European Leagues Thread

Post by **Tasku** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:13 pm

This is the Official European Leagues Off-Season Thread, where you may discuss your non-NHL team signings for the next season.

I'll start with the changes to Espoo Blues' line up for season 2007-08:

First of all, I'm at the same time a little worried of who we've lost and optimistic because of who we managed to keep in the team and who to sign. We lost Martin Kariya - the most surprising success of last season - to the NHL (St. Louis), and Ladislav Kohn to Russia. Kohn is the record holder for most career goals for Espoo, and has been with the team for I can't remember how long. He'll be greatly missed.

Martin Kariya on the other hand, some say was originally lured into the team in hopes that he's older brother Steve would thereby be more likely to re-sign with Espoo, rather than leave, which he did, to Sweden. But in the end it turned out Martin, who had not much to show on his career so far, turned out to be the sensation of the year, by topping the points table in the league, and winning the hearts of the fans with his charisma and modesty. He'll also be missed...

Austrian goalie Bernd Bruckler was among the top goalies in the whole league the past season, and it is unsure where he'll play next season. He's contract is still being negotiated, and he might want to look for "bigger challenges" (read: "bigger paychecks") elsewhere. If he leaves, Espoo will need to look for another first goalie to take his place. Jere Myllyniemi is too inconsistant and unexperienced to take the spot.

Kent Manderville's contract is also under negotiation - another first liner of last season.

As for who Espoo already has signed for next season, there is Kevin Doell, who has for the past three seasons played for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL, where he has had one excellent season (2005-06) so far, and a couple of average ones. If he fits in to SM-Liiga's style and to the team, he might be a good replacement for Kohn or even Kariya. The other notable signing is Swedish Stefan Öhman, who had an excellent last season with Tappara of the same league.

We've also managed to keep Uhlbäck and Viitaluoma in the team - both good goal scoring talent, if they manage to hit their mark. Uhlbäck's season wasn't as good as his previous one, but who knows, maybe the next one...

Holy crapp, that turned longer than intended!

Post by **B. Stinson** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:58 pm

Great idea Tasku.

Any news on Kärpät? As a fan of Pitkänen(who's from Oulu, and played for Kärpät) I naturally have to support 'em.

...Though, getting any news on the team is tough when their site is all in Finnish.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:33 pm

Just to get you in the mood, some pics of Kärpät's last years success:

The Final Game

Celebration at Oulu Market Square

As for the lineup, Kärpät have done pretty well in keeping their last years team for the next season: Tuomas Tarkki, another surprise sensation goalie is still with the team for the next season, as well as Janne Pesonen who made 55 points in 56 games, and Michal Bros to mention another...

On the other hand Kärpät lost the services of Josef Boumedienne, who I personally always liked very much, no matter if I'm no Kärpät fan (and he's Swedish!

). He signed with Washington Capitals, where he last made a visit in 2003-04. Well deserved opportunity, I might add.

Viktor Ujcik on the other hand returned to his home country of Czech Republic and Mika Pyörälä took the boat to Sweden - also a great loss for Kärpät. But all in all Kärpät are well off for next season.

Only Ross Lupaschuk, who was the teams most important defender is still negotiating, and you never know how those turn out...

Here's the complete lineup so far

Post by **B. Stinson** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:33 am

Just discovered eurohockey.net. It's a pretty nice site for keeping up with all of European hockey. The transfers section is quite nice, too - very simple to follow.

Post by **Tasku** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:23 am

Kevin Doell has signed with Atlanta Thrashers instead, and won't be coming to Espoo next season...

Espoo Blues have stated they're already looking for a replacement...

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:11 pm

Tasku wrote:Kevin Doell has signed with Atlanta Thrashers instead, and won't be coming to Espoo next season...

Sucks when your team signs someone only to see him leave while the ink has yet to dry.

Post by **Tasku** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:39 am

Systemfel wrote:Sucks when your team signs someone only to see him leave while the ink has yet to dry.

Stupid NHL Release Clause...

Not that Doell's stats were looking particularily good in my opinion... he seemed like an average second liner with a big paycheck, no doubt - ofcourse I might be wrong... Will have to see how he does in Atlanta('s farm team)...

How are the Indians doing with their off-season signings, Systemfel?

Is Steve still there? (Wasn't he in Frölunda?

)

And who are Frölunda's Finns? Wasn't Kallio one of them? Is he still with the team?

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:11 am

Yeah, Kariya and Kallio are still here. The former was being rumored to have a done deal with Swiss Zürich since November, but actually signed a new one-year deal with the team in mid-March. Kallio has another year left on his contract, then he has a player option year. The 2007-08 season is also the contract year of his longtime linemates, Niklas Andersson (LW, b. 1971) and ]Jonas Johnson (C, b. 1970). A lot of fans have been on the "Take The Slow Johnson Off The Freakin' Top Line" bandwagon for a few years now, but you can't deny the Captain's offensive stats the last couple of years.

We dumped a few of our Finnish d-men, three acutally. Markus Seikola came over from TPS last season and played pretty darn good until the 2006 playoffs started. Then it was downhill from there. He got tons of PP icetime as the team's only RH defenseman, though, and even led Frölunda's defensemen in scoring. The other Finnish D we lost was Arto Tukio (who signed back with Ilves). He was probably Frölunda's best defenseman last year along with Antti-Jussi Niemi. The team also got rid of flopping Ari Vallin. To replace those three Finns, the team's GM finally realized that having "ice in the belly" (lame Swedish expression) really sucks and went out and signed Swedish National Team defenseman Andreas Holmqvist and Finnish National Team rearguard Toni Söderholm.
Niemi was on a contract year as well, and was being rumored to Linköping, a team that isn't afraid to spend money, but re-signed with Frölunda.

Another extremely important player who decided to stay with the team was excellent Swiss all-around center Martin Plüss. He was second in team scoring with his 50 points got to carry a huge workload with Johnson getting older and the third line center (Martin Cibák, who was let go, btw...) being too weak. Plüss signed a sweet three-year deal and I think he'll take over as Frölunda's captain when Johnson retires.

To add to the center line-up, Frölunda went out and got Jonas Nordquist who spent last season with the Norfolk Admirals. He was very successful with Luleå before crossing the pond and is expected to take over as the team's #1 center very soon.

Things are looking very good as I look forward to the team's first ice practice on July 31st. (Another skilled winger would be nice, though. The team did lose Sean Bergenheim, so a good power forward is definitely something I'd want if I were GM.)

Btw, I'm off to get my Frölunda season tickets now.

Post by **Tasku** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:17 am

Good stuff...

Keep us posted on the ins and outs of Frölunda.

I wish I would live closer to Espoo - from here it's a pain to go watch a game, unless if I want to go to Turku and watch Blues visitor game against TPS...

eme · Post by **eme** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 1:46 am

First time in a while i feel pretty darn good about HIFK going into the next season. We managed to keep our top two lines together, something we haven't been able to do in the past few years. Also excluding few core players such as Turo Järvinen (kinda sad to see him go, always liked the way he played and gave his heart every time) and Pasi Salonen (has potential, too bad things didn't really work out well) we haven't really lost any key players in the offense. Also we signed a power forward Jussi Pesonen, who should be a nice addition to lines 2 or 3.

Defense on the other hand has lost some skill compared to last year. Cory Murphy, who led the defensmen in SM-Liiga in scoring left to Florida Panthers and Pasi Saarinen had to retire due to injuries, only at the age of 30. Also the playing of Jere Karalahti in HIFK for next season is more than uncertain. Although we acquired Tuomas Eskelinen, who is capable to replace Pasi Saarinen and Ilkka Heikkinen, a promising young defenseman, we still need #1 defenseman, who is able to score. I hope Teemu Laakso, who has decided to play the next season in HIFK, will elevate his play and take the role of #1, but i don't think that will happen.

Team has stated it's looking for a top line center and a top pair defenseman. If we get even one of those, i'm happy. Goaltending is in the hands of veteran Jan Lundell and youngster Aleksis Ahlqvist. Hopefully the latter gets to see more ice this season, since he played only a few games here and there. Wether Jan Lundell is capable of winning the championship, is debatable, i however don't think we'll stumble because of him.

All in all, i'm quite happy. We managed to re-sign Rem Murray And Steve Guolla, two players who were great for our team last year. With Paul Baxter starting the season the team should be well prepared.

Post by **Tasku** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:08 am

HIFK had a season full of drama, no doubt that will be avoided the next year, and they'll manage to keep to their usual consistancy, things are looking good(ish) for sure.

Tuomas Eskelinen is one of my fav defenders, partly because he played the past two seasons in Espoo. He'll be a great help for HIFK... that little traitor...

eme · Post by **eme** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:55 pm

HIFK acquired two American players, center Ryan Vesce and defenseman Charlie Cook from Binghampton Senators. If anyone knows anything about these, i'd aprreciate the information.

This is first time i remember we have had our team ready way before the season has started. Which is ofcourse a good thing.

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:42 pm

Hey Eme, Frölunda is going to Helsinki to take on HIFK on August 23. Should be fun. I remember last year, we kicked some IFK ass in Nordic Trophy.

That Schnabel guy got like 10 penalties aginst us. He still with you?

eme · Post by **eme** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:59 pm

Yeah, i might go and see that game. Luckily Schnabel is not with us anymore. We traded him mid season to Jokerit. After the trade he actually started playing well. Before that he almost scored an own goal in our game vs. Kärpät. We were going to get a powerplay, and our goalie skates away from the goal. Schnabel tries to pass the puck to Karalahti who's on the other side of our own end and he hits the post.

Anyway, the game will be a whole lot different from last year. This year we actually has a coach the players can understand

. Yeah, excuses, i know, but still

Post by **Tasku** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:41 am

Espoo Blues has signed goalie Bernd Bruckler and defenceman Dale Clark both with a two year contract.

That's excellent news: Bruckler was one of the leagues top goalies last season - he had the most shutouts in the league. Dale Clark also did a good job at Tappara last season: 13+20 = 33 points is pretty good for a blueliner.

Post by **Tasku** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:31 pm

Espoo Blues 8 - 1 Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Tampere Cup exhibition tournament final.

The Russian team's players lost their self control after Espoo Blues' Rami Alanko's hit on one of their teammate. Magnitogorsk's Vladislav Buljin reacted to this by dropping his gloves and getting sent out of the game. This was the start of many more penalties for the Russian team, who in this game had no sense of team play, where as Espoo managed to capitalize on their powerplay opportunities, resulting in a crushing win.

Pic link

Argh, I can't wait for the season to start!

eme · Post by **eme** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:14 pm

Tomorrow i'm going to see a Nordic Trophy game between HIFK and Frölunda. Time for some rematch, don't you think systemfel?

Baxter has been testing a lot of try outs and juniors in the pre-season games so far, and don't think tomorrow will be any different. Let's see how they do.

darn i'm waiting for the season to start.

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:28 am

Get ready to bite some serious dust, eme!

Well, we played Tappara Wednesday, but apparently that was a slow-paced game so the guys probably have plenty of energy to burn in Helsinki.

You wouldn't have a probable HIFK line-up for me, would you?

eme · Post by **eme** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:09 am

There's no telling what baxter will try this time around. Yesterday HIFK played a training game vs. HC Davos, who they beat 4-3. Official line-ups were not announced, but according to a witness the line-ups looked something like this:

Pesonen-Vesce-Laakkonen
Ahtola-Keränen-Kivioja
Nielikäinen-Porthen-Wärn
Paunio-Petrell-Koponen

Or that's it for the offensive line up anyway. As i said, lot of tryouts and juniors. Ahtola, Kivioja, Wärn, Koponen and Paunio are the players that do not have a contract to HIFK. Well, Wärn has but he's still eligble for junior play so he'll probably spent most of the season there. And not really sure about Koponen. Also, Pesonen got himself a game misconduct, so he won't play today. Kuhta is also injured, so he won't play. As for defensive line-ups i can only make some guesses, something like

Laakso - Heikkinen
Holmberg - Cook
Korhonen - Kovanen

Holmberg and Haverinen are both juniors aswel. Hannu Pikkarainen and Mikko Turunen are both suffering from some kind of injury, which eats some of our defensive depth. And what about Frölunda, any idea about their line-up?

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:20 pm

I always have an idea about Frölunda's line-up.

N. Andersson - Johnson - Kallio
Fabricius - Nordquist - Kahnberg
M. Holmqvist - Plüss - Esbjörs
J. Andersson - Johansson - Pettersson

The fourth line has been absolutely spectacular thus far. Pettersson has two GWG's and would have had another one if only the power play didn't f up against Färjestad. Johan Andersson leads the team in scoring with 4 assists while Mikael Johansson has brought great size and strong PKing.

Sundin - A. Holmqvist
Ahnelöv - Larsen (should spend most of 07-08 with the junior team, but will be a 1st rounder in June)
Ackeström - Hansson (on loan from Frölunda's affiliate in the second league)
7th D: Holös (on loan from Sarpsborg, NOR)

Ahonen'll get the start against his former team.

Post by **Tasku** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:19 am

Ryan Keller star or failure?

Just read an interesting article about Ryan Keller, Espoo Blues' AHL aqcuisition for the upcoming season. He is supposed to take the spot left empty by Kevin Doell, who never arrived to Espoo due to his contract with Atlanta, as a goal scoring winger. But the problem is, Keller, age 23, doesn't have much to show for his career. He was a star in Muskegon of the UHL (81 points) and had more than 70 points in Saskatoon of WHL, but his AHL stats are less convincing (Grand Rapids and Syracuse total 2006/07: 60 GP, 14+17 = 31 PTS)

On the upside, he's been very convincing in pre-season exhibition games, where he leads the teams unofficial points table. But we've all seen that before...

Interesting season coming up nevertheless...

Any info on this player, anyone?

fishi · Post by **fishi** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:22 pm

Hayley Wickenheiser goes to IFK Arboga in the swedish tier 3.

Post by **Tasku** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:45 pm

A couple of seasons ago she played in Salamat of Finnish Mestis, and she woved she'd be "back" at this level of pro hockey. Good to hear she really is back! Great player, why should it matter if she's not a man.

Although, I have to say, who knows if the opponent really dare to hit her as much as they hit the guys. Watching a girl get hurt is anything but entertaining, whereas as watching guys get hit on the boards is the best kinda entertainment for the whole family to enjoy...

Post by **batdad** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:50 am

Trust me...Hayley can take any hit any one can dish out. That girl is tough as freaking nails. I know. I have felt that hit. And that was when I was in good shape at 6'4 220. She was little back then too, compared to what she is now. Yes...I got laughed at ...cause noone knew who she was then.

Post by **Tasku** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 1:41 pm

You've played against Hayley? That's cool. Where and why was this?

I do recall other Mestis players saying the same thing about her. They didn't have to worry about her being a girl and all that... and she was "like one of the guys" even with her own team mates. Although, I doubt she used the same locker room though...

Edit: On a quick google seach I found this article from the start to 2003-04 season, where Hayley was making a return to Mestis: CBC Link

Heh... I like the typo: "Sumoi League"...