Thats actually quite shocking how many of the top European prospects for this draft are property of Frolunda
Oh and the money they'll get when all those kids are signed.
Hmm, wait a sec, they had the worst season (the A team that is) in years (missing the playoff), still they're number three in europe in home audience.
And checking their financial report they are chucking off lots of money minor clubs in the area.
It takes guts to let the young guns play, it also takes guts to say "sorry, I can't find enough ice time for you on this team, I'll ship you somewhere else".
Allowing young players to evolve isn't just letting them play with the A team, shipping them off to a tier-2 or tier-3 team, where they'll get some ice time, is just as valuable.
The A team is of course important, because it's the money maker, it's the part of the operation that feeds all the other parts. But in return it also feeds
on all the other parts.
Keeping that balance, showing up the glorious A team, while silently beavering away on all other levels, is what keeps good teams good.
And this is where SEL and NHL teams differ.
SEL team go all the way down to kiddie hockey, both in their own name, and by supporting several other local teams.
There's no grants, since all (1:st,) 2:nd and 3:rd level education is free for all Nordic citizens within the Nordic nations. There's no draft.
Junior players sign up with the clubs that they think that can evolve them the best.
A good track record with juniors means that juniors want to sign, which in the end gives the A team a very good selection to pick from (and a massive amount of players in the NHL draft).
