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

[lawrence]

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.

Here’s the thing though, nobody in their right mind after sawing him play was calling him a “he will be a decent 2nd liner” after he picked it up. He was already playing like a 2nd liner. It’s so obvious what some fans are really trying to do.

 

[montreal]

His skating looks just fine right now.

don't agree.

 

[ottawa]

20 centers hit 70 last year and about 6,7 had that PPG page in less games. I think Kotkaniemi could become a 70-85 point player if well surrounded on this current core, no matter how he plays he will top out at 60

If Kotkaniemi can become a defensive 60 point player I'd be thrilled. I think his potential is more, but it'll depend a lot on how many steps forward he takes this year.

I think every habs fan is extremely happy with him so far though, he's going to be one of the very very few bright spots for us regardless of what league he plays in. Hopefully he's back in Finland though.

 

[ottawa]

Elias Pettersson's body is worrying, dude looks straight up malnourished. Kotkaniemi is just a normal, tall, 18 yo. Kids with bodies like Matthews and MacKinnon aren't the norm.

Also like someone else mentioned earlier, Mackinnon gained a lot of muscle mass during his sophomore year and it affected his game negatively. If people absolutely need to worry about something for Kotka they should worry about his skating.

I don't think we need to worry about his skating just yet. It's not great but it's not bad either, I think it's just fine. I imagine he's smart enough to realize he needs to work on it some more. The best place to do that is in Finland since you have more off-ice training time there.

 

[Sensinitis]

do people not get the expression "if people absolutely need to..." ??? I mean he bolded the word "absolutely" for us, guess he should've bolded the "if" too...???

 

[lawrence]

Elias Pettersson's body is worrying, dude looks straight up malnourished.

but it's not holding him back. but yes your right, when he's just wearing a T Shirt he does look skinny.

 

[Balthazar]

but it's not holding him back. but yes your right, when he's just wearing a T Shirt he does look skinny.

It all comes down to the amount of wear and tear a body like that can take. If he's that good (and I think he is) he'll get abused and his body type makes him vulnerable. Imagine him next to Byfuglien or Benn.

I don't think Kotkaniemi is in the same boat. We'll see.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

The NHL is a competitive league and IMO teams should ice their best roster. If Kotkaniemi is part of that, he should make the Habs. Sean Monahan made a terrible Flames team as an 18 year old and it didn't stunt his growth at all.

 

[HankyZetts]

I don't think we need to worry about his skating just yet. It's not great but it's not bad either, I think it's just fine. I imagine he's smart enough to realize he needs to work on it some more. The best place to do that is in Finland since you have more off-ice training time there.

Best place to improve your skating(or any skill really) is in the place that pits you against the best skaters, if you can handle it(isn't demoralizing).

 

[kelsier]

Barkov had mono before his -d1 U18 WC so he had pretty long break without playing a game before that. He wasn’t good at WJC’s because he racked most of his points in relegation round. Whole team Finland was total mess.

Kotkaniemi was really sheltered during his draft year in liiga. He played limited role and had much more flaws in his game. He was forcing bad plays instead of playing more effective and safe game. He looked like junior player trying to play against men. Barkov in the other hand was complete package. Best and most important player on his team. He played every single key situation and was their go to guy when they needed to kill penalty, protect lead in end of the game or goal when they were trailing. He did it even against NHL lockout players. I remember him outplaying prime Mikko Koivu who tried hard.

Kotkaniemi in my eyes have been pretty raw player. I was pretty suprised him to be picked in the top 3. I have been pretty low on him all year. Right now he has proved me wrong and i think he can be really good to star player in NHL. #1 C who can play in all situations and his consistency have been better. He seems to be quick at learning and adapting.

I still think Barkov is totally different level of talent because i believe that guy can hit 90 points and selke trophy at his prime. Gap between those two was massive just looking at their draft years but right now when i have watched Kotkaniemi grow so much even during single games i can see him being top 30 C in the NHL if he developes well. Barkov in the other hand can hit top 5 if not top 3 but we can safely say atleast top 10. So he is still behind Barkov but gap isn’t massive anymore.

This sums it up pretty well. Barkov is the most complete prospect ever coming out of the country (Kakko is likely to take over that torch after 18-19 is over and done with). I remember watching him in his first year in the NHL and at times he could just take over the game without practically much any help whatsoever from his team and have extremely dominant shifts. Generally speaking, I don't get how little recognition he gets from the league even as we speak. A young center who plays Selke level defence and is capable of producing with PPG pace? Yeah, I'd take McDavid over him np, but for the rest of the centers (age included into equation)? Dunno, I'd really have to think long and hard who I'd rank ahead of him moving forward.

Of course I'm thrilled about Kotkaniemi as I never expected him to even get this far this fast, but I'd advice caution. It's going to get whole a lot harder when the real games begin, if he's still in the picture (I would presume he would be).

 

[f1nn]

Who do u expect to challenge him next year? Kakko? Maybe. Katkoniemi? Doubtful. Zadina/Q.Hughes? Doubtful. I dont see many elite prospects who will turn rookie next season.

If you had said you feel he is the favorite then sure, fair enough, but there is two whole seasons to be played between now and when that Calder is handed out and especially for young prospects that is a hell of a long time. That is why I think calling anyone even close to a lock at this point is silly

 

[DoubleGold]

This sums it up pretty well. Barkov is the most complete prospect ever coming out of the country (Kakko is likely to take over that torch after 18-19 is over and done with). I remember watching him in his first year in the NHL and at times he could just take over the game without practically much any help whatsoever from his team and have extremely dominant shifts. Generally speaking, I don't get how little recognition he gets from the league even as we speak. A young center who plays Selke level defence and is capable of producing with PPG pace? Yeah, I'd take McDavid over him np, but for the rest of the centers (age included into equation)? Dunno, I'd really have to think long and hard who I'd rank ahead of him moving forward.

Of course I'm thrilled about Kotkaniemi as I never expected him to even get this far this fast, but I'd advice caution. It's going to get whole a lot harder when the real games begin, if he's still in the picture (I would presume he would be).

You have to admit that he has taken giant leaps in his development already though. His hockey IQ seems extremely good, Aho level. You really couldn't ask for a better sign and I had no idea that he had this much potential. Barkov is a generational player, but it's refreshing to see actual top 6 tier C prospects coming from Finland. Up till now it's only been Barkov.

 

[Mrb1p]

You have to admit that he has taken giant leaps in his development already though. His hockey IQ seems extremely good, Aho level. You really couldn't ask for a better sign and I had no idea that he had this much potential. Barkov is a generational player, but it's refreshing to see actual top 6 tier C prospects coming from Finland. Up till now it's only been Barkov.

Calm down with the generational tag.

 

[DoubleGold]

Calm down with the generational tag.

I meant generational in Finland.

 

[Agalloch]

Calm down with the generational tag.

Kotkaniemi will be a Monahan type player.

 

[Mrb1p]

Kotkaniemi will be a Monahan type player.

Kotkaniemi is an immensely better player than Mona-doesnothing

 

[Mrb1p]

I meant generational in Finland.

Im generational in my beer league

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Kotkaniemi will be Kotkaniemi. End of the story.

 

[bert]

Kotkaniemi is an immensely better player than Mona-doesnothing

Yikes.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yikes.

Sorry, I prefer the play driver type rather than the passenger that plays okay every where and rides Johnny Hockey.

 

[Rebels57]

Kotkaniemi is an immensely better player than Mona-doesnothing

Maybe we should wait until he has a 30-30 season like Monahan has had?

 

[bert]

Sorry, I prefer the play driver type rather than the passenger that plays okay every where and rides Johnny Hockey.

Ok bud.

 

[bert]

Maybe we should wait until he has a 30-30 season like Monahan has had?

4 straight seasons roughly at that pace too. Playing top line minutes against first line centermen in the West while only sustaining one injury. Yeah what a 'does nothing' player lol.

 

[Mrb1p]

4 straight seasons roughly at that pace too. Playing top line minutes against first line centermen in the West while only sustaining one injury. Yeah what a 'does nothing' player lol.

Do you deny that hes not a play driver?

 

[bert]

Do you deny that hes not a play driver?

Umm, i guess it depends on what your description of play driver is. There is only one puck, he has an uncanny ability to be in the right places at the right times which is a skill in itself. The puck follows him around the ice, he can be very elusive and has the ability to finish and set up his teamates. He isnt a guy that is going to stick handle through the other team on a regular basis but that doesnt mean he cant be effective. I do deny that he 'does nothing'. Staying healthy is a very important skill, especially if the player plays hard minutes and can make room for his linemates.