Antti Pennanen and the Finnish Ice Hockey Association are according to Esko Seppänen very close to a multi-year extension. According to Seppänen, the main lines of the agreement are already clear, and only the details remain to be finalized.

The Ice Hockey Association’s desire to continue Pennanen’s contract has been reported earlier in September. The association’s CEO Sami Kauhanen confirmed to Ilta-Sanomat that discussions about a possible extension began in the summer.

In Urheilucast, Seppänen also highlights the situation of the Lions’ GM Jere Lehtinen.

According to Seppänen, the Dallas Stars have been courting Lehtinen for practically any role. The NHL team has been very active regarding Lehtinen, according to him.

Lehtinen’s and Pennanen’s current contracts with the Finnish national team will end after next spring’s World Championships. However, according to Seppänen, Pennanen wants Lehtinen to continue with the Lions’ project, which also has implications for the head coach’s extension.

Lehtinen has previously stated that he will not be moving to North America until his children are older.

According to Urheilucast, Pennanen has been offered a contract that would make him the highest-paid head coach in Lions’ history.

The aim would be, according to Seppänen, to announce the extension in connection with Finland’s EHT tournament.

The Ice Hockey Association is also in a hurry regarding this matter. Pennanen’s name may attract interest from Liiga clubs looking for a new head coach after a difficult start to the season.

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