Veteran forward Linus Klasen, 39, returned to the SHL with Djurgården in their 0-1 home loss to Malmö Redhawks, marking his first competitive game in nine months following multiple injuries. Despite some rust in the tight defeat at Hovet, Klasen showed promise with sharp shots and logged solid ice time. He discussed his performance, team struggles, and future plans amid an expiring contract.
Linus Klasen finally got his season underway with Djurgården, stepping onto the ice for his first SHL match—a 0-1 loss to Malmö Redhawks—after a prolonged absence. The 39-year-old forward had not played competitively since the Allsvenskan final against AIK nine months ago. His preseason was derailed by an initial injury, followed by a serious arm injury during junior matches in September, which required surgery.
In the game, Klasen admitted to feeling the effects of his layoff. "Det var lite otajmat och jag har några dåliga pucktouch. Det kommer att bli bättre och bättre. Jag har inte spelat sedan mot AIK ordentligt," he said, noting it would take a few matches to regain his rhythm. He played on a line with Oula Palve and David Blomgren, logging 13:28 of ice time over 20 shifts.
Djurgården created opportunities in the first 30 minutes but struggled with inefficiency, lacking presence in front of Malmö goaltender Oskar Blomgren. Klasen had a sharp shot in the power play that just missed the post and another attempt late, where Marcus Krüger nearly forced a tie. "Vi har några lägen första 30, men är ineffektiva. Det straffar oss lite," Klasen reflected. He emphasized the high tempo and his strategy of short shifts to manage energy, while stressing the need for more net-front battles: "Tyngd. Det är många gånger vi tar skotten idag och vi har inga gubbar framför deras målvakt."
With only the final quarter of the season left and his three-year contract expiring in the spring, Klasen is focused on proving his worth. Turning 40 in February, he wants to extend his career but has not discussed renewal with Djurgården's sporting director Niklas Wikegård. "Fokus på här och nu," he said, prioritizing top form to remain a threat.
