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

[jarnov]

Here's Saarela's debut game played 4 days ago:

1st period
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

2nd period
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

3rd period + overtime
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9

Penalties
Part 10

Lineups

Tappara

61 Chris Connolly - 40 Jarno Koskiranta - 74 Antti Erkinjuntti
17 Ville Nieminen - 16 Aleksander Barkov - 84 Dragan Umicevic
81 Jukka Peltola - 28 Jarkko Malinen - 25 Henrik Haapala
27 Elmeri Kaksonen - 85 Jussi Makkonen - 34 Olli Palola

12 Markus Kankaanperä - 83 Teemu Aalto
18 Tuukka Mäntylä - 56 Dale Clarke
6 Pekka Saravo - 9 Juha Leimu

77 Juha Metsola
(35 Mika Noronen)

Lukko

24 Filip Riska - 15 Justin Azevedo - 20 Teemu Nurmi
28 Jerry Ahtola - 40 Jarkko Kauvosaari - 87 Aleksi Saarela
11 Kimmo Koskenkorva - 9 Juhani Jasu - 33 Charles Bertrand
57 Arttu Ilomäki - 63 Eetu Koski 59 Aki Kangasmäki

27 Martin Jurcina - 55 Harri Tikkanen
3 Roni Viirlas - 21 Matt Generous
71 Otto Räty - 22 Jesse Virtanen

35 Petri Vehanen
(31 Simon Nielsen)

 

[JJTT]

rd benches him again even though he was playing pretty well. wtf..

well they are losing 0-4 so hopefully he gets some playing time now

 

[fr9dd9]

So I hav heard that he is playing some pregames with lukko instead of playing in hlinka or lake placid? So how is he doing? Locking good?

Is it possible that he has grown a bit since the last messurement at 178cm?

 

[FinProspects]

So I hav heard that he is playing some pregames with lukko instead of playing in hlinka or lake placid? So how is he doing? Locking good?

Is it possible that he has grown a bit since the last messurement at 178cm?

According to the fans, looking very good. 2+1 in 4 or 5 games. Saarela has the skill to play in Lukko´s top2-lines.

But no one expects him to shine for a whole season. First 15-20 games will likely go very well (10-15 points), but after that its just a big question mark. He is only 16, you know (altough he turns 17 on January).

I dont know about he measurements. Hopefully he has grown couple of cm´s.

EDIT: Also Saarela has played in wing, altough his natural position is center.

 

[fr9dd9]

According to the fans, looking very good. 2+1 in 4 or 5 games. Saarela has the skill to play in Lukko´s top2-lines.

But no one expects him to shine for a whole season. First 15-20 games will likely go very well (10-15 points), but after that its just a big question mark. He is only 16, you know (altough he turns 17 on January).

I dont know about he measurements. Hopefully he has grown couple of cm´s.

EDIT: Also Saarela has played in wing, altough his natural position is center.

Okey nice to hear! Yeah realy hope he growth taler than typical finnish prospect.. I would love to se him grow to 182 at least, but that probably wont happen..

 

[JJTT]

Okey nice to hear! Yeah realy hope he growth taler than typical finnish prospect.. I would love to se him grow to 182 at least, but that probably wont happen..

Height is not a issue with Saarela because he is very well build for his age (86 kilos), unlike other finnish midgets.

 

[Ohashi_Jouzu*]

All three of the U-17s that played in the SM last year are pretty intriguing: Saarela, Sami Kapanen's son, and Rantanen (big 16 year old moving up the ranks).

 

[fr9dd9]

Just watched the game that is linked on the top of this thred and omg if everything goes the right way Saarela realy has the potential to be that dynamic player with great ability of both playmaker and sniper, and allso be that physical little warrior like peter forsberg.. Realy exiting

 

[JFA87-66-99]

I've been really excited about Saarela for awhile now. He seems to be progressing quite well. A couple people in the Finland forum mentioned that Jesse Puljujarvi (2016) has more potential, just wanted to see what you guys thought.

 

[fr9dd9]

I've been really excited about Saarela for awhile now. He seems to be progressing quite well. A couple people in the Finland forum mentioned that Jesse Puljujarvi (2016) has more potential, just wanted to see what you guys thought.

I dont know mouch about him, but from the little ive seen from him he is type of player like armia, big and fast with quick hands and great shot

 

[FinProspects]

Saarela with a hat trick against Ässät. 4-4 and we are going to overtime.

EDIT: Ässät won 5-4.

 

[JJTT]

- Pojan täytyy varmaan alkaa kaivella ruotsin sanakirjaa esiin, Kivi sanoi viitaten Ruotsin Malmössä käytäviin 20-vuotiaiden MM-kilpailuihin.

Looks like coach Kivi likes him and thinks he will make the u20 wjc team. Really hope this kid can stay healthy.

 

[kelsier]

Haven't been this exctatic about finnish prospect ever (yes that includes Barkov). The kid is going to be very special. That wrister is just a killer.

Watched his first SM league game allthough i very rarely bother to follow it and the kid managed to playmake a goal for himself and create another one. Thrilled to see what he can produce the next season. 16yo and playing with and against veterans, wow.

 

[thomast]

Haven't been this exctatic about finnish prospect ever (yes that includes Barkov). The kid is going to be very special. That wrister is just a killer.

Watched his first SM league game allthough i very rarely bother to follow it and the kid managed to playmake a goal for himself and create another one. Thrilled to see what he can produce the next season. 16yo and playing with and against veterans, wow.

Aleksi Saarela is very gifted hockey player and has skills to become very good player. I think that he might put 30 points this year in FEL and maybe 40-50 points at his draft year. But to me he is nowhere at Barkov's level of prospect. Barkov can impact the game in every way. Has size and tools to be very succesful in the NHL.

I might put Saarela at Granlund's level as a prospect. Saarela is much stronger with better skating than Granlund so i might consider him as tad better prospect to be succesful in the NHL.

If i compare Saarela to McDavid who is in same class there is no doubt that McDavid is on another level. Much more dynamic with elite skating. Saarela only has better shot but that's about it. Special prospect by finnish standards and if everything goes well he might be #2 pick in that draft but has long road to reach it. Everything can happen in 2 years. Teemu Pulkkinen challenged Taylor Hall as #1 pick 2 years before the draft. I have high hopes for Saarela but to me he isn't on Barkov's level or even close as a prospect. I hope he proves me wrong. It's interesting to watch him and Kasperi Kapanen this year in FEL. I'm just excited that small country like Finland has been producing alot of talent. Puljujärvi in 2016 draft looks very very good and has huge frame with great skating. He might be even there with Tyler Benson and Sean Day but too early to do predictions for that draft.

 

[kelsier]

I do think you have too much weight on the actual size. Seriously Saarela is much more of an prostect than Barkov. I do agree on the fact that no matter what points he scores next year (or season after), he will not be the prospect as Mc david, that is tounted as next crosby.

Saarela will be better than Barkov. You'll praise me in a couple of years.

 

[thomast]

I do think you have too much weight on the actual size. Seriously Saarela is much more of an prostect than Barkov. I do agree on the fact that no matter what points he scores next year (or season after), he will not be the prospect as Mc david, that is tounted as next crosby.

Saarela will be better than Barkov. You'll praise me in a couple of years.

I would be excited if he ended up better but now i can't see him being at Barkov level. Can he score more points as Barkov in FEL? Yes he might score more points and i believe that he scores more points that Barkov at 16 but have doubts that he can score as much as Barkov at 17. But the thing is that Saarela can't even touch on Barkov's two-way game. Saarela has good attitude when it comes to defensive game but Barkov is elite. Other thing is tools to be succesful in the NHL. Saarela sure has good strength and he is pretty strong but Barkov is bulky guy for a 6'3 and incredibly strong. There is no comparison in that area of the game. I don't see much difference in offensive game. I prefer Barkov's more because he plays faster and more straight foward game. Saarela seem to spend decent amount time in perimeter at the games. He isn't a guy who makes it happen in every shift like McDavid or be involved in the game like Barkov is.

I think that there is too much overhype on Saarela especially from you. I'm not saying that he isn't a good prospect right now. But Barkov was a guy who was #2 overall pick in a very strong draft especially at the top end. He is most likely going to be in the NHL at barely age of 18. To me Saarela is closer to Granlund than Barkov. If Saarela was much better prospect than Barkov he would go over McDavid. 2 years is long time ask Pulkkinen. I've been watching Saarela alot and he is a good player for sure but has very long road to reach the status that Barkov had at this year draft.

 

[FinProspects]

Why bring up Barkov to this discussion? Totally different players, they are pretty much uncomparable.

I´m just estatic that Finland is finally, FINALLY producing some elite talent. Saarela could be top5-player in 2015 Draft.

 

[Gaps]

I'm just glad we finally have prospects who can score. Lehkonen, Armia, Kapanen and Saarela all have very good shots and at least Teräväinen and Barkov can also finish rather effectively despite being primarily playmakers.

 

[thomast]

Why bring up Barkov to this discussion? Totally different players, they are pretty much uncomparable.

I´m just estatic that Finland is finally, FINALLY producing some elite talent. Saarela could be top5-player in 2015 Draft.

These forums are made for discussion. We compare their NHL potential. It's great comparison early on. They're different players for sure you're right but nothing wrong to compare Saarela who has been hyped for a longtime for a reason to Barkov who is the brightest jewel in finnish junior system right now. To me Saarela has long road to become top 5 pick. I'd say that at this point i see him as first round pick but can go as high as #2 if everything work out, if he can develope his explosiveness, be more dynamic and spend less time in perimeter. But i like his attitude to work hard and intensity when he gives big hits at times. But at times you hardly notice Saarela on ice.

I personally think that Saarela has hard competition to be top european in this draft. Rasmus Andersson is really good in the games i've seen him. Not sure if i would put Saarela ahead him. I see more upside and talent in Saarela but Andersson is really solid player who can make it happen offensively too as a defenseman. Lazarev is very skilled but to me he is slightly overrated and isn't on Saarela and Andersson level right now. But anything can happen in a 2 years. I think that czechexpert and tormentor has best views on 15 eligible european prospects right now and it would be interesting to hear their take on them.

But as you said i'm extremely happy to see finnish junior production getting evolved. Along in 2015 draft we have some promising names like Aleksi Saarela, Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Julius Nättinen, Veeti Vainio and few more who has potential to be NHL draft picks. I think that Kasperi Kapanen is really underrated prospect for 14 draft. Just a dynamite prospect with explosive skating, dynamic hands, excellent shot and has good vision. He has also been growing and is about 6'0 right now. Alot to be excited for.

 

[kelsier]

To me Saarela is closer to Granlund than Barkov. If Saarela was much better prospect than Barkov he would go over McDavid. 2 years is long time ask Pulkkinen. I've been watching Saarela alot and he is a good player for sure but has very long road to reach the status that Barkov had at this year draft.

I don't see that much similarities between Granlund and Saarela. Saarela is much more fluid with the skates and he's got natural frame to support him. Those 2 facts alone will help him avoid the troubles Granlund is facing in the smaller rinks.

I do agree about having a long road ahead. So far the signs are looking bright. It's way too early to tell wether he breaks Barkov's records or not as no one can foresee the future.

Like someone else said, seems we're past the dark decade of not producing much if any high end talents. Plus, there is more coming after the -97 class so it seems to be an ongoing process.

 

[thomast]

I don't see that much similarities between Granlund and Saarela. Saarela is much more fluid with the skates and he's got natural frame to support him. Those 2 facts alone will help him avoid the troubles Granlund is facing in the smaller rinks.

I do agree about having a long road ahead. So far the signs are looking bright. It's way too early to tell wether he breaks Barkov's records or not as no one can foresee the future.

Like someone else said, seems we're past the dark decade of not producing much if any high end talents. Plus, there is more coming after the -97 class so it seems to be an ongoing process.

Never compared their style but the actual NHL upside/potential. Don't take it wrong. I like Saarela and i'm sure he make big buzz at this season at FEL and by finnish standards he is really good prospect. But i wouldn't put him into Barkov category atleast for now and to me he has to do ALOT to reach Barkov's status. I highly doubt that he reaches it but i hope that he and you prove me wrong. My view on Saarela isn't based on his hattrick in practice game or his first period in his first FEL game. I've been watching him dozens of times.

 

[tikkanen5rings*]

Aleksi Saarela is very gifted hockey player and has skills to become very good player. I think that he might put 30 points this year in FEL and maybe 40-50 points at his draft year. But to me he is nowhere at Barkov's level of prospect. Barkov can impact the game in every way. Has size and tools to be very succesful in the NHL.

I might put Saarela at Granlund's level as a prospect. Saarela is much stronger with better skating than Granlund so i might consider him as tad better prospect to be succesful in the NHL.

If i compare Saarela to McDavid who is in same class there is no doubt that McDavid is on another level. Much more dynamic with elite skating. Saarela only has better shot but that's about it. Special prospect by finnish standards and if everything goes well he might be #2 pick in that draft but has long road to reach it. Everything can happen in 2 years. Teemu Pulkkinen challenged Taylor Hall as #1 pick 2 years before the draft. I have high hopes for Saarela but to me he isn't on Barkov's level or even close as a prospect. I hope he proves me wrong. It's interesting to watch him and Kasperi Kapanen this year in FEL. I'm just excited that small country like Finland has been producing alot of talent. Puljujärvi in 2016 draft looks very very good and has huge frame with great skating. He might be even there with Tyler Benson and Sean Day but too early to do predictions for that draft.

The thing with Jesse is that he is so big at the moment, he can use his size to dominate against his peers. He is currently about the same size with his dad so there is a change that he won't grow much anymore.
This could become a problem when he enters the next level and everyone are equally big with him.

 

[thomast]

The thing with Jesse is that he is so big at the moment, he can use his size to dominate against his peers. He is currently about the same size with his dad so there is a change that he won't grow much anymore.
This could become a problem when he enters the next level and everyone are equally big with him.

That might be true but he was 14-15 year old against U18 players. He isn't playing against his age group he is playing mainly against 3 year older and still had 51points and 31 goals in 42 games. He had 3rd most goals in a league for a triple underager. But you're right that next year against Jr A tells alot about his potential.

Predicting growth for a young kid is really hard to do because everyone grows in a different rate. I remember that there was article in leijonat magazine where he was projected to grow as 195cm which is 6'5. Only time will tell if he ends up as that big. But really interested to see how he plays in the U20league as a 15 year old.

 

[fr9dd9]

That last goal from hes hattrick was sick! What a wrister! And is it just me or is he taler then last season? Anyone who knows hes hight and weight?

 

[IceHockeyDude]

How do you see his chances on making the U20 tournament? Is he in a same category as Granlund, Barkov and Määttä who made it as 3 years too young?