The last few years' relegations from the SHL – HV71 and Djurgården – have been star-studded teams that were not tipped in advance in any relegation battle.
Mattias Tedenby left HV71 in 2019 for three years abroad.
During that period, HV managed to both leave the SHL and get back.
- The whole association and the city got a reality check.
There are small margins and sometimes it is not the best team that wins, but the team that best follows the game plan and plays correctly, says Tedenby before the season premiere.
"It's a charm"
From time to time, the debate about closing the SHL is raised.
Most recently during the pandemic, Linköping, among others, opened up to such a scenario - but Tedenby does not think it is an option for Swedish hockey.
- It's a charm that it can go both ways.
If you look at other leagues that are locked, it destroys the tension down there in the table.
In Finland, you start selling players when you don't go to the playoffs, and the top teams mostly meet junior teams then.
Therefore, I think it has been good for Swedish hockey to stick to this system.
Then you have to be at your best every day.
- Of course, for us players it's fine if the league is closed, but if you look at the entertainment value and the teams from below that are aiming for the top, it's still good with promotion and relegation.
The SHL starts on Saturday and HV71 face Luleå in the premiere.