C/W Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Ässät, Liiga (2018, 3rd, MTL) Part II

[MalkinsPierogi]

Pavel Datsyuk played at around 168 lbs and you didn't see it effect his game much... Kotkaniemi is a special player. He's going to be really great for Montreal. You guys deserve it!

 

[waitin425]

220lbs is a standard weight for 6'2-6'3 center. Matthews was just already there, same with MacKinnon.

Malkin is 6'3" 195 lbs

 

[Saxon]

Malkin is 6'3" 195 lbs

Probably why he's only a second line centre...

 

[Mrb1p]

Pavel Datsyuk played at around 168 lbs and you didn't see it effect his game much... Kotkaniemi is a special player. He's going to be really great for Montreal. You guys deserve it!

Yeah, I doubt Dats was at 170 lbs (and hes 5'11, not 6'2) as he was one of the strongest player in the league in his prime.

 

[Captain Mountain]

220lbs is a standard weight for 6'2-6'3 center. Matthews was just already there, same with MacKinnon.

Malkin, Scheifele, Kuznetsov, Barkov, Eichel and Couturier say what are you on about.

Bergeron, McDavid and Stamkos wonder why an extra inch or two means that you need to be 15-30 pounds heavier.

 

[SoundAndFury]

So obviously having a bodybuilder body is extremely important for a hockey player. Extremely.

 

[jfhabs]

Malkin, Scheifele, Kuznetsov, Barkov, Eichel and Couturier say what are you on about.

Bergeron, McDavid and Stamkos wonder why an extra inch or two means that you need to be 15-30 pounds heavier.

It really depends of your natural build. Some guys will be more effective at 190-200 and others at 210-220... For Kotka, I don't think he necessarily have to take 20 pounds. I think he just needs to reinforce, he could most probably hold his own at 195

 

[Gsus]

You have to be this and this weight to be an NHL'er. Ridiculous to me.

 

[Mrb1p]

It really depends of your natural build. Some guys will be more effective at 190-200 and others at 210-220... For Kotka, I don't think he necessarily have to take 20 pounds. I think he just needs to reinforce, he could most probably hold his own at 195

Kotka has very broad shoulders, he has he potential for more muscle/weight than most.

 

[jfhabs]

Kotka has very broad shoulders, he has he potential for more muscle/weight than most.

I agree, but the same could be said of Malkin. Some players look bigger than they weight sometimes, that's what I mean't.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

The last thing you want is for added mass to slow him down. I think the 200lbs range is perfect for the guy and will be easily attainable.

 

[Phosphophyllite]

I don't want him to bulk too much. As already discussed, everyone needs to find what works for them the best. Barkov for example dropped from 220 to 210 couple of years ago and it improved his game considerably.

 

[FinPanda]

I am so freakin happy that he might make the team. I don't care if he plays only 9 games, because he has deserved that by playing very well. I am very excited.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Elias Pettersson is the same height and a year older and is reportedly only at 170lbs....

 

[Mrb1p]

Elias Pettersson is the same height and a year older and is reportedly only at 170lbs....

EP has the worst genetics in human history, hes a twig. Bad example.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

EP has the worst genetics in human history, hes a twig. Bad example.

His other worldly hockey skills say otherwise (but I know what you're saying).

 

[Mrb1p]

His other worldly hockey skills say otherwise (but I know what you're saying).

He still struggles with physical play, thats not even close to the way JK plays, he plays a game that has him dominating down low and around the net.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

He still struggles with physical play, thats not even close to the way JK plays, he plays a game that has him dominating down low and around the net.

Pettersson also is an electric athlete on the ice who's impossible to contain ala McDavid...

While Kotka plays much more of a physical game, I don't want him losing any foot speed. 195-205 is a perfect range for him.

 

[sufferer]

Another gem young player for the Fins and an excellent pick by the Habs, as well. I remember being impressed with him before the draft and thought he played a strong and responsible game with quite a bit of skill to boot. Zadina is a nice scorer, but it's best to take a flyer on what could be a linchpin center especially in Montreal's situation.

 

[Foppberg]

It really depends of your natural build. Some guys will be more effective at 190-200 and others at 210-220... For Kotka, I don't think he necessarily have to take 20 pounds. I think he just needs to reinforce, he could most probably hold his own at 195

Yup. I remember after MacKinnon's rookie season he bulked way up, lost a lot of speed, and just looked bulky and awkward out there.

Since then he's slimmed down, worked more on agility/resistance training type stuff and well.. last season speaks for itself. Even in interviews this preseason he looks even more slimmed down.

So yeah, some players just have a weight that they play their particular game the best. I believe something similar happened to Seguin IIRC.

 

[NotProkofievian]

The last thing you want is for added mass to slow him down. I think the 200lbs range is perfect for the guy and will be easily attainable.

Yes, ffs, he's not blocking routes for his RB, he's a hockey player in the position that implicates board battles the least.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Some excellent showings of amazing skill and IQ by this guy. He has tremendous skill, vision, and ability to be in the right place at right time.

I think at worst he'll be a second line center. He is just too good. Definitely needs to bulk up but that's expected with bunch of young 18 year olds.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Colour me impressed. Very impressed!

 

[Field of Dreams]

2nd liner is his probably his floor, he has what it takes to be a 1st liner. lol "decent 2nd liner. " why do some fan base always do this to other teams higher end prospects?

Well if we look at Nolan Patrick, the general consensus was he was a future 2nd liner before the draft. It isnt posters trying to attack other teams prospects, it was just their evaluation. Theres nothing wrong with getting a 2nd line center at your spot. Obviously he could develop into a 1st line center, just like any other prospect.

 

[Mrb1p]

Well if we look at Nolan Patrick, the general consensus was he was a future 2nd liner before the draft. It isnt posters trying to attack other teams prospects, it was just their evaluation. Theres nothing wrong with getting a 2nd line center at your spot. Obviously he could develop into a 1st line center, just like any other prospect.

That was never his potential though, he wasnt drafted because he was the dafe 2C type, he was drafted because he has all the skills you want in a 1C.

A lot of people confuse 1C with elite C and 2C. Kotkaniemi has 1C potential, Im pretty sure its not 85 points, but 70 is a real possibility.