Swedish Oil by dohfOs

Oilers trying to convince Klefbom to stay with guaranteed ice-time

When I (via Mr. Eriksson) broke the news to Canada that Klefbom was about to sign his ELC with the Edmonton Oilers it was also said that Klefbom would remain with his Swedish team, Färjestad (not Färjestads with an “s”) BK, for another season. This might be changing.

The reason for this is that the Oilers brass are now trying to convince the young Swede to remain with (and in) Edmonton come 2013/14. And while the signing of Schultz (the younger) led you (well: me) to believe they wouldn’t go with Klefbom this year (two rookie defensemen might not be the best way to go about things) a tremendous rookie camp along with the new coach Kreuger in charge things seem to have changed. According to sources who’ve talked to Klefbom the Oilers have tried to persuade Klefbom, offering him a spot on the Oilers roster with guaranteed ice-time, a guarantee that the highly thought of Schultz didn’t receive (or so they say). Klefbom have yet to make up his mind, saying “it’s obviously a lucrative offer” that “makes you think” but “nothing is decided yet and I’ve asked them for more time to make a final decision”.

It’s a bit surprising but then again, maybe it isn’t. Stauffer did hint about Klefbom being miles ahead of the rest of the D-prospects (and that’s usually a good tell) and the Oilers web team seem to want to make Klefbom possibly coming over a bigger story than it perhaps should’ve been (seeing Klefbom earlier had said he would remain in Sweden). Personally I believe that Klefbom would be able to make the jump, in a lesser role, but he’s a very mature young guy indeed. I’d say he’s more “NHL-ready” than say Murray, I’d also say Klefbom would have gone higher than Murray had he been 2 months younger (and perhaps that says something?) - told you when we drafted him and I’m saying it again - Klefbom at #19 was a steal.

The Färjestad “GM” (well, sort of) didn’t know anything about the Oilers trying to lure Klefbom to cross the pond earlier than said and he remains confident that Klefbom did do well during the rookie camp but would stay in Sweden, get a bigger role with his team and seize the opportunity to represent Tre Kronor (Team Sweden), with that said - Färjestad did sign a Finnish defenseman, pretty much out of the blue, just the other day but maybe that’s reading too much into things..

It’s still up in the air and I suppose it’s all about what’s best for the development of the player and the organization as whole. I’m guessing most would say another year in the SEL (or even in the AHL) would be best and they might very well be right. But I believe that Klefbom wouldn’t make Kreuger (or even Tambo) look dumb for playing his as soon as this coming season. Then again - guaranteed ice-time is never, at least in my book, a good thing. Earn it.

“Update”..

Yeah, wouldn’t really call it an update but HockeySverige made a brief addition to the Klefbom story where Klefbom have told ‘em today that he’s “leaning towards staying with Färjestad” as he feels that staying in Sweden for another year would probably benefit his development more than risking to take a leap over the pond too early. Which basically means that the Oilers still want him to come over, Klefbom is still undecided but the ball is very likely with him.

07.04.12 ♥ 0

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Klefbom set to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers

Klefbom - WINNER For those of you who follow me on Twitter (@dohfOs) you’ll know by now that the Swedish prospect Oscar Klefbom did receive a phone call from the Tre Kronor head coach Pär Mårts (who calls Klefbom the next big thing in Swedish hockey) to finally make his debut this week with the Swedish national team. It was meant to be sort of a tryout ahead of Worlds after a excellent ending to the season by Klefbom whom throughout the playoffs was matched against the other teams top-scorers, but by the look of things - it just wasn’t meant to be. Klefbom is once again out, this time a Charley horse got in the way, nothing serious but he won’t be playing with the grown-ups this time around.

But as bad news as that might have been for the young Swede, as good is the other. My friend over at Värmlands Folkblad (“VF”, local paper of Karlstad), Johan Eriksson, revealed that Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini, had gone over to Stockholm, Sweden, to meet up with Oscar and finalize his first deal that will make him an Oiler-lock, a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers.

Oscar Klefbom will however remain in Sweden for one more season but is looking to come over to Edmonton for at least one camp this coming season.

Eriksson of VF had a chat with Klefbom about the meeting with Oilers GM (freely translated by myself).

Klefbom on the meeting with Steve Tambellini..

- I was a little nervous at first (when meeting up with Tambellini), a bit afraid that he would only put up a plan for my future should look like. But he asked rather a lot of questions about how the season has been, how it looks in Färjestad next year and how I felt about myself, the whole situation, both personally and in terms of hockey. (Signing a contract with the Oilers) is a major thing. NHL has always been the biggest dream for me and the fact they want to sign to a contract now is a proof that they are satisfied with me.

On the next season..

- I explained to him (Tambellini) that I really enjoy working here and what the situation looks like in Färjestad, when Frögren, Sevc and Berglund disappears, it favours me. I’m going up a few notches. We agreed that I would stay another year here (in Sweden, with Färjestad), it will do me good, there’s no stress. Edmonton want me to go over to a camp so I that I will feel more like a part of the team and get to meet all the big stars like Taylor Hall and the others. We’ll see when it gets, it also depends on what Färjestad allows me to do. The club has some real big stars emerging at once and also got a new first choice in the draft this summer. I feel like the timing signing with them and going over there will be perfect, Klefbom smiles.

Klefbom have earlier on stated that he’s no stranger to spending time in the AHL but believes he’s better of playing big minutes and getting even more responsibility with Färjestad, which is more than likely to happen coming into 2012/13. Next year he will be eligible to play in the WJC again, he will play a big part, not only with Färjestad but also in national tournaments with Tre Kronor. All in all this seems to be a very wise decision from both parties. Klefbom is now set to be an Oiler but his contract won’t start ticking until next year. From what I’ve seen of Klefbom this season he could very well have made Oilers straight out of training camp this fall but one more year will, just as he put it himself, do him good. Looking at his success during WJC translating his game to the smaller rink doesn’t seem like a big issue (although the quality of competition is obviously harder in the NHL, duh).

Something tells me I was right last summer, shortly after Klefbom was picked, when I wrote..

Both Brodin and Klefbom comes from the ultimate Swedish winning culture and with Klefbom being the bigger one (size-wise) it’s more or less the ultimate pick for the Oilers. Klefbom is an ace. Not only am I happy we didn’t pick Larsson, I’m also thrilled we ended up with Klefbom, not only is Stu a magnificent bastard, the pick itself is equally magnificent and I for one wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up being a future fan-favorite among Oil-fans.

..I still stand by those words.

04.20.12 ♥ 1

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Olivier Roy ECHL Goaltender of the Week Comments

As mentioned on Twitter a day or three ago Oilers prospect Oilivier Roy have done it again. Won the ECHL Goaltender of the Week award. Good for him, and good for the Oilers who really seem to have two goalie prospects behind Khabby and Dubey in Roy and Bunz. Obviously an ECHL Goaltender of the Week award might not say _that_ much but it looks to me as if Roy is constantly improving and if nothing else, that’s a good sign.

There have been so much news this week so I don’t know where to start and what to feel. Oilers are now without RNH, Gilbert, Eberle and Whitney.. add to that, the loss of Brule on re-entry waivers (best of luck in Phoenix!) - a guy that I’ve always felt for and now Kytnar is getting a emergency recall to the Oilers with O’Marra feeling ill. Glad Kytnar might get the chance of his life, but I would’ve like to see Martindale instead. Way more potential in that kid but I suppose they went with the defensive aspect and experience.

MPS is back with the Oil. I’m glad. Omark will remove his cast any day now and he was joking he should be ready to play this weekend, that won’t happen of course but god damnit I miss him.

Latest on Klefbom.. his own words:

“The more ice-time I see with Färjestad during the remainder of the year, the bigger the chances are that I’m trying my luck on the other side of the pond as soon as next season”

To be honest, if Fowler was ready to make the jump in 2010 and Larsson in 2011 - I see no reason why Klefbom wouldn’t be ready for 2012.

600k Swedish viewers saw Sweden win the WJC-gold medal live on TV. The game started at 2AM and ended around 5AM. To put in in others numbers.. that would (since I have mainly Canadian followers here) mean that if Canada want to reach these numbers during the WJC 2014 (when it’s hosted in Sweden) ~2100000 Canadians have to stay up in the middle of the night to watch Canada play.

But seriously.. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadians will beat the crap out of that number.

01.11.12 ♥ 8

Zoom

It’s fucking unbelievable. I can’t describe it, just listen (to the crowd)! I was so fucking nervous but now we’ve won this fucking gold!

Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom directly after winning the WJC gold-medal.
Klefbom was also named in the WJC all-star team and basically none of the “highly regarded” Swedish journalists and “experts” did not see Klefbom as the best Swedish player along with Friberg of the entire tournament.
After the Oilers drafted Klefbom I wrote:

I’m thrilled we ended up with Klefbom, not only is Stu a magnificent bastard, the pick itself is equally magnificent.

I still stand by those words.. Some have raised concerns as Klefbom haven’t been able to produce in points either in of the SEL nor the WJC but as Steve Schulte told me tonight on Twitter; Klefbom proves stat sheets aren’t everything.
Grattis till guldet Klefa!

It’s fucking unbelievable. I can’t describe it, just listen (to the crowd)! I was so fucking nervous but now we’ve won this fucking gold!

Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom directly after winning the WJC gold-medal.

Klefbom was also named in the WJC all-star team and basically none of the “highly regarded” Swedish journalists and “experts” did not see Klefbom as the best Swedish player along with Friberg of the entire tournament.

After the Oilers drafted Klefbom I wrote:

I’m thrilled we ended up with Klefbom, not only is Stu a magnificent bastard, the pick itself is equally magnificent.

I still stand by those words.. Some have raised concerns as Klefbom haven’t been able to produce in points either in of the SEL nor the WJC but as Steve Schulte told me tonight on Twitter; Klefbom proves stat sheets aren’t everything.

Grattis till guldet Klefa!

01.06.12 ♥ 4

“ Oscar Klefbom good to go Thursday (24th)

—

Färjestad BK physiotherapist, Mattias Hell, bring us the good news on Oilers prospect Klefbom, who suffered a minor concussion while representing his country.

Before his injury Oscar Klefbom played some very solid hockey, receiving praise from all over, paired with Wild prospect Jonas Brodin - the youngest defensive pairing in the SEL.

11.21.11 ♥ 12

Latest on Klefbom: injured again? *

Brodin and Klefbom Since returning to Färjestad BK (from their junior team) Klefbom have been paired with fellow draftee Brodin and they’ve done good, very good. So good both of ‘em were in talks about being called up for Team Sweden (Tre Kronor) which is rare when it comes to Swedish junior D-prospects. Brodin eventually got the call but by the look of things Team Sweden head coach Pär Mårts have been really impressed with how Klefbom have performed and his maturity and if Oscar keeps playing like he have he may very well end up playing a game or three with the grownups before the season is over.

But, with no call from Team Sweden, Klefbom went on to play with Team Sweden U-20 instead. In the second game, “Småkronorna” (Swedish for “Little Crowns”, “Tre Kronor” means “Three Crowns” btw, referring to when the Swedish King was king over both Sweden, Norway and Denmark - history lesson of today) faced Russia and it would seem as if Klefbom might be out with a concussion. Finnish sports writer Sami Hoffrén told me:

Klefbom was hit to the head by a Russian forward and he had to leave the game. Didn’t play in the tournament after that hit. I assume Klefbom suffered a concussion.

As Mr. Hoffrén points out, Klefbom did not play in the last game (Sweden rocked Finland, 5-0!) but there have been no reports on Klefbom being injured. I’ve checked with the local media in Karlstad, the city of Färjestad BK, and they don’t know anything (and they usually do if there is something to report). I first took the news of Klefbom not playing as nothing more than that the coach wanted to have a look at other players but the input by Hoffrén is somewhat scary (I did not see the mentioned hit myself). This would be the second time this season Oilers second first round draft pick have suffered from a concussion like injury, or at the very least a heavy hit to the head and also the third time (see the scar on his thigh btw), just this season, Oscar Klefbom have suffered from an injury. Klefbom is an Oiler alright..

I will report more on this as soon as I have an update.

* UPDATE

Bad news, I just managed to track down some official word on Oscar Klefbom and he did indeed suffer from a concussion in the game vs. Russia and with that put on “IR”. He won’t be following his team Färjestad BK on their coming roadtrip.

Also thanks to Greg Atkins for making me focus on getting information on the subject..

11.14.11 ♥ 9

Both sides of the pond: A quick weekend update

First a quick look at some of the Oilers prospects and their performance this weekend. Klefbom finally played a full game after being left out for most part early in the season with Färjestads BK. Färjestad have had their worst start of a season in almost 20 years and the only good news here would be that Klefbom haven’t been a part of that. In their 1-4 loss (vs. Brynäs IF) Klefbom played about 13 minutes but were not on the ice for any goals against. Hopefully Klefbom will be awarded with more time on the ice.

09.25.11 ♥ 3

Liam Reddox makes history, scores the first ever Växjö Lakers goal.

Växjö Lakers also feurured former Oilers and OKC Barons in goalie Martin Gerber and centreman Brad Moran. The former Oilers did make quite the impression in the game, which also was the first ever win for Växjö. Outside scoring the first ever Växjö-goal Reddox also lead the team in shots (4), Moran was solid on the dot with 55% FOW (11/20) and Gerber saved the day (literary) stopping 37 shots in a 94,87% outing. Now why Oilers didn’t make sure to hold on to him is beyond me.

Oilers prospect Klefbom did play for Färjestad, acting as the 7th D (yes, you can dress 7 defenders in SEL) but was not mentioned in the post-game statistics.

09.15.11 ♥ 50

Klefbom good to go, concussion fears ruled out

As Lowetide reported over at OilersNation, fears were that Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom was injured (again). Klefbom got a shoulder-tackle to his chin (during a tough practice four days ago) which caused him losing his helmet and bumping his head on the ice without protection and suspicions were that the hit might have left Klefbom (a place on the never ending list of Oilers players..) with a concussion.

However, I managed to get a official word from Färjestads BK were they told me Klefbom is good to go.

Klefbom is ok. He was up at the office an hour ago and looked fit and fresh.

So there you have it.

Oh, and Klefbom was quoted the other day saying he’s looking forward to defending the cup with Färjestad. The Swedish Elite League kicks off this Thursday for Klefbom when Färjestad will take on their opponent from the 2010/11 SEL-finale, Skellefteå AIK. It looks like Klefbom will be ready if called upon, though I personally wouldn’t be all that surprised if he’s a healthy scratch the first one or two games considering his pre-season bruises. But lets hope he gets to see some action straight away.

And on another note. A look in to the future: Oilers 7 - Canucks 2. Hell yeah it was worth staying up all night to watch a rookie game.

09.12.11 ♥ 31

Unlucky Klefbom prohibited from playing

So far this preseason Oilers second pick in the first round the draft, Oscar Klefbom, have posted a 5-0-1-1 E rating with his Färjestads BK. He was later sent to play with the Swedish U20’s but his journey was cut (literally) short.

Klefbom was unlucky enough to get cut on his thigh by an ice skate, the wound was sewn with ten stitches, and when the stitches were removed there was an infection. Now Klefbom is on penicillin which also prohibits him from playing.

Some of you have been wondering why he haven’t been participating in the last couple of games for Färjestads BK. Now you know.. I’ll let you know when he’s back on the ice or if anything else pops up.

09.01.11 ♥ 2

Some quick thoughts on Klefbom by the Swede

It’s been a busy summer.. ..and spring, which might explain my absence. I’ve been moving my life from one place to another (just to have it moved again this autumn). Either way, It’s well about time I got to share some of my thoughts on the last couple of moves the Oilers have made.

First of, the draft.. I wasn’t never rooted for the Oilers to pick RNH, but I do realize we needed a future (possible) star centerman, something we’ve lacked since.. Weight? So even though I’m a Landeskog-fan, I’m supporting our pick for sure. We needed RNH more than we needed Landeskog (also, now Gregor never have to remember how to pronounce it). As my followers on twitter (might) have learned, I’m not a big fan of Larsson, never really understood the hype. Fine, he’s a solid future D for Sweden. I can’t see him ever be near the likes of Lidström and I’ve never really understood why people _always_ seem to compare the two. Also, talk about a boring personality.. he’s good, might become great.. buuut - simply put, Larsson was a player I never wanted the Oilers to pick.

But, we got ourselves another Swede (hooray for me right?), actually - HELL (in Sweden we’re allowed to curse whenever we want to even in mainstream media) YES! My fav. Swedish team in the SEL is Färjestads BK (which actually translates to “The Ball Club of the City of Ferries” (or even funnier, “the City of Color”) - now there’s a dumb name for a hockey-team.. well, any team really) and the team I follow on a day-to-day basis in my own country. In this draft “we” (well, I’ve been a fan of Färjestads BK for the last 20+ish years, so I guess I’m allowed to say “we”) had two D’s, Brodin and a name you’re now all familiar with - Klefbom (pronounced “KLae-bom” - with a slightly longer “o” and a silent f). One thing I’m not so certain Canadians (or Americans) realize is that Färjestads BK is the number one team in Sweden, it’s the most consistent, it has the most stars and as a fan - you’re disappointed if the team doesn’t reach the grand final year in and year out. There is no team in the NHL which you can compare Färjestads BK with.. there isn’t a team in the NHL that dominates their league in similar fashion. With that said, it’s far from easy being a junior and get ice-time with the Swedish champs, for most, it would be a mere impossibility (which oughta explain why Brodin and Klefbom didn’t play a complete season with the club). Both Brodin and Klefbom comes from the ultimate Swedish winning culture and with Klefbom being the bigger one (size-wise) it’s more or less the ultimate pick for the Oilers. While I wouldn’t compare him to Lidström there is still soooo much quality here the Oilers could (and now - will) use in their rebuild. And were Larsson lacks personality, Klefbom is an ace. And as long as he’ll get to learn English properly, that too will be something the Oilers can use. We’re (we as in Oilers) a team in need of strong personalities (which is the main reason I’m really happy Jones got himself a new contract) and in time, Klefbom will add to that as long as he ain’t brought down now when he’s more of a public figure than before the draft.

I’m not gonna ramble on about the fact he’s also great with the puck, plays with an edge that could prove really valuable in the future, and the fact players in Färjestads BK compares Klefbom to a certain Anton Lander (a 17-18 y/o being a leader with authority among men) because you’ve probably read that all before.

Either way - not only am I happy we didn’t pick Larsson, I’m also thrilled we ended up with Klefbom, not only is Stu a magnificent bastard, the pick itself is equally magnificent and I for one wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up being a future fan-favorite among Oil-fans. I doubt he’s NHL-ready as soon as this autumn, but he wouldn’t make a fool out himself in the AHL.

Guess one should start try lobbying to get our big Swede onto Twitter..

Oh.. and I promise not to be slacking as much in the future when it comes to updating the Swedish Oil. At least I’ve settled down for the summer now.

06.30.11 ♥ 13