Last year, Skellefteå's forward profile Oscar Lindberg won the scoring league (51 points) and in the end, both he and the rest of the team stood as Swedish champions.
He is clearly a candidate this season, which starts with the premiere round on Saturday.
But if you ask around among potential top scorers, one name comes up a bit more frequently than others: Örebro's new acquisition Patrik Karlkvist, 32 years old.
Luleå's wizard Linus Omark and Skellefteå's back and point machine Jonathan Pudas are both aspirants for top placements in the scoring league.
"Well-trained and strong"
Both bring up Karlkvist as the scoring league winner.
He is often at the top and gets a big role in Örebro, says Pudas.
Karlkvist himself does not disagree.
As the preseason has started and the feeling I have in my body, I hope to be up there. I feel well-trained and strong, he says.
During his two first seasons in Oskarshamn, he became fourth and second, respectively, when he poured in 52 and 61 points.
Last season was marked by injuries and poor form for him and Oskarshamn, which was relegated from the SHL.
Now he comes to an Örebro that many point out as a relegation candidate after all the turbulence during 2024.
If Karlkvist gets a cannon season, it is likely thanks to him that Örebro ends up higher than the pre-season tips.
"Many fine names"
He himself votes for a Finn.
There are many fine names, David Tomasek in Färjestad (goal scorer last year), Ty Rattie in Linköping (point two last year) and "Jonte" Dahlén (Timrå). But I have previously said Mikael Ruohomaa in Frölunda, so I'll stick to that, says Karlkvist.
Timrå duo Filip Hållander and Jonathan Dahlén vote for each other – such chain companions are they.
Filip Hållander is awesome, a fantastic hockey player. Our new playing system suits him with his fantastic skating and intensity, says Dahlén.
Oscar Lindberg and Ty Rattie are narrow favorites with a couple of betting companies.
2023-24: Oscar Lindberg, Skellefteå, 50 matches – 18 goals – 33 assists – 51 points.
2022-23: Antti Suomela, Oskarshamn, 51 – 37 – 29 – 66.
2021-22: Ryan Lasch, Frölunda, 52 – 13 – 53 – 66.
2020-21: Marek Hrivik, Leksand, 44 – 14 – 37 – 51.
2019-20: Marcus Nilsson, Färjestad, 50 – 12 – 42 – 54.
