Swedish Elite League opens doors to locked out NHLers

NHL Lockout 2012: Frölunda Reportedly Negotiating With Henrik Lundqvist, Erik Karlsson, Loui Eriksson

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson and Stars forward Loui Eriksson could all be heading home to the club that turned them into some of the NHL's top Swedish-born stars.

According to a report from Swedish publication SVT, Frölunda is in talks with the three players who could be set on joining the their top-level club in the Swedish Elite League during the ongoing NHL lockout. Deals have yet to be signed, but the signings would make sense: Lundqvist, Karlsson and Eriksson all have ties with Frölunda.

Lundqvist, last season's Vezina Trophy winner, played with the club from 1999 through his move to the Rangers in 2005. During his most recent SEL season in 2004-05, Lundqvist compiled a .936 save percentage and a 1.79 goals-against average in 44 regular season games.

Eriksson played with the club beginning in 2000. He played two SEL seasons -- 2003-04 and 2004-05 -- scoring 13 goals and 14 assists in 85 total regular season game. Karlsson joined Frölunda in 2007. He played 45 SEL games in 2008-09 before making the jump to the Senators the following year.

For more on Swedish Elite League signings during the NHL lockout, stick with our StoryStream. SBNation.com also has complete coverage of the 2012 NHL lockout.

NHL Lockout 2012: Alex Steen, Tobias Enstrom Reportedly Set To Join Modo

St. Louis Blues forward Alexander Steen will be one of the first players to join a Swedish Elite League club during the NHL lockout, according to a report from Swedish publication Expressen.

According to the report, Steen has agreed to terms with Modo and will be ready to join the club for their game against Rögle on Saturday. The club has not officially announced the deal. Steen played with Modo in his final European season prior to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005. He played 50 games with Modo in 2004-05, scoring nine goals and eight assists. He played two prior SEL seasons with Frolunda.

Expressen also reports that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tobias Enstrom is set to sign a deal with Modo as well. The deal still hinges on insurance issues, according to the report. Enstrom was raised in the Modo system, playing junior hockey with the club and parts of five SEL seasons. Most recently, he scored seven goals and 21 assists in 55 games with Modo during the 2006-07 season. He jumped to join the Atlanta Thrashers organization the following season.

For more on Swedish Elite League signings during the NHL lockout, stick with our StoryStream. SBNation.com also has complete coverage of the 2012 NHL lockout.

NHL Lockout 2012: Displaced Players Can Now Join Swedish Elite League Teams

An anti-trust ruling in Sweden will allow NHL stars to sign with Swedish Elite League clubs.