Transaction Notes: Koblar, Liukas, Sekac
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Tinus Luc Koblar will exit his club Leksands IF as a result of their relegation to Sweden’s second tier, the HockeyAllsvenskan. Koblar is a 2025 second-round pick of the club and was Toronto’s highest selection of its 2025 draft class. He was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in Toronto’s system by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, who called Koblar a “big, strong, sturdy center who can skate.”
Koblar is coming off of a solid first season since being drafted. Although the lack of success found by his club was undoubtedly disappointing, he had a strong year individually. He made his professional debut for Leksands and managed to stick with the club’s senior team for most of the season, scoring eight goals and 14 points in 47 games. As an 18-year-old who found a way to hold down a full-season role in one of Europe’s best leagues, Koblar could very well have an NHL future ahead of him, though scouts such as Wheeler project that future to be somewhere on an NHL team’s fourth line.
Other transactions from the European leagues:
- New York Islanders prospect Eetu Liukas has elected to return to Europe after a three-year run playing professional hockey in North America. Liukas, 23, was a fifth-round pick of the Islanders, No. 157 overall. Liukas spent two years playing in the Finnish Liiga on a full-time basis after being drafted, before heading to North America in 2023. He spent three years with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, but didn’t make huge progress. This past season, he scored 10 points in 24 games, and now he will continue his career back in Finland. He signed a contract with Liiga side HIFK Helsinki, on a deal stretching until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
- Former NHLer Jiri Sekac, who once upon a time represented the Montreal Canadiens at an All-Star game (in a spot designated for rookies) has signed a contract to return to his native Czechia. His deal is with HC Sparta Praha, who play out of the Czech capital. Sekac has had an extensive professional career in Europe but hasn’t played in the Extraliga since a 21-game loan to Sparta Praha in 2012-13. A two-time KHL Gagarin Cup champion, Sekac has spent the last half-decade of his career in Switzerland, including the last two years with HC Lugano.
New York Islanders Sign Eetu Liukas
The New York Islanders have signed forward Eetu Liukas to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today. PuckPedia reports his contract carries a cap hit of $867,500 with the following breakdown in all three seasons: $775,000 base salary, $92,500 signing bonus, $57,500 games played bonus, and a minors salary of $80,000.
One of the few power forward prospects in the league, Liukas never shies away from physical play and, at age 20, already stands at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. The Islanders selected him in the fifth round, 157th overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Last season was Liukas’ second full pro season, spent with Liiga club HPK after many years with the TPS organization. He recorded the first double-digit goal total of his pro career, scoring 14 goals and 23 points in 58 games while also leading the league in penalty minutes with 104.
Internationally, Liukas suited up for Finland at the 2022 Men’s World Juniors, logging two assists in six appearances.
In 2021, Elite Prospects described Liukas as playing a “physical north-south game, and [he] takes to his role with a great deal of enthusiasm. He’s never seen an opportunity to play the body that was too good to pass up. He’s got a pretty heavy shot, too; his one-timer, in particular, does serious damage.”
Liukas was under contract with HPK for next season. It’s unclear whether the Islanders will bring him over to play with their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport in 2023-24 or loan him back to Finland.