Robin Kovacs has emerged as one of the SHL's top scorers this season, recording 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 50 games, finishing sixth in the scoring race and fourth in goal-scoring, according to major media reports. Kovacs says he has never had as many offers as now, according to major media reports. However, his future remains unclear as he weighs options from Switzerland, Germany, and Swedish clubs, including Linköping HC, where he has two years left on his contract.
Expressen has reported that Kovacs has agreed to a four-year contract with AIK, funded by external financiers. However, Kovacs denies that AIK has been interested in him, telling Hockeysverige, according to the outlet, that they haven't been interested. Kovacs last played for AIK in the 2015/16 season. The conflicting reports leave the status of any potential deal uncertain.
I have two years left here, but I'm not going to hide the fact that I've received a lot of offers. I've probably never had so many offers before. We need to evaluate the season, then I'll sit down with my family and everyone around to decide what's best. I told my agent to keep it to himself so I could focus; it's only in the last few days that I've found out what's available.
Kovacs has taken steps suggesting a departure from Linköping. According to major media reports from six sources, he has sold his house in Linköping. Sources told Corren that he has emptied his locker in the dressing room. According to well-informed sources, Linköping no longer counts on Kovacs. Kovacs expressed disappointment with the club, telling Hockeysverige that he feels the club has been negative towards him, despite his contributions on and off the ice. He said he had a good year and helped the team immensely, but the club's negativity saddened him.
Kovacs has several options for next season. According to Östgöta Correspondenten, he said that besides Linköping, he has three other teams that are current options. He also has offers from Switzerland and Germany, according to major media reports. Kovacs previously played two seasons for Lausanne in the Swiss National League. He told Sportbladet that his wife will decide his future, emphasizing the family situation with three children. He said nothing is 100% decided yet and that he needs to evaluate the season with his family.
It's my wife who decides.
Meanwhile, teammate Jakub Vrana also had a challenging season. Vrana scored 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 46 games, according to major media reports. According to Sportbladet, Vrana described being benched multiple times and expressed frustration with not living up to his own expectations. He said the season was tough and that he paid for his mistakes, but he wants to move on and be mentally strong. It remains unclear whether Vrana will stay with Linköping next season.
Exactly.
No idea what she thinks and feels. We'll see. You can call her and ask.
It's not just me, it's the whole family and a whole family situation I need to consider. So we'll see what happens. The interest is still proof that I've done something good this year. It's been a tough year for the team, but I really enjoy Linköping and that weighs heavily.
They haven't been interested.
I feel that I had a good year and that I helped this team incredibly much last season. Not just on the ice but everything around that people don't know about. To then be negative, I think that's really sad. I feel disappointed about that.
It often becomes; he only thinks about himself and his points. For the club and the team to win games and play well, I had to sacrifice quite a lot during the season. Then the points still came. There's a lot that people and fans don't know. One day I will go out and tell exactly everything. Then fans and everyone will understand.
Nothing is 100% yet. We have tried to have a dialogue with Broc (Little, the sports director) about possibly staying and trying to extend my contract here. But they haven't been interested.
I think everyone knows what AIK means to me, it's always an option.
There have been different clubs from different leagues. Besides Linköping, I have three other teams that are current. But nothing has been decided yet.