What's next for Malmo?

[scoop 3,382]

The Malmo Nighthawks have been one of the best regular season teams over the past four seasons, and unfortunately they can already be looking toward next season, as their playoffs came to a quick end once again. In Season 95, they will be without two mainstays of the current era, as goaltender Ash Sparks and defender Reese McFleury have both retired. For the most part, the rest of the roster is set to return.

 

Ignoring any potential trades, there are three players who may not return. Center Randy Bobandy, who just set a career high in points, has a Player Option, so he could choose to become a free agent before what will be his final season. The two players who are already pending free agents are left wing Gregger McKeggegger and goaltender Karl Herzlich, who has been Sparks' backup for the past two seasons.

 

That is what they could lose from their roster, but many key pieces still remain. They don't, however, have much on the pipeline to replace the losses. The only prospect they have coming up is goaltender Jorgen Lovstrom, who would likely split time with Herzlich if he sticks around. There are no forwards on tap to replace McKeggegger or Bobandy if he leaves, and no defenders coming in for the loss of McFleury. The Malmo roster is one that has been built on balance, so if they end up relying on bottom-of-the-barrel inactive free agents to fill out the roster, they might struggle.

 

The team has traded a lot of draft picks to stay competitive, and they are not in a great position to continue doing so. They have no first or second round picks in the Season 95 or Season 96 drafts. If Bobandy hits the market and the Nighthawks are not able to make a splash in free agency, they may have a tough time staying relevant in the European Conference.

 

Another season defying the expectations, but maybe next time we can do something in the playoffs.