With more qualifiers for the 2018/19 Champions Hockey League over the past week, we take a look at how things are shaping up around Europe.
Eisbären Berlin earned their place back in Europe's elite ice hockey competition by finishing as runners-up of the DEL on Sunday with a convincing win over Bremerhaven. They join Red Bull Munich in the competition, with a further place to be awarded in the playoffs.
Similarly Red Bull Salzburg left it until the last regular season day in the EBEL, as the 'Pick Round; concluded on Sunday evening. The Red Bulls finished on level points with Vienna, as the Capitals won the pick round. However with the side from the Austrian capital already qualified, the place was awarded to Salzburg. The final EBEL place will be decided in the playoffs.
TPS Turku could re-qualify tonight in the Liiga - a win in regulation, or Tappara not registering a point, the simplest ways of that happening. Meanwhile in Sweden, we could see the return to the CHL tonight of Djurgården Stockholm - they need a win, or other results in their favour to be sure.
Switzerland's National League concluded over the weekend with EV Zug finishing as runners up and thus making next season's CHL. Two additional places will be awarded via the playoffs.
Finally, in the Challenger Leagues, playoffs have started in several countries; meaning we get closer to crowning National Champions and knowing who'll take part in the CHL. For now we, know we'll see a different French team next season, after Gap were eliminated in four games in the Quarter-Finals. Grenoble and Rouen have both competed in the CHL before, and are still in the Semi-Finals.