Djurgården Hockey is set to make changes to its roster for Thursday's SHL match against Örebro due to several injuries. Captain Marcus Krüger will miss the game, while other key players remain sidelined. Coach Robert Kimby outlined the updates during preparations at Hovet.
Djurgården conducted training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of their SHL encounter with Örebro on Thursday at Behrn Arena. The team lost to Örebro in their first meeting this autumn and seeks revenge in what Kimby expects to be a hard-working contest similar to their recent game against Leksand.
Captain Marcus Krüger exited the Leksand match on Saturday and has not trained on ice since, missing sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday. 'He will not play tomorrow. Unless something miraculous happens, we'll see about Saturday or not. One day at a time here. As it looks now, it doesn't work today and logically neither tomorrow,' Kimby told Hockeynews.
Forward Albin Grewe has sat out the last two games with a foot injury and did not train on Wednesday. Progress is slow: 'It’s moving forward, but with feet, it goes slowly. Not for tomorrow. Probably not this week. We'll see next week when we start again,' said Kimby.
Center Jacob Josefson, one month post-operation, is skating independently but will not return for the remaining regular season games. Recovery could take up to eight weeks, with hopes for a playoff comeback if Djurgården advances. Back Philip Holm, dealing with a longer-term issue, will not travel to Örebro.
Håvard Salsten steps in for Krüger on the line with Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell. 'Our thought is that he is the same type of profile as Marcus with hard work and good in forecheck, winning pucks, strong on puck and strong defensively. We want to continue unleashing Victor and Anton as much as we can,' Kimby explained.
Former Djurgården forward Jesse Ylönen has recorded four goals and three assists in 12 games for Örebro since joining on January 10, compared to three goals and four assists in 24 games with Djurgården. 'It will be fun to meet him too. But no goals…,' Kimby remarked.
Wednesday's training lines included:
- Goaltenders: Magnus Hellberg, Daniel Marmenlind
- Defensemen: Gustav Lindström – Hugo Blixt, Oliver Kylington – Colby Sissons, Jesper Pettersson – Joey LaLeggia, Philip Holm – Valtteri Pulli
- Forwards: Charles Hudon – Viggo Björck – Joe Snively, Victor Eklund – Håvard Salsten – Anton Frondell, David Blomgren – Oula Palve – Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Samuel Solem – Ludvig Rensfeldt – Theo Stockselius
- Extra: Linus Klasen
- Absent: Arvid Costmar (season over), Albin Grewe (injured), Jacob Josefson (injured), Marcus Krüger (injured)
