With the culmination of the 2023/24 Champions Hockey League season now under 20 days away, it’s time to remind ourselves just how well our Finalists, Genève-Servette and Skellefteå AIK, have played up to this point and compare their LGT Top Scorers and a few players that could make a big difference on the ice come the big game - scroll down to find out who we picked!

Starting with the LGT Top Scorers - we've got two players who have been lethal all season long and were both honoured by being short-listed for the prestigious 2023/24 LGT MVP Award some weeks ago (don't forget - the winner will be announced at the CHL Final!).

Sami Vatanen

Genève's Sami Vatanen has been dominating the Swiss team's set-up play ever since the reigning National League champions embarked on their big European journey in late August.

The 32-year-old Finn has picked up a stellar nine assists throughout 12 games which combined with his three goals (one being a massive series-equaliser against Lukko Rauma in their Semi-Finals Return Game) makes for 12 points.

That puts the ex-NHLer into a three-way tie with teammate Tanner Richard and Vítkovice Ridera's Dominik Lakatoš for top spot on the CHL's Top Scorer Leaderboard, and with another game lined up for him this season, he could very well steal the crown.

Add that to the fact that he's been averaging over 23 minutes of ice time per game, has recorded a team-high of 20+ blocked shots and has some big hits to his name this season, it's clear Vatanen has been perfect on the blue line while setting up his teammates in front of the net for some important goals.

What can Skellefteå throw his way?

Linus Lindström

A 26-year-old born goalscorer who's been running riot in the pan-European competition this season with six goals and five assists in 12 games played.

Linus Lindström is a skilled young forward with Skellefteå's yellow and black blood running through his veins, having been born in the Swedish city and playing for the club since lower youth levels.

Game-winning goals, powerplay goals, short-handed goals - this guy has done it all this season and is rated as one of the best forwards of the competition.

Combined with 30+ shots on goal and an unusually high +/- of +10, Lindström is a player who has had a huge impact on his team's results this season.

Who else?

Have a scroll through the gallery to see a few star players who we think will play a BIG role in the CHL Final!

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Skellefteå AIK

Sandin-Pellikka has been in the spotlight ever since he was drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings and he's stood up to the task! 3G+2A this season mean he's one of the more productive players of the team - all while playing from the blue line!

Tanner Richard, Genève-Servette

With two goals and 10 assists this season, 30-year-old Richard has been a huge part of Genève's formidable forward lines and could play a huge role in the Final against Skellefteå!

Rickard Hugg, Skellefteå AIK

25-year-old Swedish international Hugg already showed us all what he could do when he set the CHL alight by scoring 12 points in just nine games last season and he's followed that up with an eight-point showing in 2023/24 so far - watch this crafty forward donning the #96 jersey with a big "A" on his chest!

Sakari Manninen, Genève-Servette

Manninen is one of Genève's leading goal scorers in the NL and though he hasn't really been showing that in the CHL this season, we think he could deliver the goods come the Final!

Oskar Nilsson, Skellefteå AIK

2G + 6A is the record this offensively-minded D-man has heading into the Final and with two huge goals against Färjestad in the QFs Return Game, watch for Nilsson late into the game.

Teemu Hartikainen, Genève-Servette

It's another of Genève's many great Finns - but this one might be one of the biggest names on the team! It's not the goals, assists or stats we're after this time, it's Hartikainen's experience in the biggest of games. We're talking Olympic Games and World Championship Finals...

Think we may have missed goaltenders? Don't worry, we've given these special players a head-to-head of their own - read here.