HV71 and Leksand Face Qualification Anxiety for the Third Straight Year
HV71 finds itself in a familiar position, battling to secure its place in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Despite solid financial footing, the club has repeatedly seen that money doesn’t guarantee success on the ice.
For the third consecutive year, HV71 must navigate a qualification round to maintain its SHL status. They successfully overcame this challenge in both 2024 and 2025, and will gaze to draw on that experience as everything is on the line.
Even if they manage to secure their SHL contract in the qualification series – often referred to as the “anxiety qualification” – the question remains: what will it seize for HV71 to uncover a path to consistent success?
Leksand Also Facing Qualification Concerns
Leksand still has a mathematical chance to match Linköping’s point total – currently in twelfth place, just above the qualification line – if they win Saturday’s match against Rögle.
However, trailing Linköping by 14 goals, a major upset would be needed for Leksand to avoid qualification. All signs point to a qualification series matchup between Leksand and HV71, a scenario neither team desired.
This marks Leksand’s seventh consecutive season in the SHL, and the team is fighting to extend that run to an eighth.
Record Attendance Continues to Rise
With one round of games remaining, the SHL is set to break its attendance record for the fourth straight season.
Last year’s total attendance was 2,417,984. That number has already climbed to 2,510,771.
The league is poised to reach an average attendance of over 7,000 for the first time, currently standing at 7,033.
Skellefteå Claims First Regular Season Title in a Decade
Skellefteå dominated the league between 2013 and 2016, winning the regular season title four years in a row. While they reached three finals and won the Swedish Championship in 2024, this year marks the first time in ten years that Skellefteå has secured the SHL regular season crown.
They clinched the title with a victory over Linköping in the penultimate round of games.
Final Round of Games Still Holds Stakes
Despite the top and bottom of the standings largely settled, several teams still have plenty to play for in the final round.
Four teams – Brynäs, Färjestad, Luleå, and Malmö – are all tied with 77 points, but only two will receive a direct berth to the quarterfinals. The other two will have to navigate the more challenging route through the round of eight.
Brynäs and Färjestad boast the best goal difference (both at plus twelve). Luleå is at plus seven, while Malmö sits at minus eight.
The battle for the tenth and final playoff spot is also tight. Örebro currently holds the edge with 65 points, but Timrå, with 63 points, has a chance to overtake them.
In the final round, Örebro will face Linköping on the road, while Timrå will host Växjö.
Linköping theoretically has a slim chance to secure the last playoff spot, but they would need to win by seven goals against Örebro while Timrå loses.
Emerging Talent Fuels Djurgården
After three seasons in the Allsvenskan, Djurgården returned to the top league this season. Like many newly promoted teams, their performance has been up and down, but they secured their contract with a few rounds to spare and will be one of four teams competing in the round of eight.
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg has been the most important player for Djurgården this season, but the most exciting players to watch have been the team’s three Junior World Championship gold medalists: Anton Frondell, Victor Eklund, and Viggo Björck. These teenagers have stepped up and been given the opportunity to shine.
Djurgården isn’t the only team showcasing promising young talent. Frölunda’s 18-year-old forward Ivar Stenberg is already a star, and has received high praise throughout the season.
Legendary Coach Announces Retirement
Jörgen Jönsson was a leading player for Färjestad for 13 seasons, winning five Swedish Championships during that time. After ending his playing career, he remained with Färjestad in various leadership roles until the end of 2013.
He then embarked on a coaching journey that took him to Örebro, Davos, and Växjö before returning to Färjestad as head coach this season. His return was welcomed by fans.
However, after a difficult first half of the season, it was announced in early January that Jörgen Jönsson had been relieved of his duties, replaced by Christer Olsson.
Timrå’s coach Tommy Samuelsson is nearing the end of a lifetime dedicated to hockey. When Timrå’s season concludes, so too will his time as a coach, an announcement he made back in January.
After a long and successful playing career, he transitioned into coaching, leading Skellefteå to the SHL and serving as an assistant coach when Sweden won the World Championship gold in 2006, among other accomplishments.
Skellefteå’s Leading Scorer Signs Extension
With 67 points (30 goals + 37 assists), Skellefteå’s Oscar Lindberg is confirmed as the SHL’s leading scorer heading into the final round of games, twelve points ahead of teammate Rickard Hugg.
On Thursday, it was officially announced that Lindberg has extended his contract with Skellefteå through 2029.
