Amidst the ongoing SM-liiga season, teams are gearing up for a competitive overhaul with league reforms scheduled for 2027-2028 which will see a restructuring of the league into an upper A-league and a lower B-league, prompting clubs to raise substantial player budgets.
The ongoing SM-liiga season in Finland is witnessing significant preparations for the upcoming season, with teams focused on the substantial changes coming in the 2027-2028 season. The reform will split the league into a 14-team upper A-league and a 10-team lower B-league, resulting in at least three teams facing relegation at the end of the current season. This impending shake-up is leading to heightened competition for player acquisitions as clubs jostle to improve their squads to avoid relegation and secure their standing in the new structure.
Clubs like SaiPa and KooKoo are already actively engaged in fundraising efforts to support their ambitions for the next season. KooKoo has initiated a share issue aiming to raise up to 477,000 euros, while SaiPa is reportedly also raising substantial funds to bolster its player budget ahead of the league reforms. The return of Jokerit to the league has intensified the race for top players, with speculations about various talented players, including those from SaiPa, being targets for acquisition by the revived club.
As the competition for players heats up, many clubs are expected to increase their player budgets significantly, making it challenging for teams to retain their key talent. This fiscal arms race not only reflects the urgency brought about by the league reforms but also underscores the shifting dynamics within Finnish ice hockey as teams prepare for a new era of competition that promises to reshape the landscape of the sport in Finland.
