This is what expert Magnus Nygren says about Egli’s decision to play in Sweden: “It will make him better.”

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Magnus Nygren is impressed by Dominik Egli’s decision. “He leaves his comfort zone, which says a lot about his character and will,” says the ex-HC Davos defender. He is convinced: “Playing in Sweden will make Domi better. He fills his hockey backpack with more and different experience.”

Why does the 33-year-old, who returned to Färjestad from HCD last summer, emphasize this so? In his home country, many experts would probably support the claim that the near-perfect defender comes from Sweden. Nygren is one of them and grew up in Karlstad near Färjestad. He played seven seasons in the SHL before moving to Graubünden for six years in 2017 to explore the more attacking side of his game. At the HCD he became a crowd favorite.

Nygren knows both competitions and their differences. «The SHL is more structured. The focus is very much on the game system. The successful teams talk about their system all the time.” There is hardly any freedom in it. That is why the SHL is often labeled as ‘boring’. But it still has its charm. According to Nygren, there are almost never losing teams and therefore many close games.

Each player fulfills his role. “A defender,” says Nygren, “is more important in Sweden.” Work ethic, trust, system – and a deep understanding of defensive behavior. These are key words that have already been instilled in the juniors, who make the step to men’s hockey seamlessly and without any problems.

There is only one negative point for Egli

That is not the only reason why no one there is waiting for a Swiss who in their eyes is no longer so young. But why else? “No Swedish club is looking for a Swiss, because the question here is: why would a Swiss prefer to play in the SHL and give 50 percent of the salary?” If someone like Egli really wants it, then there is certainly interest.

Nygren testifies that his former teammate has the skills for the SHL. “As a defender you have less time on the puck and you come under pressure more quickly. But Domi can handle that, he is agile.” For Egli there is only one negative point: “He will soon realize that he can no longer use the creative side of his game here.”

But Nygren points to another advantage that he imagines is also in the back of Egli’s mind. “In our SHL you are one step closer to the NHL than in the National League.” From North America people are looking more consciously towards Sweden. Do you want impressive numbers? There are currently 82 Swedes involved in the NHL, but only 9 Swiss. This is despite the fact that the two countries are comparable in size: Sweden has 10.4 million inhabitants, Switzerland 8.7 million.

Source : Blick