David Rosander joined IK late last season from HC Dalen in HockeyEttan. He was not brought in as the signing that would transform the team. In practical terms, IK needed another body on the blue line for the end of the regular season and the playoffs.
That may sound like a low bar, but Rosander did exactly what was asked of him: he came in and did not look out of place.
It was enough for IK to want more. After the loan spell he was given a permanent contract for this season. Sporting director Arsi Piispanen highlighted the mature way Rosander entered the team and his ability to handle several different situations.
There is also a little more hockey in him than the role of pure depth suggests. Rosander has decent technique and skating that show up from time to time, and his years with HC Dalen show that he can contribute offensively. IK themselves noted 41 points in 59 games for Dalen when his new contract was announced.
We do not expect him to be the defenceman everyone talks about after every game. He does not need to be.
The task this season is simpler: eat minutes, be reliable and show that he belongs in HockeyAllsvenskan. So far he looks capable of handling the level. If he can bring out his puck skill a little more often, there are probably a few points in him as well.
His route here has gone through Vänersborg, Leksand's junior system and nine SHL games with Leksand, then HockeyEttan with Kalmar, Borås and HC Dalen. Now he is back at the higher level.
This is not a season in which David Rosander has to become a star. It is a season in which he has to stop being described as a HockeyEttan defenceman getting a chance in HockeyAllsvenskan.
He has to become a HockeyAllsvenskan defenceman. That is where the expectations should be.