Joonas Nättinen, JYP, Liiga
In the two games that JYP played, Nättinen scored a goal in the 5-2 loss against KooKoo. JYP is currently 10th in Liiga and the Izvestia break comes at a good time. Even if Nättinen goes to Russia to play with the Leijonat, the team should be able to get some practices together and strengthen their defensive play.
Lukas Vejdemo, Djurgården, SHL
Djurgården finds itself in much the same position as JYP over in Finland. They have underachieved from what the experts (myself included) thought before the season. They are currently in 12th position, just above the relegation zone. But before the previous national break, they were within that zone, and had nine points to make up to pass the team above.
While Vejdemo’s play has improved, he takes his centre role seriously. In a similar way as Lehkonen did when he played centre in Frölunda last year, he ends up a bit too far from the goal covering the possibility of a rush a bit more than going for goals himself.
His game has improved overall, as has Djurgården’s team play, and it remains to be seen if the added confidence will allow him to add to his points total the coming during the holidays.
Vejdemo added an assist this weekend in the win over Leksand: a secondary assist. He showed good work along the boards, where he could use his big body to free up the puck for the goal.
Arvid Henrikson, AIK U-20, SuperElit
AIK’s U20 team struggled again, but in the 4-3 loss at home to local rivals Djurgården, Henrikson once more came away with an even goal differential (sorry, it’s the only stat available) in the game, showing his defensive acumen, and I would assume a stabilizing presence for the team.
Magnus Nygren, Färjestad, SHL
In back-to-back meetings with Brynäs, the Färjestad captain managed two assists. Nygren will join Nättinen in Russia for the winter tournament, as the defender will suit up for his Tre Kronor.
