IS: Topi Nättinen was astonished by the league club's terrifying acquisition – how on earth was this achieved?

TPS’s LLL line has started the SM league season effectively. Lars Bryggman, Lukas Haudum, and Lukas Wernblom scored seven of the team’s nine goals in the opening week, but Ilta-Sanomat hockey expert Topi Nättinen highlights something more important than points.

Nättinen has been particularly impressed by the trio’s ability to play without the puck. TPS collected a full six points from the first two games of the season, defeating KooKoo in the opening match and HIFK on Saturday with a score of 5–1.

Wernblom recorded stats of 1+6 in the matches, Bryggman 4+2, and Haudum 1+3.

– A really smooth skater who confidently holds onto the puck but is also ready to go eagerly into situations, Nättinen describes Haudum.

The 29-year-old Haudum, who moved from the Austrian league to TPS, has been one of the most interesting pieces of the new line. The center, wearing number 97, was named the most valuable player of the Central European multinational league playoffs last spring.

– He can create space with his movement and carry the puck into the zone on the power play, Nättinen says.

The transfer of a player like Bryggman to TPS or to the league in general totally surprised Nättinen. The 33-year-old forward won the Swedish championship last season with Skellefteå but then returned to Finland.

– Of course, a lot of money has been put on the table. In Sweden, there would probably have been roles in the 2nd-3rd line, but in Finland, Bryggman gets to be a first-line player and a leading figure.

– He is a top-notch leader with a leader’s aura.

In addition to the LLL line, TPS’s strong start to the season is evident on the power play. The team scored five power play goals in the opening week, and the power play percentage was as high as 62.5. Nättinen also gives credit to the new assistant coach Kimmo Rintanen.

Although TPS has started the season strongly compared to expectations, Nättinen reminds that it is not wise to draw far-reaching conclusions based on just two games.

– One line also cannot carry 64 games. But even one super line like this can be enough to keep the team in the league. If you want to go higher, more is needed, Nättinen says.