Last two summers there has been two hyped free agents in Brunnström and Gustavsson but this year media hasn't found a new hype boy yet. Gustavsson's stocks raised after record-breaking playoffs and in april someone might have monster post season games that will draw NHL teams' interest.
One name has been on rise lately, Jussi Rynnäs, 6'5 goalie from Finland. At time he was draft eligible he was known to be among better goalies in Finland in his age group but he never showed anything special that would have make him draftable material. Couple of years later he is at age of 22 playing his rookie season which is looking to be a monster one. Last couple of weeks since he took over starting duties on his team (Ässät) he has been the best goalie in the league. His 93,77% leads the league by margin of 1,1 %-unit and he has done that in average team. He's most propable free agent signing from Finland.
If KHL owners hadn't so much surplus money Petri Vehanen would still be leading all goalie statistic in SM-liiga. After posting monster numbers, 94,09%, 1,65 GAA and record 14-2-2, he was traded to Ak Bars Kazan for Mikael Tellqvist and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. He has clearly been the best goalie in Europe this season but due his age, 32, it's a question mark if he will draw interest among NHL teams or does he even want to leave. He's potential new Niklas Bäckström, older free agent who makes immediate impact. Or he could become new Fredrik Norrena who was a solid back-up for few seasons.
Two other goalies worth of mention are younger guys, Iiro Tarkki and Teemu Lassila. Both have been top5 goalies in SM-liiga for few years now and this season they have had good showing in national team. Tarkki is big technical guy and Lassila is relying on stand-up technique, last mohican to do so in Finland.
Outside goalies there's not much to talk about Finnish free agents. Maybe 23-year-old Jerry Ahtola who was mentioned in opening post is potential one. He's more of a grinder type in big body who skates well and capatalize's big number of his scoring chances if he happens to have confidence. Other name is Markus Seikola who is lethal power play weapon who leads league in points among d-man for second year in a row.
I don't follow SEL much but I have heard couple of names. Mats Zuccarello Aasen, Norwegian olympian who has made big impact in Sweden despite his young age and 5,7 frame. Exact same words for Linus Klasen besides nationality, he's Swedish. Former Calgary Hitman (and Oilers draft pick...) Fredrik Petterson has found his scoring touch and he is another potential and smallish guy. Nothing special in Sweden this year.
Roman Cervanka is 24-year-old who has ripped up the Czech league this season, 70 points in 46 games. KHL is "robbing" Czech league and has stolen best Czechs to Russia so it's very unlikely that he would end up to NHL with smaller salary and in lesser role.
KHL is strong and there's not much sense that their better players would move to NHL unless they overgrow it and want more challanges. Ilya Proskuryakov is young goalie who is on track to do so in near future. Other name from KHL is Norwegian Patrick Thoresen who might want back to NHL. When he left Philly he said that he would come back for next year. He didn't and instead joined KHL and he might stay there.
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