A different pandemic season ends with an equally different World Cup. The players live in a bubble and have been forced to play all matches so far without fans in the stands. - I long for the audience and the atmosphere that will be then, says Magnus Nygren to SVT Sport.

Tre Kronor has played all their group games without fans in the stands and the same applies tonight against the Russian World Cup team.

But from tomorrow, spectators are allowed in the arenas in Riga.

In the large hall, Arena Riga, up to 2660 spectators are allowed.

In the smaller Olympic Hall, the number is 1058.

Magnus Nygren is making his third WC in his career and has, among other things, been involved in taking bronze in Minsk in 2014.

- This has not been like any other World Cup.

But now you are used to empty stands and that there are more boring conditions in that sense.

It's sadder for everyone.

For you in the media, for me who plays, for everyone who watches.

You are used to the World Cup usually being a real folk party, says Nygren to SVT Sport.

What does it mean for the World Cup atmosphere to bring in the fans?

- It will be a lift and an extra kick.

It will be super fun to see some faces up there again that will hopefully make some noise.

I think we are all extremely much looking forward to that.

We long for the fans.

Not just the cardboard heads?

- Haha, exactly.

All credit to them and those who put in the time, but I prefer real people.

Top scorer in the Swiss league

Behind him, the hard-shooting hill, who is the team captain in Davos, has his best season in terms of points so far since moving to Switzerland four years ago.

With 14 hits, he became the league's most dangerous defender, and in total there were 35 points in 48 games.

Hans Davos finished eight in the regular season, but then lost 1-2 in matches against Bern and missed a quarter-final place in the playoffs.

- A good season personally, but a disappointment legally.

We went out way too early and did not get it together when it mattered most and there I take care of myself quite a lot.

I wish we could have screwed everything together and played much longer than we did, says the 30-year-old.

The dream of the NHL is alive

He has two years left on his contract with Davos, with an option for another year.

- I thrive in Switzerland.

I was welcomed with great respect from the very beginning.

It has worked well on the ice and on the side for me, Lisa and the kids.

I will stay for another couple of years.

Magnus Nygren was drafted in 2011 by the Montreal Canadiens and between 2013 and 2015 he played for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL, which is Montreal's grandfather team.

"Nygga" made several preseason games with Montreal, but has never had the chance in the NHL.

Is that dream still alive?

- If you dream, you do ... then I do not know how realistic it is.

Then it probably takes a little more of both me and the team than how we started this tournament.

The World Cup can be a good showcase.

But I have not intended to stop dreaming today in any case so that dream may live on for a while longer.

Open for comeback in the SHL

Karlstadsonen Nygren has both a Swedish Championship gold in 2011 with Färjestad and a silver in 2014 on the merit list.

Are you open to a comeback in the SHL?

- It would be stupid to close a few doors when I am 30 years old.

In the long run, it is probably something I have imagined that I want to do again, so that door is absolutely open.

And then it's only FBK that counts, I guess?

- It's not just me who has to make such a decision.

The other party must also want it.

I'm old enough to understand that there is a lot that needs to be done.

But it is clear that it would have been an easy solution considering that I have a house there, come from there and feel incredibly much for that association.

Even though I have not played there in a few years, it is still the team I grew up with and follow most closely.

It would have been some kind of dream scenario to return there, but it's not just my decision.

Has there been interest from other SHL clubs that have grabbed you?

- Yes, it has.

But since the day I left Karlstad and FBK, my highest priority has been to find solutions with Davos.

It's more my agent who takes care of that bit, but in any case there have been no far-reaching discussions.

HIGHLIGHTS: Sweden-Slovakia

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Magnus Nygren: "The World Cup is usually a folk festival - we miss the audience"

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