Outstanding players of 2006
The first half of the year is almost done, the season almost at the half way point and it is time to take a look at some of the stars so far this fall. This list is of players that have made a difference to their teams as well as produced impressive individual stats.
The most important player in this years Elitserien (The Swedish Hockey League) is clearly Niklas Bäckström. He leads the league in points and has made his team, Brynäs, a team to contend with. Last year they were looking like they might have to qualify to play in the league again. But Bäckström has anchored the team and they are surely a playoff team. Bäckström has the rare ability to read the play that Peter Forsberg has, you can see that in the high number of goals and assists Bäckström has, opposed to the number two points leader Pavel Brendl who has double as many goals as assists, yet his team is next to last.
Niklas Sundström is my pick for the second most important player this fall. He still has a lot of hockey in him and I am surprised he is not playing in the NHL. He got off to a slow start this year but he has been leading the way for his Modo club and they are now in second place this is no small part due to Niklas.
Tomi Kallio from Frölunda is third in point scoring list and has been on a tear. He uses his speed so effectively and has amazing strength and balance. He holds onto the puck so well, mostly by playing his body against the opponent, he sees the ice well as the high assist tally indicates. He has been hot on a team that has been cold most of the year, without him Frölunda would not stand a chance.
Other guys that deserve mention are, Timrå players Jonathan Hedström and Johan Backlund who have been excellent. Hedström brings NHL experience and strength to a young team and Backlund has been solid in goal. Malmö also has Carl Söderberg, drafted by St. Louis, and a young, strong prospect. This kid will play in the NHL, he has all the talent needed and leads a team that is struggling. Roman Cechmanek has been excellent in goal for Linköping, and Tony Mårtensson has also been brilliant for Linköping despite the fact that the team has somewhat under-performed this year.
The most important player in this years Elitserien (The Swedish Hockey League) is clearly Niklas Bäckström. He leads the league in points and has made his team, Brynäs, a team to contend with. Last year they were looking like they might have to qualify to play in the league again. But Bäckström has anchored the team and they are surely a playoff team. Bäckström has the rare ability to read the play that Peter Forsberg has, you can see that in the high number of goals and assists Bäckström has, opposed to the number two points leader Pavel Brendl who has double as many goals as assists, yet his team is next to last.
Niklas Sundström is my pick for the second most important player this fall. He still has a lot of hockey in him and I am surprised he is not playing in the NHL. He got off to a slow start this year but he has been leading the way for his Modo club and they are now in second place this is no small part due to Niklas.
Tomi Kallio from Frölunda is third in point scoring list and has been on a tear. He uses his speed so effectively and has amazing strength and balance. He holds onto the puck so well, mostly by playing his body against the opponent, he sees the ice well as the high assist tally indicates. He has been hot on a team that has been cold most of the year, without him Frölunda would not stand a chance.
Other guys that deserve mention are, Timrå players Jonathan Hedström and Johan Backlund who have been excellent. Hedström brings NHL experience and strength to a young team and Backlund has been solid in goal. Malmö also has Carl Söderberg, drafted by St. Louis, and a young, strong prospect. This kid will play in the NHL, he has all the talent needed and leads a team that is struggling. Roman Cechmanek has been excellent in goal for Linköping, and Tony Mårtensson has also been brilliant for Linköping despite the fact that the team has somewhat under-performed this year.
posted by Jeremiah at 12:21 PM
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