Rickard Wallin has recruited an analyst, now he is actively trying to finish his first player acquisition.
Photo: Tommy Andersson
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Jens Westin and now also Jesse Virtanen injured – and in a few weeks Joel Nyström will disappear at JVM.
Now FBK is not just looking at the back market, now they are actively looking.
– We need to broaden, but do not panic, says sports director Rickard Wallin.
Assistant coach Thomas Rhodin, with responsibility for the slopes, was clear after the Luleå match with his wish:
– If it continues with Westin and Joel comes away, then we probably need another back, if I may wish, he said to VF with a laugh.
And now Rhodin looks to get the Christmas present he wanted, or at least Rickard Wallin in his role as sporting director has started to walk around and look in the shop windows ready to strike.
– If you look at the back side as it is built, it is with the idea that Mikael Wikstrand and Jesse Virtanen will be able to swallow a lot of ice time. When one of them does not play, others are required to “step in”. Now Jens has not played for a while, heavy for him but it also means that we will be thin, says Wallin and continues:
– That’s why we look and try to find the right hill, without panicking for that matter. Because Anton Berglund has stepped in and done well, which means that we go up to Timrå with six slopes we think are good. But it’s clear, we can count on Joel disappearing at JVM and then it looks thin …
– There is little to think about.
What does the market look like?
– My picture is that at the end of November it is like this that there is not a plethora of players looking for a club. You can hope for a little luck, for someone who may not have really had the chance and wants to test in another club, says Wallin and continues:
Both Jesse Virtanen and Jens Westin are missing in Thursday’s match against Timrå.
Photo: FREDRIK KARLSSON
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– It is important to have patience, good contacts and look around. And as I said, we feel no desperation. It is mainly breadth we are looking for, so I may have a dialogue with the coaches in the future – this is a living question.
Can not star recruit
The resources FBK has to deal with are also limited.
– Eric Gelinas was admittedly already linked to Rögle, but we had not got such a player in our budget. Or a Sami Lepistö that Luleå picked up. We have already used what we had on the goalkeeper side.
– Now we will see what we can find and how we can solve this. Injuries always happen, you have to plan for that. And that Joel would most likely disappear at JVM, we have also known for a while.
Forshagabacken Herman Johansson was present at Wednesday’s training.
– Forshaga has done well and is close by. Then it is clear it is a big step from division 1 to SHL, but it is also a little encouragement to the players around the county that we keep track of them, to be able to give a chance that like Herman today unconditionally get to step on a training and feeling the pace.
Not looking forward
Even on the forward side, Färjestad has a break for some time to come, Michael Lindqvist’s broken thumb keeps him away until around the turn of the year.
But there you do not actively look in the same way.
– Damn boring for “Linkan”, he has had a motley season. But going forward, we can be happy with the width we have, also in terms of the tip where many players have the capacity to lift a lot of ice time, says Wallin and adds:
– In the situation we are in, not only tip is required, where everyone is required to maximize their performance. That part I thought looked good last week, hopefully it will continue to look the same even now.
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