Weekly Recap: More NHL Contracts

NHL

As is usually the case in the SHL off season, a number of players have signed NHL contracts this week and will be trying their best to break into the worlds best league next season. The reason for the high number of NHL signings this week is because the deadline for players under European contracts to sign NHL contracts was on June 15th. 

Unfortunately for Rögle, they will be losing one of their top forwards as Rodrigo Abols has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 28 year old was in his first season with Rögle after having spent 5 seasons with Örebro. In 50 games this season he scored 14 goals and 12 assists. He was also an asset to the team in the post season with 5 goals and 7 assists in 15 games. 

- It is of course sad that we lose a player like Rodrigo, but at the same time we are happy for him. It is the nature of hockey that players want to go to North America and we are giving him this chance, says Rögle's sporting director Hampus Sjöström

If Abols so chooses, he will be able to return to Rögle as he is under contract with them until 2026.

PETTER ARVIDSON / BILDBYRÅN

Jere Innala will be heading to North America for the first time in his career. The 26 year old Finnish forward has played the last two seasons with Frölunda where he has been a big contributor on offence. He was also very impressive in this years post season, scoring 11 goals in 14 games, he also had 4 assists. Despite the fact that Frölunda failed to make the championship round, Innala still finished with the most goals and points in the post season. That talent has caught the eye of the Colorado Avalanche who have signed him to a one year contract. 

Fellow Finn Oliver Kapanen is also hoping be heading to the NHL in the coming season. The 20 year old forward was a late second round pick by Montréal in the 2021 NHL entry draft. SHL fans might not be familiar with Kapanen and that's for good reason. He signed with Timrå earlier in the off season, but after seeing success in the World Cup, where he scored 6 goals in 8 games, Montréal has signed him to an entry level contract. There is still hope for Timrå fans however. A clause in Kapanens contract would allow him to return to Timrå before the start of the NHL season if he chooses. 

Oscar Fisker Molgaard is another young prospect who is hoping to crack an NHL roster this coming season. The 19 year old Dane was selected 52nd overall in last summers NHL entry draft by the Seattle Kraken, who have now signed him to an entry level contract. 

DAVID WRELAND / BILDBYRÅN

Henriksson

Karl Henriksson has spent the past two seasons in North America playing with the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL. Unfortunately for him he has not been able to break into the NHL and will now be returning to Sweden. Before his departure for North America he was a product of the Frölunda organisation and played two seasons with the main team. However, he has now signed with Växjö for the coming season. 

- It feels very inspiring to come to Växjö, a club that is always at the top and a city with fans who are really passionate about hockey. In addition, the club's goal is always to win SM gold and that is exactly what I also want to do! I want to develop my game and step up. Växjö feels like a perfect place for that, says Henriksson.

The club has signed him to a fairly lengthy contract that is valid until Spring 2027. 

- We have liked Karl since he debuted in Frölunda. Very smart and hard working, in many ways he personifies Lakers hockey despite never playing a game in our jersey. It therefore feels very good that he will now play for us for the next three seasons, says sporting director Henrik Evertsson.

Salo

The Malmö Redhawks have bolstered their blue line this week, signing Robin Salo. The 25 year old Finn has spent the past 3 seasons playing with the New York Islanders and their AHL affiliate. Previous to that he played just over one season with Örebro. 

- Robin is familiar with the SHL from before and has now gathered valuable experience from North America. We like Robin's mobile skating and calmness with the puck, he has a profile that fits very well with our game philosophy. We are very proud that Robin has chosen our team to continue his development and journey, says Björn Liljander

The contract is valid for the coming two seasons

ANDREAS SANDSTRÖM / Bildbyrån

Alnefelt

HV71 fans will be welcoming back a familiar face this season as Hugo Alnefelt has signed a new deal with the team. The 23 year old goaltender, who was a 3rd round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019 has spent the past 3 seasons with their AHL affiliate. 

- There were certainly more people who were interested, but at the end of the day, HV is closest to the heart. When it really became clear that I was going home, it was obvious to come home to the club that has given me so much, says Alnefelt

Bromé

The only lateral move in the league this week was the movement of Mathias Bromé. The 29 year old is leaving Örebro and joining Luleå. He has spent the past two seasons and a total of four with Örebro and has also played in the NHL as well as the Swiss League. Unfortunately for both Bromé and Örebro there was some drama concerning the player and the coaches and the issue was not able to be solved. 

- I'm a bit new to this job, but we had a situation where there was a rift between Mathias and the coaches and we've taken quite a few measures to find a way forward. Somewhere along the way we didn't succeed and then it's sometimes better to go our separate ways...It's not related to one incident, it's more something that has rubbed off for a long time. There is nothing special that has happened or occurred...We will not go into any details about what we have done. We tried to find a way forward and it hasn't been enough, says sports director Henrik Löwdahl. 

Bromé is looking for a fresh start in Luleå and hoping that it will be a place where he can stay for a while. 

- It will be fun and it will be a challenge. It's a good team, a good association and I'm looking forward to going up there...I have met Luleå many times before and their style of play suits me very well. There was a lot that weighed into it...It's a little bit about the fact that we are a family that is going to move there. My daughter is one year old and it will be a little security for us. Then it will be damn fun to just play, says Bromé

He has signed a four year contract with Luleå. 

JEANETTE DAHLSTRÖM / BILDBYRÅN