ChicagoBullsFan
Registered User
So far what i know as HIFK fan Vinni is projected to be 2nd goalie in HIFK 2024-2025.No idea, what are your thoughts of him? Best for him to stay in Finland for another year or two in your opinion?
But HIFK as a team is mediocre and mostly all HIFK fans have zero expectations to coming season.
HIFK had skill-loaded team last season ( 2023-2024 ) and they were
supposed to compete SM liiga championship title but HIFK faced
early elimination in SM liiga playoffs when Pelicans Lahti
eliminated HIFK 4-3 in 1st round of SM liiga playoffs.
I'm not heard any news of that HIFK would be looking experienced goalie in free agent market.
But that can change fast if there will be goaltending issues or problems or injuries.
Vinni has already played 1,5 SM liiga games but those didn't go so well.
First game Vinni came in as backup and helped HIFK to win but next game vs Tappara
Vinni collapsed totally and he got pulled out before the end of 2nd period
and that was season 2022-2023 when he played those games.
Last years ( 2023 ) U18 WJC's Vinni didn't impress me.
He allowed many soft and easy goals and that's why
Finland's tournament was over after quarterfinals.
If Oilers trust HIFK's ability to develop Vinni
and they feel that's better for Vinni's deveploment then let him to stay in HIFK and so be it.
It is true most of Finnish players
who are under contract with SM liiga team they rarely report to CHL team
even they would be drafted so far only Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is only Finnish NHL goaltender
who's played in CHL and AHL before NHL so it is open question would that work in Vinni's case.
But my own opinion is that
CHL is superior development league to young players than SM liiga
and what earlier Vinni comes to North America and starts learning
North American game that's better for his development.
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