According to IIHF communications director Szymon Szemberg, the Swedish Elite League isn’t about to turn itself into a temporary refuge for locked-out NHL players.
Swedish league decided today it will not accept any short-term contracts of locked-out NHLers. Players can only sign for minumum 1 season.
— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) August 23, 2012
This means that SWE league will not sign any locked-out NHLers under contract as no one can commit for a full season in Europe.
— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) August 23, 2012
It’s not clear if the SEL’s stance would change should the NHL season be canceled. Hopefully, we won’t have to find out.