Story Summary
Lucas Forsell has described the benefits and demands of his expanded role at Timrå after ending a seven-season spell with Färjestad in the summer.
The 23-year-old forward had been the subject of transfer speculation during the previous season, despite having a Färjestad contract covering the current campaign. No move materialised at that point, but his deal was terminated in the summer and he headed north to Timrå.
Forsell is now playing substantially more than he did last season. He averaged around nine minutes a game at Färjestad, compared with roughly 18 minutes across Timrå’s first three SHL matches. He then played around 15 minutes in a 1-0 defeat.
He has one assist in four games and believes the greater opportunity gives him more chances to contribute, while also requiring a different approach to shift length, skating efforts and defensive positioning.
Key Facts
- Lucas Forsell’s contract with Färjestad was terminated in the summer after seven seasons at the club.
- Forsell joined Timrå after being linked with a move during the previous season.
- The 23-year-old averaged around nine minutes per game for Färjestad last season.
- Forsell played roughly 18 minutes per game across Timrå’s first three SHL matches and around 15 minutes in a subsequent 1-0 defeat.
- He has recorded one assist in Timrå’s opening four games.
- Timrå have scored six goals in four matches, despite registering the third-most shots on goal in the league.
- The club’s shooting percentage stands at 4.72 per cent, the lowest in the SHL.
- Timrå were bottom of the table at the time of the comments.
- Forsell said Timrå need to improve their power play after conceding the decisive goal against Brynäs while on a man advantage.
IHM Discussion
Forsell’s move is not simply a change of shirt; it is a change in responsibility. At Färjestad, limited minutes encouraged him to make the most of brief appearances. At Timrå, his ice time has effectively doubled, demanding a more measured game.
The forward was clear about the adjustment. He cannot chase every race at maximum intensity, and must instead judge when to press, when to take shorter shifts and how to remain on the right side of the puck. Those are important details for a player moving from a narrower role into regular, meaningful minutes.
His early return of one assist does not yet match the opportunity, but Forsell has identified a practical individual focus: getting to more shooting chances. He also acknowledged that defensive structures around the league make those openings difficult to find.
Why It Matters
Timrå’s early issue is finishing rather than shot volume. The team’s league-low 4.72 per cent shooting percentage has left it with only six goals through four games, even though it has generated the third-highest shot total in the SHL.
That places added value on forwards who can turn possession and pressure into direct attempts. Forsell’s larger role includes power-play responsibility, so his adjustment carries relevance beyond his personal point total. Timrå need better execution on the man advantage as well as improved five-on-five finishing.
Mini Q&A
Why did Lucas Forsell leave Färjestad?
Forsell’s contract was terminated in the summer after he had spent seven seasons with Färjestad. He then joined Timrå.
How much has Forsell’s ice time changed at Timrå?
He averaged around nine minutes per game for Färjestad last season, then played roughly 18 minutes per game over Timrå’s first three matches and around 15 minutes in the next game.
What has been Timrå’s main early-season problem?
Timrå have created a high volume of shots but have scored only six goals in four games. Their 4.72 per cent shooting percentage was the SHL’s lowest at the time.
Coach Mark Comment
A doubled workload changes the decision-making test for a forward. Forsell’s comments on choosing his skating races and keeping shifts short show a sensible understanding that energy management supports both defensive reliability and attacking quality. The next technical step is to arrive in shooting areas often enough without sacrificing the positioning required in a larger role.
IHM Final View
Forsell has started his Timrå spell with a clearer role and considerably more ice time than he received last season. The immediate challenge is to convert that increased trust into more shots, more production and cleaner power-play work, while managing the physical demands of regular minutes.