Mid-season report card
A little late this year, but hey, this is a blog. :)
Teams are listed in order of number of points so far this season.
HV-71 - A
Just like last year, they play well, have lots of talent and good leadership but one wonders if their goalie can help them through the playoffs. Excellent player in captain Johan Davidsson, he is scoring goals as well. Still, they could go out in the first round if they play Frölunda for example.
Färjestad - A+
Another great year from the leading hockey dynasty. The people in Karlstad love hockey, they have just built a new arena and it still is full. They know hockey in this town and they made some interesting moves in the off-season like bringing in Esa Pirnes. Though they are in second place, it does not matter, they are a different team in the playoffs. They will go to the finals for the seventh straight year and win for the second straight year.
Modo - A-
Niklas Sundström from Modo should still being playing in the NHL, he is a consumate two way player. They have a star goalie and will be one of the toughest teams to play in the playoffs. They have a chance at winning it all, but not a big one.
Timrå - B-
An exciting young team, in contrast to last year. Their goalies have been excellent and the team is solid defensively, Hedström has played well. But they are starting to tire and have fallen from first to fourth. They will fade and disappear in the first round of the playoffs.
Brynäs - B-
They have held their own. Blessed with the great hockey talent of Niklas Bäckström, who everyone here compares to Peter Forsberg for his hockey vision, Brynäs has been good and placed in the middle of the table all year. If they face Timrå in the playoffs in the first round they will finish them off, this is a solid playoff team.
Linköping - C+
It has been an odd and inconsistent year for a team that went deep into the playoffs last year. They lost some players but should be higher in the table. New coaching has made for a lot of turbulence and they cannot find a groove. Dangerous in the playoffs though.
Djurgården - D
Young with some talent Djurgården should be a solid playoff team, but they are not. In fact, they are in real danger of having to qualify to play in the Elitserien next year. Fredrik Bremberg is talented but I am not sure he is enough for the Stockholm team. No playoffs for you!
Luleå - C
Modig is a good young goalie, and he has made the difference between mediocrity and misery. But this team is not good. They have a decent first line and some decent backs but outside of that this is not really an Elitserien team. They have a playoff spot now, but are only a few points away from having to qualify.
Frölunda - F
Frölunda has it all - high priced players, Tomi Kallio leads the league in points, stellar goalies, and plenty of imported players like Steve Kariya and Martin Cibak. Great seasons from goalie Gistedt and forward Niklas Andersson, yet this team is not in playoff position! Terrible. Coaches have been fired, lines juggled, new players brought in; all are signs of trouble in one of the biggest hockey towns in Sweden.
Skellefteå - B-
Surprising season so far, though it looks like they are fading. They have played well with the players they have, very much a team enterprise in the classic Swedish tradition. Yet this team may have to qualify for next year and they may not be successful.
Mora - D+
Yet another great hockey town. They had the Under 20 World Cup there recently and had the best attended World Cup ever. But the Elitserien franchise is in some trouble. They are in the mix for a playoff spot and have the leading goal scorer but there is definitely something to worry about next to lake Sijlian. Lets hope they stay, they have grit and pluck.
Malmö - C-
They have been rather good lately but that cannot make up for the miserable start of the season. They will have to qualify and they probably will fall out though it appears they are determined to stay. A tough few months lie ahead.
Teams are listed in order of number of points so far this season.
HV-71 - A
Just like last year, they play well, have lots of talent and good leadership but one wonders if their goalie can help them through the playoffs. Excellent player in captain Johan Davidsson, he is scoring goals as well. Still, they could go out in the first round if they play Frölunda for example.
Färjestad - A+
Another great year from the leading hockey dynasty. The people in Karlstad love hockey, they have just built a new arena and it still is full. They know hockey in this town and they made some interesting moves in the off-season like bringing in Esa Pirnes. Though they are in second place, it does not matter, they are a different team in the playoffs. They will go to the finals for the seventh straight year and win for the second straight year.
Modo - A-
Niklas Sundström from Modo should still being playing in the NHL, he is a consumate two way player. They have a star goalie and will be one of the toughest teams to play in the playoffs. They have a chance at winning it all, but not a big one.
Timrå - B-
An exciting young team, in contrast to last year. Their goalies have been excellent and the team is solid defensively, Hedström has played well. But they are starting to tire and have fallen from first to fourth. They will fade and disappear in the first round of the playoffs.
Brynäs - B-
They have held their own. Blessed with the great hockey talent of Niklas Bäckström, who everyone here compares to Peter Forsberg for his hockey vision, Brynäs has been good and placed in the middle of the table all year. If they face Timrå in the playoffs in the first round they will finish them off, this is a solid playoff team.
Linköping - C+
It has been an odd and inconsistent year for a team that went deep into the playoffs last year. They lost some players but should be higher in the table. New coaching has made for a lot of turbulence and they cannot find a groove. Dangerous in the playoffs though.
Djurgården - D
Young with some talent Djurgården should be a solid playoff team, but they are not. In fact, they are in real danger of having to qualify to play in the Elitserien next year. Fredrik Bremberg is talented but I am not sure he is enough for the Stockholm team. No playoffs for you!
Luleå - C
Modig is a good young goalie, and he has made the difference between mediocrity and misery. But this team is not good. They have a decent first line and some decent backs but outside of that this is not really an Elitserien team. They have a playoff spot now, but are only a few points away from having to qualify.
Frölunda - F
Frölunda has it all - high priced players, Tomi Kallio leads the league in points, stellar goalies, and plenty of imported players like Steve Kariya and Martin Cibak. Great seasons from goalie Gistedt and forward Niklas Andersson, yet this team is not in playoff position! Terrible. Coaches have been fired, lines juggled, new players brought in; all are signs of trouble in one of the biggest hockey towns in Sweden.
Skellefteå - B-
Surprising season so far, though it looks like they are fading. They have played well with the players they have, very much a team enterprise in the classic Swedish tradition. Yet this team may have to qualify for next year and they may not be successful.
Mora - D+
Yet another great hockey town. They had the Under 20 World Cup there recently and had the best attended World Cup ever. But the Elitserien franchise is in some trouble. They are in the mix for a playoff spot and have the leading goal scorer but there is definitely something to worry about next to lake Sijlian. Lets hope they stay, they have grit and pluck.
Malmö - C-
They have been rather good lately but that cannot make up for the miserable start of the season. They will have to qualify and they probably will fall out though it appears they are determined to stay. A tough few months lie ahead.
posted by Jeremiah at 12:26 AM
<< Home