The NHL and the Swedish Hockey League have always had a mutually beneficial relationship. Players have gone back and forth between the leagues, with stars like New York Rangers Henrik Lundqvist being a great example of what advantages dipping into the SHL can have for the larger NHL sides. He spent time with SHL team Frolunda before making the jump over to the NHL and has proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the league year after year.
The Canadiens are currently having an up and down season so far. They are missing that special spark and need to work hard to get it if they are to finally break the over twenty year spell without a Stanley Cup. The recent streak of three losses in a row capped off with a 6-2 defeat to the Oilers, has shown up deficiencies again and a desperate need to shore up the squad. Investing in players from the SHL would be as risky as missing out on the offers at the slots casino but the payoff could be just as big as winning big at the casino. Here are three standout players that could really get the Habs back on track.
The absolute standout star of this year’s SHL, the forward who plays for Vaxjo has been incredible for his team this season proving why he is the biggest talent in the league. Pettersson is only 19 but has already put up 35 points in just 26 games. His team leads the league and it is pretty much down to him. He has changed the fortunes of Vaxjo and is currently the name on everyone’s lips in Sweden. He is currently property of the Vancouver Canucks but if the management can find a way to get a trade that brings him to Montreal they should go all out for the young sensation.
Ryan Lasch
The American player never quite managed to make it to an NHL team during his time in North America so decided to bring his talents to Sweden in order to hone his skills and become a player who could eventually make it back in his home league. At 30 he finally looks ready as a key player in Frolunda’s surprisingly good season. The Gothenburg based team were not expected to challenge near the top of the league but currently sit sixth. A great deal of that is down to Lasch’s thirty points. He is ready for the big time and the Habs should consider giving him a shot.
Marcus Hogstrom
If the Habs are looking to shore up a defence that just leaked six goals to the Oilers then they could do a lot worse than looking at Djurgarden defender Hogstrom. The 28-year-old has long been one of the best defenders in the league and is currently ranked as the league’s top defender. Djurgarden have conceded the least goals in the league and Hogstrom’s hard work has made that the case and has given his side a great chance of having a very successful season.
