He has been sawing, praising, been controversial, and become extremely popular with viewers as an expert commentator on SVT, Viaplay, and above all TV4 for nearly 20 years.
Niklas Wikegård says he has never closed the door to jobs in club hockey.
Since May 1st this year, he has been sports manager for a major club that is doing anything but well and is now preparing for its third consecutive season in Hockey Allsvenskan.
Djurgården is the club in his heart, and it was there he ended his career as head coach in 2005 before taking the step over to TV.
What attracted me to the question was to help Djurgården overall. It's something I've never done before, and that makes it exciting.
Will the Old Men Hold?
Wikegård is sports manager for the entire association, but the men's team is, of course, the focus, and a SHL spot is worth nearly 50 million kronor.
The sooner the better for a club with 16 Swedish Championship titles and which is struggling economically in the second-highest series. Last season ended with a deficit of three million despite a shareholder contribution of nine million kronor.
Many have raised their eyebrows over two of the new acquisitions – Dick Axelsson, 37, who returns after two seasons outside elite hockey, and Patrick Thoresen, 40.
For those who saw them at their best, it's mouthwatering – but the risk of recurring injuries is obvious at their age.
I hope not, they don't have that history. Together with the medical team, we're doing extremely thorough checks. You don't become more durable with age, you know that yourself, so their professionalism and how they prepare will be crucial.
A Situation Without a Super Team
He emphasizes the overall picture and not least the team's exciting junior players.
You can't forget... which Allsvenskan team has five juniors? What we and Robert Kimby (the new coach) have put together is a team that has both youth and veterans. The balance in the team feels incredibly exciting.
Many believe that this season is a dream scenario without a super team like last year's Brynäs or HV71 previously.
Of course, there is no super team now. But Hockey Allsvenskan has never been as good, there have never been as many strong teams as now. Many are sensing a new dawn, says Wikegård.
Not least Wikegård's Djurgården.
Björklöven: After last year's mid-season, they are making a big push in Umeå. They have recruited Färjestad's passing genius Marcus Nilsson, HV's sharpshooter Fredrik Forsberg, and a couple of high-class defenders from series competitors. More are also on the way.
Södertälje: Getting better and better for each season, but have not succeeded in the playoffs. Perhaps the main challenger to Björklöven and Djurgården.
Oskarshamn: Has the economic advantage of a parachute payment of six million kronor after being relegated from the SHL. The disadvantage is that the team has had to be rebuilt almost entirely. 20 (!) players have left, and 15 new acquisitions have been made. A tough job for new coach Björn Karlsson to get everything together.
Bubblers: AIK, Karlskoga, Mora, Nybro, Västerås.
Friday, 18.00: Oskarshamn–Djurgården. 19.00: Björklöven–Västerås, Östersund–Mora, Bik Karlskoga–Almtuna, Vimmerby–Nybro, Kalmar–Tingsryd. 20.30: AIK–Södertälje.
