Djurgården has loaned forward Arvid Costmar to Södertälje SK for a fourth time this season, allowing him to play in their HockeyAllsvenskan match against Troja/Ljungby on Friday evening. The 24-year-old center was not dressed for Djurgården's recent game against Frölunda. SSK coach Andreas Johansson confirmed Costmar will join the line with Patrik Zackrisson and Carter Ashton.
Djurgården coach Robert Kimby explained the decision, noting Costmar's need for playing time amid a deep forward roster. "Nu var han utanför igår. Det är jättebra för oss att han har den här möjligheten att få spela matcher, för vi kommer att behöva honom och det väldigt snart," Kimby told Hockeynews. The team currently has 17 forwards available, including injured players Linus Klasen (long-term absence) and David Blomgren (expected back soon). Håvard Salsten served as the 13th forward in the Frölunda game with limited ice time.
This marks Costmar's fourth loan stint with SSK this season, where he has scored one goal in three previous matches. SSK sport chief Emil Georgsson confirmed the loan via SMS, specifying it covers only Friday's game at Scaniarinken. No players from SSK's Wednesday win over Nybro are missing.
Andreas Johansson detailed lineup changes: "Man tar ju ut det bästa laget så klart. Adam gjorde en kanonmatch sist och han är extraforward nu och kommer säkert få istid och jag har pratat med honom om det. Vi behöver alla, på söndag kan det vara helt nya förutsättningar. Det här skapar konkurrens och konkurrens internt, det vill man ha ett i lag," he said to Länstidningen. William Wiå moves to the fourth line, with Adam Hesselvall as 13th forward; Karl Sterner and Filip Holst are scratched.
Costmar becomes available for Djurgården again on Saturday ahead of their home game against Timrå. However, back Gustav Lindström is questionable after missing the Frölunda match. "Jag har inte pratat med medical team ännu. Vi stämmer av här under eftermiddagen så får vi se hur han mår och hur vi gör till imorgon," Kimby said.
Djurgården has other players on loan: goaltender Hugo Hävelid to Nybro (three wins, one shutout, 88.1% save percentage in eight games) and forward Daniel Brodin to Björklöven (no points in three of five games, seeing power-play time). SSK faces Björklöven on Sunday.