Silfverberg SEL champion, MVP: game 6 status update

Senators prospect Jakob Silfverberg just won the SEL title, and scored the game-winning goal in the process. Once again he did it with a shot labeled for the top corner, and once again he was one of the most dangerous players on the ice for his Brynäs, beating the Anders Forsberg-coached Skellefteå, four games to two.

Not only did that one goal help capture the Championship, it also established a new Swedish Elite League record for goals in the playoffs with 13. Daniel Alfredsson’s old record of 12 goals had stood since 2005.

While all that is nice, that’s not the most burning topic related to Silfverberg on the minds of Sens fans right now. As the club is tied 2-2 with the New York Rangers in the conference quarters, having struggled to create and finish off scoring chances at times, the question is what Silfverberg’s status is, and whether or not he can and will come over to play for the Sens.

Silfverberg signed a contract last summer, so he is very much eligible to play. The Senators just have to recall him, and while the NHL-IIHF agreement gives Silfverberg the choice to play for Team Sweden at the World Championship instead, he’s expected to be on a plane ASAP.

With this being the first year of his entry-level deal, the question has been raised whether or not this would burn a year off his deal, especially with all the talk about Zibanejad’s possible 10^th NHL game of the year burning one off his contract. With Silfverberg, that is not an issue, as he’s old enough for the year to be burnt off no matter if he comes over to play, comes over to watch or just stays in Sweden.

Also, I’ve pointed this out before, but if there’s any confusion around it, I’ll say it again. While Silfverberg is listed as a center on some sites, he’s a winger and that’s where he’s been playing for years and that’s where he will make his pro career.

Thursday night will be one of celebration in Gävle, the hometown of the regular season and playoff MVP. As he enjoys winning the title with his hometown team, the Senators staff will try to make sure to get him on a plane, and make that plane fly faster.