Södertälje SK has parted ways with four players: Viktor Liljegren, Filip Engarås, Niclas Westerholm and Leevi Teissala. Engarås has signed a two-year deal with Almtuna. The club continues reshaping its roster after a semifinal exit in the playoffs.
Södertälje SK announced on Friday that Viktor Liljegren, Filip Engarås, Niclas Westerholm and Leevi Teissala will not return next season. This follows the earlier departures of William Wiå, Albin Carlson, Jhonas Ahnelöv, Felix Öhrqvist and Wilhelm Hallquisth. Engarås, who missed much of the playoffs due to a concussion, had been linked to a continued stay but opted for Almtuna instead, according to Hockeynews reports. The other three played key roles in the semifinal run that ended SSK's season. Almtuna confirmed Engarås, 26, on a two-year contract. He recorded 22 points—12 goals and 10 assists—in 51 HockeyAllsvenskan games for SSK last season. Prior to returning to Sweden, Engarås spent seven years in North America, playing 138 AHL matches. Almtuna's new sports chief Jonas Almtorp praised the center: “I Filip får vi in en spelare med goda ledaregenskaper och en center som kommer att bidra med både erfarenhet och stabilitet till laget både på och utanför isen.” Almtorp said to the club's website. Uncertainty lingers for several SSK players with expiring contracts, including Patrik Zackrisson, Carter Ashton, Daniel Norbe, Hampus Harlestam, Filip Windlert, Henrik Eriksson and William Eriksson. Hockeynews reports indicate Norbe, Windlert, Harlestam and Henrik Eriksson have received offers, though at lower salaries amid a reduced budget. Zackrisson, 39 and the team's captain, performed strongly late in the season but has ties to Leksand. Ashton, turning 35 and recovering from a concussion, faces doubts over a new deal despite solid play.