Frölunda Indians reportedly negotiating with Karlsson, Lundqvist, and Eriksson
Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson is reportedly in contract discussions with the SEL's Frölunda Indians for a lockout contract, as are Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Stars forward Loui Eriksson.
The Swedish Elite League's Frölunda Indians is reportedly in contract negotiations with NHL All-Star and Norris Trophy-winning Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson, as well as New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Dallas Stars forward Loui Eriksson, to lure them home to the club that turned them into some of the NHL's top Swedish-born stars.
According to a report from Swedish publication SVT, Frölunda is in talks with the three players who could be set on joining the their top-level club in the Swedish Elite League during the ongoing NHL lockout. Team director Anderz Larqvist stressed, however, that no contracts are signed yet, but the signings would make sense: Lundqvist, Karlsson and Eriksson all have ties with Frölunda.
Lundqvist, last season's Vezina Trophy winner, played with the club from 1999 through his move to the Rangers in 2005. During his most recent SEL season in 2004-05, Lundqvist compiled a .936 save percentage and a 1.79 goals-against average in 44 regular season games.
Eriksson played with the club beginning in 2000. He played two SEL seasons -- 2003-04 and 2004-05 -- scoring 13 goals and 14 assists in 85 total regular season game. Karlsson joined Frölunda in 2007. He played 45 SEL games in 2008-09 before making the jump to the Senators the following year.
There have been no reports regarding the possibility of Daniel Alfredsson joining the Indians, but he's recently gone on record saying that he wouldn't go sign on elsewhere until Christmas at the earliest. Alfredsson won the SEL championship for Frölunda with Lundqvist, Samuel Pahlsson, and P.J. Axelsson during the 2004-05 lockout, and played with the team before starting his NHL career.
With files from Peter Raaymakers