Another Finnish titan for Switzerland? Teemu Hartikainen plays poker
Servette is said to be in pole position at Teemu Hartikainen.Image: imago-images.de
Ice Master Zaugg
The rumors just won’t go away, the “rumble giant” Teemu Hartikainen (32) has moved to Switzerland. Namely to Geneva. But sports director Marc Gautschi denies.
He’s an Olympic and world champion this season, and he’s been a star in the KHL for the past nine years: Teemu Hartikainen (32) can rock the National League too. The burly forward (186, 106kg) dominates in the middle and on the flanks, scoring the majority of his numerous goals from where it hurts and one has to assert himself in the infight. He also dominates the territory along the boards and is quickly inseparable from the puck there.
He successfully compensates for his running deficits with strength, water displacement, quick hands and cunning: In 6 games he contributed 7 points to the Olympic victory and he was also no slouch when winning the World Championship title: 6 points in 10 games. And he can also defend: he had the best plus-minus balance with Olympic champion Finland.
Teemu Hartikainen with the World Cup trophy in his hands.Image: imago-images.de
His contract has expired. Since he is not thanked back to the KHL and is no longer an issue for the NHL, a transfer to Switzerland makes sense: he can earn the most with us. Where will he storm next season?
The informants in Finland suspect (but they don’t know for sure) in Geneva. Sports director Marc Gautschi had good experiences there last season with “grey beards” in the foreign positions – Sami Vatanen (32), Valtteri Filppula (38) and Daniel Winnik (37) – and now Linus Omark (35) has also been brought back. «With six foreigners, each individual no longer has to endure as much ice age. Age will be even less of a problem there,” says Marc Gautschi.
So Teemu Hartikainen would fit well into his “collection” as the sixth foreigner. In fact, Servette’s sports director confirms the contacts: “But his agent has repeatedly told us that he wants to wait with a decision.” You can also calmly wait to see which options arise. Or to put it another way: Teemu Hartikainen plays poker and, according to the sports director in Geneva, has not or not yet signed.
Hartikainen also made his contribution to the Olympic victory.Image: Keystone
After all, several clubs with well-stocked money stores (ZSC Lions, SC Bern, Servette) and somewhat smaller wallets (Ambri) are still looking for foreign strikers. Patience can pay off.