Arsi Piispanen does not seem to have read our scouting list.
Barometern-OT reports that IK Oskarshamn have added Martin Pärna, most recently with Vimmerby, to their roster. For now, we are treating it as a strong report – not something officially confirmed by IK.
And let us be clear about one thing: this is not about having anything against Martin Pärna as a person or a hockey player.
But if the report is accurate, it is difficult to see him as the answer to the question we asked yesterday.
We were not merely asking for more bodies. IK have offensive quality, but they need more depth at the top end and more experience so that everything does not fall on youngsters and homegrown players when injuries hit. Ideally, we want to see one or two players who can help now and still make the team better when Manuel Ågren and Filip Sveningsson return.
Pärna looks more like a short-term solution to fill out the forward group.
That may be entirely reasonable for what it is. But combined with the two-game loan of Theodor Hallquisth on defence, it hardly feels as though IK are radiating confidence and swagger in the market right now.
It is still early. IK have made an acceptable start given the circumstances, and Pärna may well be useful if he comes in. But we still hope Arsi has a few more numbers in his phone book.
Because the need to add more quality at the top end does not disappear just because you fill an empty spot in the lineup.