C Aleksi Saarela - Lukko, Liiga (2015, 89th, NYR; traded to CAR, traded to CHI, traded to FLA)

[BusQuets]

Hardly.

And regarding overhyping finnish prospects, it really is rather early to say wether it's been offboards or not. Barkov nor Teräväinen haven't played a game in NHL yet and Granlund is still learning. Besides I really doubt the scouting agencies could care much about what's being said in the hfboards dot com while Saarela's name's been up there in the lists for a while now.

I think Kapanen's skating will set them apart. He will have elite speed.

 

[kelsier]

I think Kapanen's skating will set them apart. He will have elite speed.

He has the speed, but speed doesn't make you a player. His father was the fastest skater of the league, but was he ever the best or even close?
Saarela has the tools to be special. Kapanen isn't even in the same tier at the moment, as there are more areas for him to improve. I'd have no problem betting which one of them will put up more points next season even having Saarela a year behind in progress.

Your making the same argument as thomast did, except for switching one attribute to another. And he had a better point, eventhough still invalid. It's still early with this kids while no doubt exciting to watch!

 

[BusQuets]

He has the speed, but speed doesn't make you a player. His father was the fastest skater of the league, but was he ever the best or even close?
Saarela has the tools to be special. Kapanen isn't even in the same tier at the moment, as there are more areas for him to improve. I'd have no problem betting which one of them will put up more points next season even having Saarela a year behind in progress.

Your making the same argument as thomast did, except for switching one attribute to another. And he had a better point, eventhough still invalid. It's still early with this kids while no doubt exciting to watch!

Saarela might outscore Kapanen in the Liiga but I think Kapanen has better NHL potential. He will be bigger and faster also his shot and hockey smarts are quite good too. I think he will be top10 in the next draft.

 

[Necropolis]

Saarela might outscore Kapanen in the Liiga but I think Kapanen has better NHL potential. He will be bigger and faster also his shot and hockey smarts are quite good too. I think he will be top10 in the next draft.

I don't know if Kapanen will be bigger by a lot if at all. They're both around 5'11"/5'10" range right now I think but Saarela looks like he has a lot more muscle - check out his Instagram photos. Saarela is almost 190 pounds all ready (187) and Kapanen is 165 pounds. So Saarela is pretty much physically much more developed at younger age and he could very well grow still an inch or two (not saying that Kapanen couldn't).

 

[McGlassbangers]

I don't know if Kapanen will be bigger by a lot if at all. They're both around 5'11"/5'10" range right now I think but Saarela looks like he has a lot more muscle - check out his Instagram photos. Saarela is almost 190 pounds all ready (187) and Kapanen is 165 pounds. So Saarela is pretty much physically much more developed at younger age and he could very well grow still an inch or two (not saying that Kapanen couldn't).

Bolded is false. Kasperi Kapanen is 182cm which is about 6'0.

If we compare Saarela and Kapanen:

Kapanen +:
- his skating is absolutely unreal, Saarela isn't even in the same planet with him
- more physical, likes to hit a lot

Even:
- puckhandling skills, impossible to say which player has better hands, both has great
- both are mediocre defensive players

Saarela +:
- better shot
- better vision/passing

Both are amazing talents, which one is going to be better? Flip a coin.

 

[Necropolis]

Bolded is false. Kasperi Kapanen is 182cm which is about 6'0.

If we compare Saarela and Kapanen:

Kapanen +:
- his skating is absolutely unreal, Saarela isn't even in the same planet with him
- more physical, likes to hit a lot

Even:
- puckhandling skills, impossible to say which player has better hands, both has great
- both are mediocre defensive players

Saarela +:
- better shot
- better vision/passing

Both are amazing talents, which one is going to be better? Flip a coin.

Where did you get that information? Not saying that it's wrong but both Eliteprospects and SM-liiga's website have listed him at 5'10".

Also Saarela has better defensive game than Kapanen. Kapanen doesn't seem to care of playing defense that much and is a lazy backchecker where Saarela has much better attitude when it comes to playing defense.

 

[kelsier]

Kapanen didn't make an impact last year. We'll see what will happen this season, but so far atleast I'm not that impressed. The guy won't be a world class talent that is almost guaranteed, nonetheless (on some pre-lists he was even cut out for round 1). We are talking about a player who already had a season with the adults, which means scouts have deeper insight on him compared to other prospects. Talking about overhype, well there you have it, ha.

 

[kelsier]

Of course I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see that happening. Time will tell. In the meanwhile, if you want to compare these 2 here are some stats:

Kasperi Kapanen:

2010-11 KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 0 0 0 0 0 |
KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 26 14 8 22 10 |
2011-12 KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 8 12 4 16 4 |
KalPa U16 Jr. C I-divisioona 2 1 1 2 10 | Playoffs 4 4 7 11 0
KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja Q 2 0 0 0 2 |
KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja 25 13 11 24 6 | Playoffs 2 0 0 0 0
Finland U16 (all) International-Jr 16 11 6 17 20 11 |
2012-13 KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja 3 3 3 6 0 |
KalPa U20 Jr. A SM-liiga 36 14 15 29 16 -3 |
KalPa SM-liiga 13 4 0 4 2 1 | Playoffs 4 0 1 1 2 1
Finland U17 [A] WHC-17 5 3 6 9 4 |
Finland U18 WJC-18 7 5 3 8 4 4 |
Finland U18 (all) International-Jr 8 1 1 2 15 -1

Aleksi Saarela:

2010-11 Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 1 1 0 1 0 |
Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 1 1 1 2 0 |
2011-12 Lukko U16 [A] Jr. C SM-sarja Q 8 11 17 28 4 |
Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 28 33 39 72 26 | Playoffs 9 14 15 29 4
Finland U16 (all) International-Jr - - - - - |
2012-13 Lukko U18 [A] Jr. B SM-sarja 16 17 19 36 14 |
Lukko U20 Jr. A SM-liiga 22 8 10 18 6 -1 | Playoffs 10 2 6 8 2 6
Lukko SM-liiga 3 1 1 2 0 -2 |
Finland U17 WHC-17 5 2 2 4 2 |
Finland U17 (all) International-Jr 4 1 1 2 2

I believe Saarela set a record for highest points all time in Jr C at 2011-2012 with 72pts.

 

[thomast]

Of course I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see that happening. Time will tell. In the meanwhile, if you want to compare these 2 here are some stats:

Kasperi Kapanen:

2010-11 KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 0 0 0 0 0 |
KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 26 14 8 22 10 |
2011-12 KalPa U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 8 12 4 16 4 |
KalPa U16 Jr. C I-divisioona 2 1 1 2 10 | Playoffs 4 4 7 11 0
KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja Q 2 0 0 0 2 |
KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja 25 13 11 24 6 | Playoffs 2 0 0 0 0
Finland U16 (all) International-Jr 16 11 6 17 20 11 |
2012-13 KalPa U18 Jr. B SM-sarja 3 3 3 6 0 |
KalPa U20 Jr. A SM-liiga 36 14 15 29 16 -3 |
KalPa SM-liiga 13 4 0 4 2 1 | Playoffs 4 0 1 1 2 1
Finland U17 [A] WHC-17 5 3 6 9 4 |
Finland U18 WJC-18 7 5 3 8 4 4 |
Finland U18 (all) International-Jr 8 1 1 2 15 -1

Aleksi Saarela:

2010-11 Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja Q 1 1 0 1 0 |
Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 1 1 1 2 0 |
2011-12 Lukko U16 [A] Jr. C SM-sarja Q 8 11 17 28 4 |
Lukko U16 Jr. C SM-sarja 28 33 39 72 26 | Playoffs 9 14 15 29 4
Finland U16 (all) International-Jr - - - - - |
2012-13 Lukko U18 [A] Jr. B SM-sarja 16 17 19 36 14 |
Lukko U20 Jr. A SM-liiga 22 8 10 18 6 -1 | Playoffs 10 2 6 8 2 6
Lukko SM-liiga 3 1 1 2 0 -2 |
Finland U17 WHC-17 5 2 2 4 2 |
Finland U17 (all) International-Jr 4 1 1 2 2

I believe Saarela set a record for highest points all time in Jr C at 2011-2012 with 72pts.

Stats is just stats. I like Kasperi more because of his elite skating , he is more dynamic player and plays high tempo hockey. Kasperi is taller being like 182 and might end up in 6'1 range. Saarela is much more mature physically but he is closer to 175 than 178 and i've seen him while ago. He has been around that height for a lobg time and it is bit concerning. But Saarela is much safer bet and is more responsible player in the defensive zone. Kasperi isn't a lazy player at all he just make typical junior mistakes at times. Saarela rarely makes them but his defensive positioning isn't best right now.

To me Kasperi Kapanen has higher NHL potential and i like him more but if i had to bet my money i would bet it on Saarela. Kasperi looked much better in small ice at U17 WHC. I think that Kasperi has better tools and playing style for the NHL.

 

[kelsier]

Stats is just stats. I like Kasperi more because of his elite skating , he is more dynamic player and plays high tempo hockey. Kasperi is taller being like 182 and might end up in 6'1 range. Saarela is much more mature physically but he is closer to 175 than 178 and i've seen him while ago. He has been around that height for a lobg time and it is bit concerning. But Saarela is much safer bet and is more responsible player in the defensive zone. Kasperi isn't a lazy player at all he just make typical junior mistakes at times. Saarela rarely makes them but his defensive positioning isn't best right now.

To me Kasperi Kapanen has higher NHL potential and i like him more but if i had to bet my money i would bet it on Saarela. Kasperi looked much better in small ice at U17 WHC. I think that Kasperi has better tools and playing style for the NHL.

"Stats are just stats"? underminding possibly the highest player potential indicator isn't exactly resting a case. It is rather well known fact how Kapanen inherited his SM league roster spot last year, otherwise he would not have touched the ice on this level on season 2012-13. Even the team's (Kalpa) supporters seemed rather stunned about having a raw player like that on the roster. He propably would not be playing this year either unless for having the last name. So far, we have rather 1 dimensional player that hasn't displayed much during his short appearance in the mens league neither making a show in the youth leagues before. I doubt he even makes top10 in the Finnish youth pool at the moment. As I said before, he can improve but at the moment is quite far away at the moment of being top notch of this age group. In Lake Placid Kapanen was playing with Teräväinen and Lehkonen and was largely shadowed by both. You can like him all you want, but having average height and being a speedy player won't make you a top sixer in the NHL. There are dozens after dozens fast skaters in the world right now.

If somehow Kapanen manages to take a huge jump and becomes a better player out of these 2 I'll be quite pleased, cause then you'll have 1 hell of a player. But it won't happen, sadly.

When you base an estimation of player potential on speed and size then you have Armia. He is not the best finnish prospect, eventhough he has the highest ceiling most likely. Most of these guys never reach their highest possible upside. Personally I just find it amusing how easily some prospects can be labelled to be superstars, when lacking sight of seeing all affecting elements.

 

[thomast]

"Stats are just stats"? underminding possibly the highest player potential indicator isn't exactly resting a case. It is rather well known fact how Kapanen inherited his SM league roster spot last year, otherwise he would not have touched the ice on this level on season 2012-13. Even the team's (Kalpa) supporters seemed rather stunned about having a raw player like that on the roster. He propably would not be playing this year either unless for having the last name. So far, we have rather 1 dimensional player that hasn't displayed much during his short appearance in the mens league neither making a show in the youth leagues before. I doubt he even makes top10 in the Finnish youth pool at the moment. As I said before, he can improve but at the moment is quite far away at the moment of being top notch of this age group. In Lake Placid Kapanen was playing with Teräväinen and Lehkonen and was largely shadowed by both. You can like him all you want, but having average height and being a speedy player won't make you a top sixer in the NHL. There are dozens after dozens fast skaters in the world right now.

If somehow Kapanen manages to take a huge jump and becomes a better player out of these 2 I'll be quite pleased, cause then you'll have 1 hell of a player. But it won't happen, sadly.

When you base an estimation of player potential on speed and size then you have Armia. He is not the best finnish prospect, eventhough he has the highest ceiling most likely. Most of these guys never reach their highest possible upside. Personally I just find it amusing how easily some prospects can be labelled to be superstars, when lacking sight of seeing all affecting elements.

I've seen both multiple times and that is my personal opinion. The U17 WHC tournament was eye opener for me. Kapanen used his best attributes in advantage and was dangerous every time he hit ice. Saarela struggled to play effective game in a small ice.

Kapanen isn't just speed. You have limited knowledge of hockey if you think so. He wouldn't be considered as potential 1st round pick if he was all speed. He is very dynamic player who has elite speed, dynamic hands, great shot and good vision. He has high-end skill set and can be physical too and plays high-tempo hockey which fits perfectly on the small ice. Kapanen was playing U20 competition and it is hard to any player to be succesfull at that event as 16 year old. At 18WC he was one of the top players and was the biggest reason along with Saros why they won a bronze medal. Kapanen isn't mature as Saarela that is the reason why i think that Saarela is more ready for FEL and most likely will score more points. But we talked about NHL potential. Saarela has been about 175 for a year now and that is really concerning even when he is very bulky. If you're that small without elite skating it is huge drawback for many NHL teams. I still think that Saarela is a very good prospect but to me he is hugely overrated. Of course he can put up alot of points in FEL this year as a 16-17 year old but i'd rather look at their games and how would they translate to the NHL. You were saying that Saarela is going to be better than Barkov 2 year before he gets even drafted. That tells all the necessary things about you. I would be very very suprised if Saarela reaches elite prospect status at his draft year. To me Saarela has higher chance to become a NHL player but i like Kapanen's potential better. I've seen them both multiple times and even on the same team. Kapanen has been always the guy who is more exciting to me. Kapanen isn't really 1 dimensional like you say. It is obvious that he is still learning defensive game and to me there is not big concerns about his work ethic. Saarela is more hard worker for sure but he has to learn alot defense too especially on his positioning on the defensive zone.

Armia has a big problem. He is very very inconsistent. In some games he is unstopable but after that he might have 5 games in a row where he can be below average player who take unnecessary penalties. I think that is major concern for any team.

I told you reasons why i like Kasperi's NHL potential more. If you can't swallow it then be quiet. If you want to tell your opinion or argue about my opinion go on but you should read my posts before doing it. My reason's isn't just speed and size like you said. Both of these prospects has good chance to be 1st round picks and i'm happy because of that but wouldn't go far and say that Saarela is surefire top 5 or even top 10 pick. I personally would say that he has potential to be 1st round pick right now. After next season he could be consensus top 10 player of his draft for sure but the season is long.

I've been hearing rumours that Aleksi Saarela could play KHL at his draft year for Jokerit. Not sure if there is much truth but it is exciting idea.

 

[kelsier]

I've seen both multiple times and that is my personal opinion. The U17 WHC tournament was eye opener for me. Kapanen used his best attributes in advantage and was dangerous every time he hit ice. Saarela struggled to play effective game in a small ice.

Kapanen isn't just speed. You have limited knowledge of hockey if you think so. He wouldn't be considered as potential 1st round pick if he was all speed. He is very dynamic player who has elite speed, dynamic hands, great shot and good vision. He has high-end skill set and can be physical too and plays high-tempo hockey which fits perfectly on the small ice. Kapanen was playing U20 competition and it is hard to any player to be succesfull at that event as 16 year old. At 18WC he was one of the top players and was the biggest reason along with Saros why they won a bronze medal. Kapanen isn't mature as Saarela that is the reason why i think that Saarela is more ready for FEL and most likely will score more points. But we talked about NHL potential. Saarela has been about 175 for a year now and that is really concerning even when he is very bulky. If you're that small without elite skating it is huge drawback for many NHL teams. I still think that Saarela is a very good prospect but to me he is hugely overrated. Of course he can put up alot of points in FEL this year as a 16-17 year old but i'd rather look at their games and how would they translate to the NHL. You were saying that Saarela is going to be better than Barkov 2 year before he gets even drafted. That tells all the necessary things about you. I would be very very suprised if Saarela reaches elite prospect status at his draft year. To me Saarela has higher chance to become a NHL player but i like Kapanen's potential better. I've seen them both multiple times and even on the same team. Kapanen has been always the guy who is more exciting to me. Kapanen isn't really 1 dimensional like you say. It is obvious that he is still learning defensive game and to me there is not big concerns about his work ethic. Saarela is more hard worker for sure but he has to learn alot defense too especially on his positioning on the defensive zone.

Armia has a big problem. He is very very inconsistent. In some games he is unstopable but after that he might have 5 games in a row where he can be below average player who take unnecessary penalties. I think that is major concern for any team.

I told you reasons why i like Kasperi's NHL potential more. If you can't swallow it then be quiet. If you want to tell your opinion or argue about my opinion go on but you should read my posts before doing it. My reason's isn't just speed and size like you said. Both of these prospects has good chance to be 1st round picks and i'm happy because of that but wouldn't go far and say that Saarela is surefire top 5 or even top 10 pick. I personally would say that he has potential to be 1st round pick right now. After next season he could be consensus top 10 player of his draft for sure but the season is long.

I've been hearing rumours that Aleksi Saarela could play KHL at his draft year for Jokerit. Not sure if there is much truth but it is exciting idea.

Telling someone that disagrees with you to be quiet on a public forum is rather, well hilarious, at best. You've made somewhere between hundred to five hundred posts about Barkov repeating the same points over and over like a broken record. Then there are people laughing here about overhyped Finnish prospects. Are you bright enough to see a pattern?

Yeah I see Saarela being even better prospect than Barkov and now, don't get me wrong as I'm a big fan of Barkov. But rough estimate on the player based on your observations would place him somewhere between generational talent to a nearly divine being walking about the surface. We don't even have reincarnated Forsberg here. In general these kind of debates are pointless unless your comparing players that have physical build, the same kind of playing style and similar tool box. With Saarela, Barkov and Kapanen - 3 really different type of players - you can only make a rough estimate of which can make the most impact on the game. None of them are comparable to another, let alone the fact that S & B are natural centers where K is a winger. Saarela and Barkov are on a different tier there compared to Kapanen because he lacks the multidimensions that the other 2 have. Hockey IQ isn't something that can be taught and players that are lacking it can only gain so much via experience. This is something you can see early on from the player's development.

I don't know which games you've watched but I've followed all 3 of them as well. Now I don't know wether it is bias, fanacism or something entirely else seeing things from different perspectives, but for some reason the scouts seem to prefer Saarela over Kapanen. If you think you got more professional or more accurate sight of things then that's your business really.

 

[thomast]

Telling someone that disagrees with you to be quiet on a public forum is rather, well hilarious, at best. You've made somewhere between hundred to five hundred posts about Barkov repeating the same points over and over like a broken record. Then there are people laughing here about overhyped Finnish prospects. Are you bright enough to see a pattern?

Yeah I see Saarela being even better prospect than Barkov and now, don't get me wrong as I'm a big fan of Barkov. But rough estimate on the player based on your observations would place him somewhere between generational talent to a nearly divine being walking about the surface. We don't even have reincarnated Forsberg here. In general these kind of debates are pointless unless your comparing players that have physical build, the same kind of playing style and similar tool box. With Saarela, Barkov and Kapanen - 3 really different type of players - you can only make a rough estimate of which can make the most impact on the game. None of them are comparable to another, let alone the fact that S & B are natural centers where K is a winger. Saarela and Barkov are on a different tier there compared to Kapanen because he lacks the multidimensions that the other 2 have. Hockey IQ isn't something that can be taught and players that are lacking it can only gain so much via experience. This is something you can see early on from the player's development.

I don't know which games you've watched but I've followed all 3 of them as well. Now I don't know wether it is bias, fanacism or something entirely else seeing things from different perspectives, but for some reason the scouts seem to prefer Saarela over Kapanen. If you think you got more professional or more accurate sight of things then that's your business really.

Try to find a post where i claim that Barkov is a generational talent or even next forsberg? I've been only saying that Barkov is a special prospect by finnish standards and maybe even european standards. That's the reason why i told you to be quiet. If you can't post any smart arguments but only make some nonsense claims that i think that Barkov is a generational talent or i like Kapanen more only because he is bigger and faster just after when i have posted multiple reasons why i like Kasperi more. I have been really high on Barkov for many years and told that i've never seen as good players as him as 17 year old in finland and he should contend for #1 overall. I never even stated that Barkov is surefire #1 pick. Barkov is a special kid for sure when he went #2 in a very heavy draft at the top end it even confirmed it. That's remarkable for small country like finland.

I get it if you think that Saarela has more NHL potential and i don't see anything wrong in it. Consensus of the people agrees with you. But when i post that i like Kapanen more and post some points that why i think that Kasperi has higher NHL potential i'd like to hear some arguments if you disagree. You only stick on couple of points when i have posted multiple reasons more.

You just posted less than week ago that Saarela is going to be better player than Barkov book it. That's massive overhype. Even more overhype that i put over Barkov.

Are you claiming that Saarela is a multidimensional player and he is good defensively? I see him as hard working kid who is learning defense but at times when you watch him he is lost in the defensive zone and all. I wouldn't call Saarela as good defensive player but he has potential to be above average to good two-way player right now he is below average defensively. But i think that Saarela is a guy who will end up as a solid player in the defensive zone. Barkov is couple tiers above of Saarela defensively and was it as 16 year old. To me they're both tier below Barkov right now. I would be excited if Saarela end up as good or even better but it's a very long shot that Saarela will gain elite prospect status at his draft. Like i have said that he haven't been growing and he is closer to 175. If he doesen't grow it will hurt his stock alot because we all know that small size scares away alot of NHL clubs. When you add that he spend too much time at perimeter it will hurt his stock even more. Alot has to change and he has to crush Barkov's offensive records to be even considered as good prospect. Little better is not even enough because Barkov has much better defensive game and is much bigger. He has to crush the records. I highly doubt that he will but time will tell.

I will stop debating over this because it will go only back and forth. Time will tell that who was right but god i hope that you're right that Saarela will be better than Barkov.

 

[McGlassbangers]

It is rather well known fact how Kapanen inherited his SM league roster spot last year, otherwise he would not have touched the ice on this level on season 2012-13. Even the team's (Kalpa) supporters seemed rather stunned about having a raw player like that on the roster. He propably would not be playing this year either unless for having the last name.

So you're trying to prove your opinion by basing it on complete lies? If you knew what you're talking about you'd probably also know that Kapanen played 13 games in the regular season and was constantly one of the best player on the ice. Also he played 4 games in playoffs, was easily the best forward in the team and ended up being the only forward with positive +/-. You're right about one thing, his last name is indeed Kapanen but I'll tell you a secret. If his last name was Möttönen, Korhonen or Rasvapillu etc. he would've still been in men's team.

Also saying Kapanen is one dimensional player is laughable and I'm not even going to quote that part of your shoddy message. It just proves you don't like him because his last name is Kapanen. There is a reason why he is considered being a first rounder in the next years draft. I've seen scouts saying he is first rounder and I've even seen scouts saying he's top-10 pick. Hell, one scout even had him in the top-5.

 

[Sartorial]

Note to self..stay off Saarela thread for a while.

kelsier and thomast...I'd recommend a private exchange


Anyway, what's the quality of competition going to be like this next season for Aleksi?

 

[JJTT]

Anyway, what's the quality of competition going to be like this next season for Aleksi?

He is going to play top6 minutes as RW/Center in sm-liiga.
Also he is going to be Finland's 2nd line center behind Teräväinen in u20wjc's and first line center in u18's as of now. So plenty of high quality games for him this year.
It is possible that he also plays in finnish u20 league if/when he hits a slump.

 

[psycho_dad*]

Anyway, what's the quality of competition going to be like this next season for Aleksi?

In the exhibition games he has been playing second line winger, it seems that he will play top 6 minutes in Liiga. And most (especially those who have played in both) would say Liiga is better than AHL (just for a north american comparison).

He scored 3 goals against the reigning Finnish league champions in the exhibition game and scored against one of the top KHL teams in an exhibition game. Time will tell, but he looks incredibly ready for a 16 year old. Must be because he is physically more ready than any other 16 year old finnish prospect has been. Including Barkov.

 

[thomast]

In the exhibition games he has been playing second line winger, it seems that he will play top 6 minutes in Liiga. And most (especially those who have played in both) would say Liiga is better than AHL (just for a north american comparison).

He scored 3 goals against the reigning Finnish league champions in the exhibition game and scored against one of the top KHL teams in an exhibition game. Time will tell, but he looks incredibly ready for a 16 year old. Must be because he is physically more ready than any other 16 year old finnish prospect has been. Including Barkov.

I agree with you. Saarela is more mature physically than Barkov was at 16 year old. But it is not just all physical maturity. He is very smart too and his decision making with the puck is great. I think that Saarela is pretty mature mentally too. Only thing why i see him playing wing instead if his natural position C is because of the play without the puck. He is hard working kid but his defensive game is developing needs to work his positioning and be more aware of his duties. At times he looks lost but i'm almost certain that he will be solid player in the defensive zone. Barkov in the other hand were very good without the puck from day 1. Barkov developed with huge steps physically at 17 year old. I don't see that Saarela has as much room to grow physically.

 

[Erikfromfin]

Its great how finnish hockey is saved in just timespan of 4-5 years. we might not have the success at sochi or possible at potential world cup 16 but from further on should be dynamite core. since the current generation ala M.Koivu, V.Filppula, T.Ruutu, P.Rinne & J.Pitkänen and co there was nearly 10 year span where no quality players got drafted from finland and now in just few years and 2 more to come we have quality coming.
i made this future finland look into saarela topic (sorry) from 2010 draft onwards. only added sami vatanen from 09 but his babyface anyway so thats fine. draft year after name.

K.Kapanen'(14) - A.Barkov'13 - T.Teräväinen'12
--------S.Vatanen'09 - O.Määttä'12-----------
---------------S.Aittokallio'10-----------------

J.Puljujärvi'(16) - Mi.Granlund'10 - J.Armia'11
-------R.Ristolainen'13 - V.Pokka'12--------
----------------K.Kähkönen'(14)-----------

A.Lehkonen'13 - A.Saarela'(15) - M.Salomäki'11
----------J.Honka'(14) - J.Hakanpää'10--------
----------------J.Korpisalo'12-----------------

T.Pulkkinen'10 - J.Rask'10 - Ma.Granlund'11
------M.Vainonen'12 - N.Tikkinen'12-------
---------------J.Saros'13-----------------

 

[Jussi]

Its great how finnish hockey is saved in just timespan of 4-5 years. we might not have the success at sochi or possible at potential world cup 16 but from further on should be dynamite core. since the current generation ala M.Koivu, V.Filppula, T.Ruutu, P.Rinne & J.Pitkänen and co there was nearly 10 year span where no quality players got drafted from finland and now in just few years and 2 more to come we have quality coming.
i made this future finland look into saarela topic (sorry) from 2010 draft onwards. only added sami vatanen from 09 but his babyface anyway so thats fine. draft year after name.

K.Kapanen'(14) - A.Barkov'13 - T.Teräväinen'12
--------S.Vatanen'09 - O.Määttä'12-----------
---------------S.Aittokallio'10-----------------

J.Puljujärvi'(16) - Mi.Granlund'10 - J.Armia'11
-------R.Ristolainen'13 - V.Pokka'12--------
----------------K.Kähkönen'(14)-----------

A.Lehkonen'13 - A.Saarela'(15) - M.Salomäki'11
----------J.Honka'(14) - J.Hakanpää'10--------
----------------J.Korpisalo'12-----------------

T.Pulkkinen'10 - J.Rask'10 - Ma.Granlund'11
------M.Vainonen'12 - N.Tikkinen'12-------
---------------J.Saros'13-----------------

Again on the wrong side...

 

[Erikfromfin]

forgot Henri Ikonen. he looked good in lake placid tournament. should replace pulkkinen with him

 

[edd1e]

How much of a change there is that Saarela becomes another J.Rita?

 

[Gaps]

forgot Henri Ikonen. he looked good in lake placid tournament. should replace pulkkinen with him

Leave Pulu alone and throw out Joonas Rask instead.

 

[Killerinstinct]

How much of a change there is that Saarela becomes another J.Rita?

None, because Saarela is a center and thousand times more skilled than Jani Rita in all aspects of game, and he has a heavy shot.

 

[Syan Ruter]

None, because Saarela is a center and thousand times more skilled than Jani Rita in all aspects of game, and he has a heavy shot.

Said every Finn ever. We should just take it easy on our boys, so that the "Finnish Overhype Bust Curse" doesn't take effect.