BoldNewLettuce
Esquire
It would be interesting to see him join the oil kings somehow and then he could bro out with the Finns
2016-2017 HIFK
2017-2018 AHL
2018-2019 AHL / NHL callup
I think this would be the best for his development. 2 seasons in the larger rink would make adjustment for NA ice tougher again. (IMO this is more important for defenders.) So if he plays another year in HIFK then I don't expect him to be called up before 2019-2020 season.
Anyway, good pick to take in the 3rd round. Big Dman who makes calm plays and is able to make a good first pass, what's there not to like? Defencemen don't usually hit NHL ice until they're at least 20 or 21 anyway, so him being a project doesn't actually delay things more than a year or two. Drafting a bunch of forwards with bottom six ceiling in the later rounds isn't that good of an idea anyway.
Hell be returning to OHL next year which I think is best move. Get #1 minutes, all situations and be able to develop offensive abilities. IMO FEL is roughly on par with AHL (not interested in a debate about league strength), so really FEL wasnt the best option. Would probably be buried as a #6 D in limited situations
For me:
16/17- OHL- Hopefully lights it up
17/18-Depends here. OHL if not a greta seaosn before. FEL if AHL is too full of D prospects. AHL if we feel he could contend for NHL soon
18/19- AHL or NHL if ready
No, he's playing for HIFK in the Finnish league.
Niemeläinen hasn't been HIFK's lineup in preseason games and past Friday's Champions Hockey League game against Swiss NLA team Zug.
Also his name is removed HIFK's FEL lineup which is available in HIFK's official websites www.hifk.fi.
These details gives signal Niemeläinen is returning to Saginaw.
http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/mark-letestu-is-a-big-fan-of-the-oilers-getting-adam-larssonOilers’ first pick in round three, 6-foot-6 puck-moving Finnish defenceman Markus Niemelainen, who was a consensus second-r0under by most scouting services but lasted until No. 63, decided to stay in junior in Saginaw in the OHL rather than return home to play…
Ya Matheson confirmed it a couple days ago too.
http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/mark-letestu-is-a-big-fan-of-the-oilers-getting-adam-larsson
What's next does Sainaw or Oilers bought Niemeläinen out of his pro-contract with HIFK?
No inside info, but I assume he goes home next season when his two years in the CHL are up.
Youd think? I doubt if NHL was in reasonable grasp hed go home and be that much further away/ down depth chart
IMO Russians hed home when there is a bigger challenge to make NHL. Fins and Swedes tyopically stay in NA till there is almost no shot for them in NHL
It'll be interesting to see where he goes for his 19 year old season. Since he was loaned to Saginaw for his draft year I believe the Oilers could assign him to the AHL as a 19 year old. But they'll also have Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear turning pro that season too, so the blueline in Bakersfield could be fairly crowded.
I have a feeling that this guy is going to be a long term player for the Oilers. Good mix of size, skating and skill. Hopefully he improves on his shot and becomes an absolute steal for us.
Yep, I saw lots of positive posts about Niemelainen on the Bruins draft boards and even some were okay of picking him at 29/early 2nd.
Do you have a link for that? IMO he has a LOT going his way, ultimately it'll be up to him in terms of how far he'll go but there's a lot to like with Niemelainen.
Thanks. They have a guy over there on HFBruins that does some OHL scouting IIRC named Dom. It'd be interesting to know what his take on Niemelainen is.
EDIT-I'd assume that the Dominic guy that Kirk talks to is probably Dom from HFBruins.
Just looked up his stats this season as I haven't heard anything in a while. Stats don't say much but he has 5 pts in 35 GP this season but his +\- is +1. I know +\- doesn't mean much but last season he played 65 games had 27 pts and was a -23, that's quite a turn around!
Anyone have any news on him?
Very interested to watch this guys development curve.