Frölunda Stays Perfect, But Färjestad's Defense Defines the Early SHL Race

Six games into the 2026-27 Swedish Hockey League season, the race for the top of the table has already narrowed to a two-horse sprint. Frölunda HC remains the last unbeaten team in the league, claiming 17 points out of a possible 18 to sit alone in first place as the definitive team to beat.[1][4]

The Gothenburg-based club pushed their unblemished record to 6-0-0 with a 4-2 victory over Djurgårdens IF on Saturday afternoon. That win followed a gritty 2-1 triumph over Brynäs IF earlier in the week, proving Frölunda can comfortably navigate both high-scoring shootouts and tight, physical defensive battles.[2][4]

Relentless offensive production has driven Frölunda's perfect October start. The team has netted 23 goals so far, bolstered by a breakout stretch from star forward Graeme Clarke, who immediately found his rhythm and scored four times in his first four appearances of the season.[1][2]

Clarke's impact was undeniable during a recent road trip to Luleå, where he scored twice in a dominant 7-3 victory. Days later, he provided the crucial equalizing goal against the Malmö Redhawks, setting up a dramatic 2-1 comeback win in the final two minutes of regulation.[2]

Färjestad's Suffocating Defense

While Frölunda owns the outright standings lead, second-place Färjestad BK is arguably playing the most dominant two-way hockey in Sweden. Sitting just one point back with 16 points, the Karlstad club has allowed an astonishing five goals through their first six games.[1][4]

Färjestad has matched Frölunda's 23 total goals but boasts a league-best +18 goal differential thanks to their impenetrable blue line. Their defensive structure was on full display in a 3-1 victory over HV71 on Saturday, smothering the opposition's attack and completely controlling the neutral zone.[1][5]

The gap between the top two teams and the rest of the league is already widening significantly. Skellefteå AIK sits in fourth place with 12 points, while the middle of the pack—including Brynäs IF, Växjö Lakers, and Luleå Hockey—is logjammed in a three-way tie at nine points.[1][4]

The Return of Björklöven

The biggest surprise of the early season undeniably belongs to IF Björklöven. Back in the top division for the first time in 25 years, the newly promoted club from Umeå has stunned the Swedish hockey establishment to claim third place with 14 points.[3][5]

Björklöven opened their historic campaign undefeated before colliding with Färjestad on September 26. In front of a sold-out home crowd of 5,400, the newcomers surrendered three goals in the first seven minutes, prompting coach Magnus Bogren to pull goaltender Lassi Lehtinen in an eventual 5-0 loss.[3][4]

Rather than collapsing after that harsh reality check, Björklöven rebounded immediately. They secured a hard-fought 3-2 road victory over Linköping HC this weekend, proving to skeptics that they have the resilience and depth required to survive a grueling 52-game SHL schedule.[1][4]

The league's other promoted club, Djurgårdens IF, sits in 13th place with three points, but they remain a focal point for NHL scouts. The historic Stockholm franchise is heavily relying on its young core, including top 2026 draft prospects, to eventually turn their difficult season around.[3][4]

At the very bottom of the table, Timrå IK is desperately searching for answers to save their season. The club sits in last place with just two points and a dismal 1-5 record, having managed only eight goals all season while surrendering 19 to their opponents.[1][4]

The early standings will face a major stress test next week as the schedule intensifies. Färjestad is scheduled to host fourth-place Skellefteå AIK on Thursday, a heavyweight matchup that could either cement their defensive dominance or expose their first real vulnerability of the autumn in front of a national audience.[1][5]