2024 Draft: 2nd Pick - Eemil Vinni (G)

[ChicagoBullsFan]

No idea, what are your thoughts of him? Best for him to stay in Finland for another year or two in your opinion?

So far what i know as HIFK fan Vinni is projected to be 2nd goalie in HIFK 2024-2025.
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.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

Can never have too many goalies in the prospect field and Finland pumps out goalies like America pumps out apple pie.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Might be the lamest goalie fight of all time, hugged it out after no punches thrown lol.

Lol I didn't attest to the quality, just a video, he won for what it's worth and the other guy looked like an old man, so well done

 

[Shathar]

They had me at ' he still gives up too many softies'.
Welcome to the oil Eemil Vinni!

 

[ManByng]

He is ranked #1 for International Goalies. So can't be that bad.

And we got him before anyone else did ! I love this pick !

 

[TheNumber4]

#1 ranked International Goalie, "high end athleticism", sounds good. Surprised he was the 5th goalie taken in this draft.

Pracey and our goalie Scout met our Finnish Scout in Finland to scout him in person. Good to see some leg work. Did Wright ever go to Europe to see a kid? I know when we drafted Samuel Jonsson it was just on the word of the same Finnish scout.

 

[TheNumber4]

Goalie Scout Take:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807089855832129772

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807122916011589684

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Goalie Scout Take:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807122916011589684

I don't mind taking a bet on an 18 year old developing some form of consistency when there's already that level of talent on display.

 

[trojansoilers]

I’m all for taking a goalie every draft if we have enough picks cause they’re such a crapshoot nowadays.

The bright side is, when Desharnais leaves we can still continue the Skinny Vinni Winny meme

 

[SwedishFire]

He’ll be good until Schwartz get to him.

Sad but True. But thats why Smith is hired here, right?

 

[McFlyingV]

Love the pick. I'll take an athletic goalie over a positional goalie any day. You can teach positioning, play reading, and crease control, but you can't teach athleticism and reflexes in a goalie.