Official Hockey discussion thread

Färjestad is out of the SHL Playoffs for the third year in a row in the quarter finals after a 2-4 series against reigning champions Skellefteå AIK. Starter GK Maxime Lagacé sustained a neck injury period 1 of the first game so how he would have fared in this series we'll never know. In retrospect seems like the only way this could possibly go.

We were left with 36 year old Anders Lindbäck, who before joining as a 3rd hadn't played hockey regularly since January 2024 and a backup in Jörgen Hanneborg on emergency loan from Hockeyallsvenskan club Västerås IK... Sort of expected, but not on Lindbäck at all. He did okay. Team did well for a couple of games and completely choked on others and with no margins against the best keeper in the league on the opposite side - well, it speaks for itself.

Färjestads relationship with Anaheim Ducks is probably not good at the moment. First pulling out 2nd GK Damian Clara after a bad season where he was forced to start with Lagacé injured too many times and reaching an 87,9% SVS statistic (dead last in the league) and a widely publicized personal confidence crisis and then pulling defender Stian Solberg days before the playoffs as well.

David Tomášek is leaving for Edmonton Oilers after scoring 57 points in 47 games. New set of goalies next year with Junior International Melker Thelin as 2nd and rumoured Emil Larmi (coming from Växjö Lakers) as the monster starter we're promised.

For what's left of this year's hockey, the SHL isn't that exciting. Skellefteå, Luleå, Frölunda, Brynäs. Any could win and it doesn't make much difference. I turn my attention to second tier series Hockeyallsvenskan where BIK Karlskoga have reached the semifinals and created a buzz around possibly having a second SHL team from the Värmland region. To make that reality, they have to deny two classic Stockholm teams in AIK and Djurgården a place in the highest series once again.

Does anybody want that? Probably not. Karlskoga is a 27,000 population town in the middle of the woods and supporting an SHL-level team is probably not possible at this time without having had years to build for it. But the idea of a closed league like the NHL has never appealed to me.
 
My NJ Devils blanked our arch-rivals the NY Rangers 4-0 this afternoon. Always a pleasure for Devils fans.
Going back to the playoffs after some time in the wilderness.
After struggling a bit coming back from a serious injury, Jacob Markstrom is back in peak form. (Thank you Jake Allen for carrying the team in the interim!).
The Swiss combo of Captain Nico Hischier (career-leading 35 goals) and Timo Meier (enjoying his usual spring resurgence) have been brilliant.
For anyone unfamiliar with Jesper Bratt, the Swede is single-handedly dominating games with his elite-level skating and a laser shot.
Fun Fact: Bratt is the only player in the NHL with more than 70 points (88) and more than 70 hits (93).
And while team star Jack Hughes' season is done with injury, his younger brother Luke is becoming an offensive machine while not showing any defensive liabilities.
The team seems to have great momentum going into the playoffs however their likely 1st round opponent the Carolina Hurricanes have a track record of knocking the Devils out of the playoffs.
 
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Hawks ending the year on a high note, really nice game versus MTL last night ..all the college players and other prospect callups look real promising, fast as hell and solid hockey sense. Obviously things they need to clean up .. but man they are fast. Sad the season is over after Ottawa tonight. Levshunov, Moore, Nazar, Greene, and Rinzel all look quite good
 
Djurgårdens IF defeats AIK in the final of the Swedish second-tier series Hockeyallsvenskan and is once again back in the SHL next season. A Stockholm team in the highest series for the first time since 2022 when they were relegated.
 
Well, Toronto Leafed like they never Leafed before and lost game seven. I'm not going to be as hard on them as others have saying they had a complete meltdown, cuz hey, they did force a game 7 at least. Guess I'm cheering for Edmonton now. Actually, Either EDM or Dallas will do TBH. Anyway, Looks like it's FINALLY the end of The Core Four, like 4 years too late, but whatever, either that or Shanahan should be fired/quit or both. Blow it up and let the Shanaplan die.

Anyone following the Worlds? I only get the occasional score update on FB.
 
Maturin said:
Always (if you mean the IIHF World Championship). Sweden has a strong team and should go far on home ground. There's a massive difference in interest here compared to a decade ago, I'd say.
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I've noticed the big surprise is the Swiss squad, a couple of surprising and convincing victories. Canada is destroying everyone as expected, but yeah, I wish there were more coverage of it here, not just in Mexico, it's also hard to watch in the States as we have the NHL playoffs to worry about.
 
I have to wonder about Marner in free agency. He will get a big contract. But I have to think some teams in serious contention look at his playoff performances and pass. I cannot see him back in Toronto and think he might end up on a more middling team. Or does the blame go to the Leafs?

Taveras is in the same boat to a certain extent. But obviously on much shorter term and less dollars at his age

Off season will be interesting with these two
 
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