Joakim Lindström, 38, and Melker Karlsson, 32, are some of Skellefteå’s most high-profile players in modern times.
Not only that the duo has double SC gold with the Västerbottinnings, they have also had personal success on the SHL ices that led to both NHL contracts and national team games.
Lindström is also considered one of the SHL’s best players of all time and during the 10th century was one of the league’s most prominent forwards, not least in the scoring record.
Last spring he told The north that the ambition was to continue playing.
– I aim to continue. I am having a dialogue with “Forre”. We know each other well and have also played together. I work out and keep fit. We know where we have each other. We’ll see what happens. Hopefully there will be a continuation, he said in May.
But all eras and careers, as you know, come to an end, and now most things say that both Lindström and Karlsson played their last match in Skellefteå.
Despite the fact that several summer months have now passed, Skellefteå has not received any clear information.
– Yes, so… Right now it looks good, maybe… I’m not going to say that it won’t happen, but we’ve been waiting for an announcement and he’s asked for more time, says Erik Forssell about the dialogue with Joakim Lindström .
Are you even writing him off now?
– Well, so… We have said that we didn’t want to do it, because he performed well last season, but when we don’t get a clear message, we have to look elsewhere.
He was open to a continuation last spring and seemed to want to play on, what exactly are you waiting for at this point?
– If he is to continue. He wants more time, that’s what he says.
Podcast: Skellefteå 22/23 – Erik Forssell
Melker Karlsson during the SM gold celebration.
Photo: OLA WESTERBERG / IMAGE AGENCY
The same applies to Melker Karlsson, who returned to Skellefteå in the fall of 2020 after six seasons in the San Jose Sharks.
– It is quite similar. Even there, it is difficult to come to a decision.
When you talk to them, what interpretation do you make of their answers? Quitting, continuing in Skellefteå or changing clubs?
– You can really ask them, but I don’t think they are looking at other clubs anyway.
Do you have a deadline in mind for how long you can wait before you have to prioritize other players?
– We are looking at other players at the moment, that’s how it is.
In summary, can it be said that Skellefteå is preparing for the 22/23 season without Joakim Lindström and Melker Karlsson?
– Yes, that’s perhaps how you can summarize it.
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