Sheng’s Daily: Why Didn’t Kellman Choose to Play in SHL?

Yesterday at San Jose Hockey Now, a third scout jumped in on an old, but still very relevant story: Who’s more tradeable, Brent Burns, Marc-Eduard Vlasic, or Erik Karlsson?

UPDATED: Who’s More Tradeable? Scouts Decide Between Burns, Karlsson & Vlasic

In other San Jose Sharks news…

It’s official: The San Jose Sharks have loaned Joel Kellman to Allsvenskan’s Kristianstads IK. (Kristianstads IK)

We spoke with Joel two days ago in advance of this move and he talked about the rumors connecting him and the Allsvenskan side:

Kellman Hopes to Play in Sweden This Year

After Kellman’s loan was announced, many questioned why he didn’t join the SHL, Sweden’s top hockey league.

From what I’ve understood, the SHL isn’t accepting any short-term rentals, which Kellman would’ve been.

But to get further clarity on the topic, I spoke with Swedish hockey insiders Per Bjurman and Uffe Bodin.

Simply: The SHL is not allowing short-term NHL loans, while Allsvenskan is.

There are exceptions, such as newly-signed Shark Fredrik Handemark, who was loaned back to the Malmo Redhawks.

The difference with Handemark and other NHL players who have returned to the SHL like Tobias Bjornfot (Djurgårdens IF) and Joakim Nygard (Färjestad BK)?

They had pre-existing SHL contracts that they were previously allowed to opt out of to play in the North America. Once the NHL starts again, they’ll be allowed to opt out of their SHL contracts again.

So Handemark is still on track to join the San Jose Sharks whenever the 2020-21 season starts.

Joe Thornton still isn’t sure if he’ll play for Davos. (Kevin Kurz)

Eddie Olczyk talks about the value that Joe Pavelski and Barclay Goodrow have added to their Stanley Cup Final teams. (The Mercury News)

Randy Hahn, Bret Hedican and Jamie Baker break down the 2020 Final. (NBC Sports Bay Area)

Tom is awesome — Holy was part of @SanJoseSharksPR from 2005-13, now #GoStars VP of Communications https://t.co/I8vwmyDbgP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 18, 2020

Around the NHL…

Christian Arnold was on site with the many fans who were there to greet the returning Islanders at the airport. (NYI Hockey Now)

St. Louis tells Alex Pietrangelo to explore free agency, how will Vegas fit him in under the cap? (Vegas Hockey Now)

Dave Reid on why Avs shouldn’t sign Taylor Hall. (Colorado Hockey Now)

RFA Jared McCann re-signs with Pittsburgh for two years. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Steven Stamkos won’t play in Game One, but he hasn’t been ruled out for the Stanley Cup Final. (NHL)

After talks break off with the Blues, Alex Pietrangelo opens up. (The Athletic)

Travis Yost on why any team pursuing Oliver Ekman-Larsson should be careful. (TSN)

Jack Han on where Matt Dumba can grow his game. (The Hockey Tactics Newsletter)