Two games, two wins and a 10–4 goal difference. It is hard to ask for a better start from IK.
But Leksand away is something else.
Tonight’s game at Tegera Arena feels like the first real measuring stick of the season. Not because one game in September decides anything, but because IK are facing a team where it will be considerably harder to play their way out of trouble through pace, energy and one strong period alone.
And the test comes with three separate injury absences that should not be conflated.
Manuel Ågren is a forward and was injured in the final preseason game against Kalmar. IK subsequently described it as a lower-body injury, while Barometern-OT later reported a recovery timeline of four to six weeks.
Pontus Näsén is a defenceman and was injured against Vimmerby in regular-season play. IK’s latest update is a lower-body injury with a timeline of around four weeks. The extended absence itself is not news to us – that was already known – but the club’s four-week prognosis provides a clearer picture.
Filip Sveningsson is a forward and was also injured against Vimmerby. His injury, however, is an upper-body issue. Today’s official timeline of around four weeks is significant new information.
That means IK are missing three different types of quality: Ågren’s experienced offensive edge up front, Sveningsson’s play at forward and Näsén’s established offensive drive from the blue line.
IK have addressed the immediate shortage up front by borrowing Joel Myrberg Andersson from Borlänge for tonight’s game. That is reasonable when the team needs bodies, but a short-term loan from Hockeyettan should not be expected to replace Manuel Ågren’s high-end quality.
That is where tonight’s game becomes interesting in relation to our broader question about the roster build.
We have repeatedly argued that IK would probably benefit from adding another experienced offensive player. Partly to provide cover while Manne is out, but above all to raise the team’s ceiling even after he returns. Two wins against Visby/Roma and Vimmerby have not provided a definitive answer. Leksand can tell us considerably more.
If IK can go to Tegera without Ågren, Näsén and Sveningsson and still create enough offence, it will be a strong statement about the team’s depth and the younger players’ ability to carry a greater load. If the team struggles to create when the opposition improves, that will also be valuable information. It would make the question of adding more high-end quality much harder to wave away.
Another thing to watch is the goaltending.
Emil Vuorio has made a good start and was in net last time out in Vimmerby. Axel Nyman is still waiting for his first regular-season start for IK. If it comes at Tegera Arena, it will be no gentle introduction. Leksand away would be a serious test for the young goaltender – and a very interesting one at that.
We will not guess who starts in goal, however. The lineup can answer that question.
Calle Karlsson has scored three goals in the opening two games and has been one of the clearest offensive bright spots. Against Leksand, we will also get a better idea of what that fine start means when the level is raised.
IK have six points. Leksand have six points. Both are unbeaten.
That makes the standings look nice. But for us, tonight’s most important question is a different one:
How much of IK’s offence remains when several of the players expected to provide the high-end quality are not there?