European hockey countries are currently feverishly looking for reinforcements, but there aren’t many available. The economy also affects the competitiveness of SM league clubs.
The transfer noises of the Ice Hockey Championship League are special this year, as the league board decided to exceptionally keep two transfer limits.
The transfer deadline for intra-league transfers is January 31 and for international transfers February 15.
Read more: The SM League is accused of a breach of contract and an illegal decision – this is how the sports director explains
The league board decided on the matter in complete silence last spring and only announced the matter at the beginning of January.
– My personal opinion is that an international transfer limit would be optimal. It can be even earlier or later, whichever is best, Tappara’s sports manager Antti Tuomenoksa says.
– After the season, it’s easy to say whether it was good or bad, but at the moment the opinion is that this practice is messed up a little bit.
One transfer limit?
Also HIFK’s director of sports Tobias Salmelainen would rather choose a single and clear transfer limit. However, he understands that the current system serves the clubs with regard to the EHT tournament at the beginning of February.
– If there is a bad injury, it gives the opportunity to react in that case. Of course, I wish there was a limit and I’ve always been in favor of the sooner the better.
– The further it goes, in a certain way the league tables settle and the stupid transfer of income within the league begins.
Salmelainen hopes that the transfer limit will be at the end of January in the future with a certain condition.
– If a player in the national team is injured for the rest of the season, it would be possible until the 15th to get a replacement player.
The Pelicans are looking for a defenseman
When Urheilu asked Tappara, Ilves, HIFK, Pelicans and Jukurei about possible acquisitions, many answered neutrally that they were following the situation.
Of the five, HIFK and Pelicans seemed to be the most active, at least based on their comments.
– At the moment we have a target for the defensive end and we are trying to get confirmation for that. There are a few injuries, that’s why, Pelicans athletic director Janne Laukkanen comment.
According to Salmelainen, HIFK is trying to find reinforcements. He also reminds us of the balance of the economy: if someone is acquired, the door also opens in the other direction.
– In every game, we currently evaluate which area could be better. We’ve had a lot of injuries and absences and now we’ve got the team together. Now is a good time to assess the situation.
Ability to pay increased in AHL
There have been no major changes in the player market in recent years. Ilves sports director Timo Koskela illustrates that some experienced players left the market due to the corona virus.
– The market has been similar in recent years. There aren’t terribly many top players available to strengthen the team except in special cases.
According to Salmelainen, there have been many influencing factors.
– The things that happened in relation to the dollar and the euro and how, after the pandemic, AHL’s salaries have risen considerably. The income level in the AHL has recovered and exceeded the previous level.
– The war in Europe is keeping players away at the moment. It also seems that other countries are also on the market here looking for players.
All countries are looking for top players, but the SM league is not able to pay for the toughest leagues.
– If we talk at the league level and the European level, the SHL has more financial resources, not to mention Switzerland. Even in the Czech Republic, certain teams have surprisingly large coffers, says Tuomenoksa.
Six matches will be played in the SM league on Friday evening. The ice hockey tour in Areena follows the events from 18:00.