Persson heading to Timra?

Swedish news source Dagbladet is reporting that Timra may be interested in signing D Dennis Persson to a contract for 2008-09. Former DIF Asst. Coach Challe Berglund is entering year two as Timra's bench boss (with a second former DIF assistant as his wing man), and it's possible that his interest in the free agent blueliner may stem from their brief connection in Djurgarden. With Timra being a participant in Elitserien, this could be a positive sign for Persson after a tough 2007-08 season. Difficulty achieving ice time with Djurgarden landed the 6'1 defenseman in Sweden's second division, HockeyAllsvenskan. After the season, DIF decided that Persson no longer fit into their plans. Perhaps a fresh SEL start on a less-cluttered blue line in Timra is the ingredient to releasing the skills that made him the 24th pick at the 2006 draft. How does this impact his status with the Sabres? For now, it doesn't. Persson can be signed by the Sabres and still play under contract in the SEL. Remember, Henrik Tallinder ('97) played three seasons in Sweden and another in Finland before coming across the pond. All this really tells us is that Persson is likely to remain overseas for at least another season before pursuing a North American hockey career.