Prospect Info: Antti Saarela, Center, Ilves, 123rd Overall (2019)

[No Fun Shogun]

A name I will never spell right.

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[CallMeShaft]

Ranked #71 by THE ATHLETIC
Ranked #76 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #100 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #24 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #74 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM

An Antti that isn't a goalie?!?

 

[migi]

Saarela is going to surprise a lot people. I think he has legit NHL potential and I’m usually not high on Finns.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Smurf alert, 5'11", so the string of six+ footers is over.

Only 17 for a few more days, so a young'in.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Our look

2019 NHL Draft Scouting Reports: Prospects 81-90 - Last Word on Hockey

 

[Jussi]

A name I will never spell right.

That's one "a", one "n", two "t"s, one "i". Might want to put fix that thread title.

 

[piteus]

That's one "a", one "n", two "t"s, one "i". Might want to put fix that thread title.

Any relation to Annti Niemi or Annti Raanta? Those crazy Finns. Kaapo Kakko.

 

[Jussi]

Saarela is going to surprise a lot people. I think he has legit NHL potential and I’m usually not high on Finns.

His dad, two time to goal scorer in Liiga, once described his sons Aleksi and Antti to our hometown paper with "Aleksi is the stronger, while Antti is more skilled and not as arrogant (or more grounded)". What I've heard since, is that that might not be the case anymore. I hope Karri Kivi puts his head straight at Ilves.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Not Ethan Keppen.

 

[TLEH]

Haven't seen the player but I like what I am hearing.

 

[piteus]

His dad, two time to goal scorer in Liiga, once described his sons Aleksi and Antti to our hometown paper with "Aleksi is the stronger, while Antti is more skilled and not as arrogant (or more grounded)". What I've heard since, is that that might not be the case anymore. I hope Karri Kivi puts his head straight at Ilves.

Jari Kurri, Kaapo Kakko, Karri Kivi ... this is awesome.

Sisu!

 

[Rick C137]

I remember the name and feel like I was impressed when I saw him play. But then again I could be confusing him with someone else.

Quality insight, I know.

 

[Jussi]

Any relation to Annti Niemi or Annti Raanta? Those crazy Finns. Kaapo Kakko.

Antti is a common first name in Finland.

 

[piteus]

I remember the name and feel like I was impressed when I saw him play. But then again I could be confusing him with someone else.

Quality insight, I know.

90% of the people on this board have never heard of any of the draft picks until a month ago. However, we still want to get in our hot takes.

 

[piteus]

Antti is a common first name in Finland.

I know ... I'm just having fun. I even went to a friend's wedding in Helsinki. It was a good time.

 

[Kevin Musto]

 

[giza]

His old man scored goals so gotta like his genes at least......looks like his hands decent.

 

[featherhawk]

Anti is going to carve out a nice career IMO

 

[Mrfenn92]

Finnish nordstrom.

 

[Kevin Musto]

If you compare the brothers, Antti has better production than Aleksi at the same age. Aleksi is coming off a 30 goal season in the AHL at 22 years old. If Antti stays on the same trejectory, he could be playing that well in 2 years.

I'm quite interested in the both of them.

 

[Muffinalt]

If you compare the brothers, Antti has better production than Aleksi at the same age. Aleksi is coming off a 30 goal season in the AHL at 22 years old. If Antti stays on the same trejectory, he could be playing that well in 2 years.

I'm quite interested in the both of them.

In the prospect thread one poster was saying how Antti is the one who plays more of a skill game.

I like how both are willing to play physical, with their production it's going to be a good package.

 

[bwana63]

All the Finns! Kid looks good.

 

[Legend Leinonen]

His old man scored goals so gotta like his genes at least......looks like his hands decent.

Pasi (the dad) was many times (if my memory does not completely fail me) quoted as being the strongest player in Liiga (then SM-Liiga). Apparently lifted sh*t-ton of weights in the gym. Also had a very hard slapper - if that matters at all.

 

[Teemu]

Post-draft report: Chicago selects Antti Saarela in the fourth round

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Scored his first goal of the season (scored 2 last season).
Interesting fact was gotten from the smartpuck app: speed/velocity of his wrist shot was 138 km/h (86 mph).