The SM League board has made a significant decision regarding the league's future, allowing the current champion of Mestis or the finalist opponent of Jokerit to apply for a place in the upcoming season. Among the Mestis teams, Joensuun Kiekko-Pojat has openly expressed its desire to join the league, as well as Rovaniemen Kiekko (RoKi), which hinted at possible interest in the opportunity. However, both teams have now been eliminated from the playoffs at the quarter-final stage, disqualifying them from application for the next season.

As the playoff scenarios unfold, the focus now shifts to the remaining teams: Jokerit, Kiekko-Vantaa, Ketterä, and IPK. Jokerit is already confirmed to play in the league next season, which raises questions about whether any of the other teams will pursue a league license if they win the Mestis championship. Iltalehti reached out to representatives of each remaining team to gauge their intentions regarding league placement, posing the question of whether they would apply for a league license should they win the Mestis.

The consultations with team representatives highlighted that serious discussions would need to occur with owners and stakeholders, indicating the complexities and commitments involved in moving up to the SM League. The article leaves readers pondering the fate of Kiekko-Vantaa, Ketterä, and IPK and whether they will decide to vie for a place in the SM League based on their playoff performance, which could significantly impact the landscape of Finnish ice hockey going forward.