might follow. There is also rumours surrounding undrafted goalie GUstaf Wesslau. Star player Marcus Nilson might return to the NHL, as well.
I'd like to see Djurgården pick up a goal-scorer in the off-season

Post by **joehelmer** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:31 pm

Manimal wrote:
joehelmer wrote:HV71 won the 6th final in Elitserien after overtime, this match was played in Stockholm, with 3-2 against my beloved Djurgården and they are now Swedish Champions after 4-2 in total games. Though the series ended 4-2 to HV it must have been one of the closest final series ever, if not the closest: out of 6 games played 5 went to overtime and the one that didn't was the first one where Djurgården won with one goal in regular time.

Sure it feels sad, but Djurgården's season has been far beyond expectations and it was very strong of them to end second in regular season, HV was first, and making it through quarter finals and semi finals. I really look forward to next season, but first it's a long and nice Silly Season.
I am very impressed by their season, too. They really exceeded my expectations.
Now it's going to be an interesting Silly Season. How many of their young players will go to the NHL? Engqvist is already signed by Montreal and others(Josefsson,Krüger) might follow. There is also rumours surrounding undrafted goalie GUstaf Wesslau. Star player Marcus Nilson might return to the NHL, as well.
I'd like to see Djurgården pick up a goal-scorer in the off-season

Before this season I hope that Bremberg would re-sign with Djurgården, but I'm not that sure anymore, it all depends on if the juniors goes over to NHL or not. I heard a rumor that had Wesslau going to HV, I hope this is not true, as Stefan Liv is most likely to go to KHL. I thought Engqvist was on loan from Montreal to Djurgården, like Hörnqvist was for one season from Nashville, but I'm not sure. Maybe it was that Engqvist had agreed to a contract that make him go to Montreal now when the season is over.

Post by **Manimal** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:32 pm

joehelmer wrote:
Manimal wrote:
joehelmer wrote:HV71 won the 6th final in Elitserien after overtime, this match was played in Stockholm, with 3-2 against my beloved Djurgården and they are now Swedish Champions after 4-2 in total games. Though the series ended 4-2 to HV it must have been one of the closest final series ever, if not the closest: out of 6 games played 5 went to overtime and the one that didn't was the first one where Djurgården won with one goal in regular time.

Sure it feels sad, but Djurgården's season has been far beyond expectations and it was very strong of them to end second in regular season, HV was first, and making it through quarter finals and semi finals. I really look forward to next season, but first it's a long and nice Silly Season.
I am very impressed by their season, too. They really exceeded my expectations.
Now it's going to be an interesting Silly Season. How many of their young players will go to the NHL? Engqvist is already signed by Montreal and others(Josefsson,Krüger) might follow. There is also rumours surrounding undrafted goalie GUstaf Wesslau. Star player Marcus Nilson might return to the NHL, as well.
I'd like to see Djurgården pick up a goal-scorer in the off-season

Before this season I hope that Bremberg would re-sign with Djurgården, but I'm not that sure anymore, it all depends on if the juniors goes over to NHL or not. I heard a rumor that had Wesslau going to HV, I hope this is not true, as Stefan Liv is most likely to go to KHL. I thought Engqvist was on loan from Montreal to Djurgården, like Hörnqvist was for one season from Nashville, but I'm not sure. Maybe it was that Engqvist had agreed to a contract that make him go to Montreal now when the season is over.

You are absolutely right, Engqvist was on loan.
I heard Columbus had scouts to watch Wesslau

Lakrisal · Post by **Lakrisal** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 12:54 am

Right now, all I feel is pride!

We were "supposed" to fight for a playoff spot this year. Instead we win, win, win and keep getting the points and finally tie up the 2nd spot in Elitserien, only 3 points behind HV71. We go into the quarterfinals with everyone saying: Markström will win this for Brynäs but we take it in 5 games, losing only in OT.

Next off we square off against Linköping who with their czechs are going to wipe us off the rink, but we keep playing our, by media analyzed, simple play and get the big goals and big saves at the right time.

Then finally we are in the finals against the powerhouse of Swedish hockey the last 4-5 years, HV71, now with three straight final appearances.

Winning the first game at Hovet was amazing, and then, five STRAIGHT overtime games where HV71 gets a few lucky bounces and some questionable calls/non-calls going their way (i.e: watch #32 in white being tripped.

We lose the 6th game and the season is over, but no matter what, we are the real winners of this season. We are once again to be reckoned with, and the fact that we stay 30-60 minutes after losing the deciding game singing for our team, our shield and our heroes on the rink, that probably the most emotional hockey memory for me.

It's been a great season, and I hate that it's over, but I'm so proud of our team, of what we have accomplished and I'm so sad that I wont be in Stockholm next year to follow the next season.

A special shout-out to Andreas Engqvist who was probably our first player in the Stockholm campaign who has been with us for four years, now leaving for Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.

VI GER ALDRIG UPP - DJURGÅRN (we never give up - Djurgårn)

axwel3221 · Post by **axwel3221** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 12:20 pm

Great player Wallinheimo! Nice little tribute you made there Jypfan!

Post by **Jypfan92** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 1:22 pm

Thanks! And we can't forget Strömberg and Sahlstedt

Great players too. Last years they played like in their early years. Strömberg scored at 07-08 most points in Sm-league since 96-97 season. And Sahlstedt scored at 08-09 most points since 99-00 season.

And about Wallinheimo, can't wait if we see him in Parliament some day. For people who don't know, he is member of municipal council (i'm not sure is this right, but internet dictionary showed this) of Jyväskylä. If i remember right he took 4th most votes in municipal election.

I think that their numbers will be retired.

Post by **McQwak** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:40 am

Jypfan92 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2yHxF38bmk SW gets game misconduct in shootout

Why did he recieve it?

Post by **Jypfan92** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:41 pm

McQwak wrote:
Jypfan92 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2yHxF38bmk SW gets game misconduct in shootout
Why did he recieve it?

Delaying the game

Post by **Jypfan92** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:00 pm

Ak Bars Kazan won KHL

They won MVD Balashkika 4-3 (games). MVD lead 3-1 in wins but Ak Bars won 6. game 7-1 and tied wins to 3-3.

Last game's result was 2-0. Nikita Alexeev and Niko Kapanen scored goals and Petri Vehanen played shutout.

Post by **McQwak** » Tue May 04, 2010 2:03 pm

Jagr extended for 1 year with Omsk. Personally, I hoped he could go to NHL or Czech league

Post by **A9L3E** » Mon May 24, 2010 9:32 pm

Jarmo Kekäläinen signed a 5-year contract with Jokerit as a GM

Post by **Jypfan92** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:32 am

Finally good add-on to Jokerit, Kekäläinen really deserves his paycheck

eme · Post by **eme** » Tue May 25, 2010 3:20 pm

This is a HUGE signup for Jokerit, and great for SM-Liiga in general. Although SM-Liiga is a professional league, lot of the teams are/have been managed by amateurs, former hockey players who know nothing about leading an organisation. Jarmo Kekäläinen with his experience will change this for Jokerit, and by doing so will put loads of pressure to other SM-Liiga teams to try to improve their organisations to a professional level.

As an HIFK fan, I'm jealous about Kekäläinens decission to join Jokerit. At the same time though I understand why HIFK was not after Kekäläinen, mostly due to the fact that HIFK is in a middle of a major organisational change. I'm not saying that Tom Nybondas (basically responsible for scouting and hiring players) is better than Kekäläinen, because he is not. Jukka Valtanen, the financial side manager, on the other hand is one of the best in Finland. Had Kekäläinen been available two years ago when HIFK sacked Pentti Matikainen, HIFK should definately have tried to get Kekäläinen. Now though I'd rather see what the current management can do.

Kekäläinen has huge potential in his hands at the moment. If he can use it properly, I'm afraid that HIFK will be the second team in Helsinki for good :F

Post by **Jypfan92** » Thu May 27, 2010 5:29 pm

Sami Kapanen retires. He will be Kalpa's GM at next season.

Post by **Jypfan92** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:28 am

Dwight Helminen and Jyri Marttinen are coming back to Sm-liiga next season. Both made deals with Pelicans. Helminen's contract ends in 2011 and Marttinen's 2012.

I wanted Marttinen to Jyp 'cause he's my favourite hockey player.

rfroese · Post by **rfroese** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:47 pm

Anyone have any thoughts as to where Roman Malek will be playing next year? It seems pretty apparent that he won't be back with Modo. Also, any thoughts as to Johan Thalberg and who will be Boras's backup next year?

axwel3221 · Post by **axwel3221** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:27 pm

Jypfan92 wrote:Dwight Helminen and Jyri Marttinen are coming back to Sm-liiga next season. Both made deals with Pelicans. Helminen's contract ends in 2011 and Marttinen's 2012.

I wanted Marttinen to Jyp 'cause he's my favourite hockey player.

Marttinen to JYP = Kanada-malja.

I don't like that combination. Though Pelicans is getting one of the best teams of the league, I see.

Post by **Manimal** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:07 am

rfroese wrote:Anyone have any thoughts as to where Roman Malek will be playing next year? It seems pretty apparent that he won't be back with Modo. Also, any thoughts as to Johan Thalberg and who will be Boras's backup next year?

Pretty odd question for a guy living in Buffalo...

Malek was really bad last year so I doubt he'll be back in Sweden

rfroese · Post by **rfroese** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 1:52 pm

Manimal wrote:
rfroese wrote:Anyone have any thoughts as to where Roman Malek will be playing next year? It seems pretty apparent that he won't be back with Modo. Also, any thoughts as to Johan Thalberg and who will be Boras's backup next year?
Pretty odd question for a guy living in Buffalo...

Malek was really bad last year so I doubt he'll be back in Sweden

I know Malek was bad, but I was wondering if anyone knew where he was playing from any of the swedish papers, i really only get my news from hockeysvergie and elite prospects as they are the most english friendly. and yes, i'm an american who prefers to follow Swedish hockey (and play on EHM) rather than north american.

Post by **timmy_t** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 2:54 pm

rfroese wrote:... and yes, i'm an american who prefers to follow Swedish hockey (and play on EHM) rather than north american ...

Post by **Manimal** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:33 pm

rfroese wrote: and yes, i'm an american who prefers to follow Swedish hockey (and play on EHM) rather than north american.

Funny, as I am a swede who prefers to follow American hockey (and play on EHM) rather than swedish

Malek seems to have a contract for the upcoming season with Modo, though

rfroese · Post by **rfroese** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:13 pm

yes, but they have Tarkki and Dahlberg as well. Oh well, lets hope Mark in Da Park resumes his form from 08-09 and he and Stefan RidderWALL can lead Djurgarden to win gold this year!!!!!

Post by **Jypfan92** » Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:19 am

Juha Lind retires

Post by **Jypfan92** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:27 pm

Jokerit's fitness coach Ben Eaves makes come back

He will play next year in Jokerit. 29-year-old Eaves retired at 11/2009.

Is this 3rd or 4th comeback for him?

rfroese · Post by **rfroese** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:24 pm

Anyone have any thoughts on Robin Rahm's admitted steriod abuse and his subsequent 2 year suspension? Do you think Farjestad will be able to lure Vesa Toskala back or will they go with Fredrick Holmqvist?