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

[Richard Bolton]

kotkaniemi was on a line with Drouin and Armia, while Domi was on a line with Byron and Lehkonen today

Seems like he will start the reg season with Drouin

I'd hope so. Their chemistry was great!

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Apparently Kotkaniemi will be the first athlete born in the year 2000s to play in one of the 4 major sports.

J2K

 

[GHJimmy]

I don't care if he plays this season with 20-30-40 points at the end but long term he is a potential 60 pt centre with better elite team mates! I'm happy for this kid and I hope him the best career ahead of him!
Atleast we got one centre after ages an actual legit centre

 

[DFAC]

Yeah, he will be the first player born in the 21st century to play in the NHL.

Not sure if it has been talked about here but if Kotkaniemi plays the first Habs' game on Wednesday, he will become the first player born in 2000's to play in any of the North American Big 4 leagues.

Yeah okay, this just makes me feel super old. And I was born in the early 90s

 

[Richierich61]

I don't care if he plays this season with 20-30-40 points at the end but long term he is a potential 60 pt centre with better elite team mates! I'm happy for this kid and I hope him the best career ahead of him!
Atleast we got one centre after ages an actual legit centre

As much as I hate the habs, he definitely looks like he's gonna be something special. Saying that, he'll be traded before he can reach his potential lol

 

[TT1]

Imo Barkov is already a top 5 C in the NHL (depends on who you ask of course) at his age.. so comparing Kotkaniemi's potential to him is a bit premature.

 

[Tatar Shots]

Apparently Kotkaniemi will be the first athlete born in the year 2000s to play in one of the 4 major sports.

J2K

Makes sense that it would be a hockey player. The other leagues would not allow an 18 year old to play.

 

[Nauzhror]

I doubt he ever becomes that good, but then again I doubt Zadina scores 40. The odds are similar on Kotkaniemi being a Kopitar like player and Zadina scoring forty. And I know which one I want if it pans out.

I genuinely don't see why anyone would doubt Zadina scores 40.

If you meant this year, sure, okay, I agree. But I'm interpreting your comment to mean you believe he never hits 40 goals at any point in his career, and that seems bizarre to me.

8 players scored 40 goals last season:

Ovechkin, Laine, Karlsson, Malkin, Staal, McDavid, Seguin, Lee.

Zadina got 44 goals in the QMJHL last season. He was 17 at the start of the season.

Ovechkin got 8 goals in 40 games in Russia at the same age. Ovechkin didn't touch the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 52 goals in his rookie season. Hard to know what he'd have gotten in the QMJHL at age 17, but I doubt it'd have been higher than 44 goals if he only managed 8 in RSL.

Laine got 17 goals in Liiga as a 17 year old. 36 as a rookie in the NHL. He was 18 as a rookie though, so this upcoming season for him is actually the same age as Ovechkin's rookie year.

Karlsson at age 17 got 20 goals in 38 games in J20. He didn't even make it to the AHL till age 21, and the NHL till age 22. He also didn't get over 10 goals per season his first three years in the NHL.

Malkin got 3 goals in 34 games at age 17 in the RSL. He didn't enter the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 33 goals in his rookie season.

Staal got 39 goals in the OHL at age 17. He then got 11 goals in the NHL as a rookie, before being sent down to the AHL for his sophomore year. He was 20 when he finally realized his goal-scoring potential and had 45 goals in his third year or professional play - a number has never beat since.

McDavid had 44 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Seguin got 48 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Lee was still in the AHL at age 24.

The only players played in the same tier of league as Zadina at the same age were McDavid, Seguin, and Staal, Zadina outperformed Staal, tied McDavid, and was slightly behind Seguin.

Many of the others were clearly much worse than Zadina at a similar age. Zadina will almost definitely start this year in the AHL, but he'd have to play the next 6 years in the AHL to be on the same developmental pace as Lee, the next 4 to pace Karlsson.

I personally expect Zadina starts this season in the AHL, but gets called up at some point and finishes the season in the NHL and never touches the AHL again once called up, some people might consider that optimistic, but I think very few people will disagree with me that he will be a NHL regular at a younger age than most of the people mentioned above were.

McDavid is the only person among last years 40 goal scorers to have played in the NHL at age 18. I see no evidence that Zadina is a dud, or should be expected to never hit 40 goals. He's young, players his age do not typically play in the NHL, not even future 40-goal scorers.

 

[Mrb1p]

I genuinely don't see why anyone would doubt Zadina scores 40.

If you meant this year, sure, okay, I agree. But I'm interpreting your comment to mean you believe he never hits 40 goals at any point in his career, and that seems bizarre to me.

8 players scored 40 goals last season:

Ovechkin, Laine, Karlsson, Malkin, Staal, McDavid, Seguin, Lee.

Zadina got 44 goals in the QMJHL last season. He was 17 at the start of the season.

Ovechkin got 8 goals in 40 games in Russia at the same age. Ovechkin didn't touch the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 52 goals in his rookie season. Hard to know what he'd have gotten in the QMJHL at age 17, but I doubt it'd have been higher than 44 goals if he only managed 8 in RSL.

Laine got 17 goals in Liiga as a 17 year old. 36 as a rookie in the NHL. He was 18 as a rookie though, so this upcoming season for him is actually the same age as Ovechkin's rookie year.

Karlsson at age 17 got 20 goals in 38 games in J20. He didn't even make it to the AHL till age 21, and the NHL till age 22. He also didn't get over 10 goals per season his first three years in the NHL.

Malkin got 3 goals in 34 games at age 17 in the RSL. He didn't enter the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 33 goals in his rookie season.

Staal got 39 goals in the OHL at age 17. He then got 11 goals in the NHL as a rookie, before being sent down to the AHL for his sophomore year. He was 20 when he finally realized his goal-scoring potential and had 45 goals in his third year or professional play - a number has never beat since.

McDavid had 44 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Seguin got 48 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Lee was still in the AHL at age 24.

The only players played in the same tier of league as Zadina at the same age were McDavid, Seguin, and Staal, Zadina outperformed Staal, tied McDavid, and was slightly behind Seguin.

Many of the others were clearly much worse than Zadina at a similar age. Zadina will almost definitely start this year in the AHL, but he'd have to play the next 6 years in the AHL to be on the same developmental pace as Lee, the next 4 to pace Karlsson.

I personally expect Zadina starts this season in the AHL, but gets called up at some point and finishes the season in the NHL and never touches the AHL again once called up, some people might consider that optimistic, but I think very few people will disagree with me that he will be a NHL regular at a younger age than most of the people mentioned above were.

McDavid is the only person among last years 40 goal scorers to have played in the NHL at age 18. I see no evidence that Zadina is a dud, or should be expected to never hit 40 goals. He's young, players his age do not typically play in the NHL, not even future 40-goal scorers.

Hitting 40 goals is not a common occurence, it as common as someone being a 75 points C. Theres no further comments.

Also those comparison are really over simplified and dumb.

Also this is the Kotkaniemi thread.

 

[HOPE]

I genuinely don't see why anyone would doubt Zadina scores 40.

If you meant this year, sure, okay, I agree. But I'm interpreting your comment to mean you believe he never hits 40 goals at any point in his career, and that seems bizarre to me.

8 players scored 40 goals last season:

Ovechkin, Laine, Karlsson, Malkin, Staal, McDavid, Seguin, Lee.

Zadina got 44 goals in the QMJHL last season. He was 17 at the start of the season.

Ovechkin got 8 goals in 40 games in Russia at the same age. Ovechkin didn't touch the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 52 goals in his rookie season. Hard to know what he'd have gotten in the QMJHL at age 17, but I doubt it'd have been higher than 44 goals if he only managed 8 in RSL.

Laine got 17 goals in Liiga as a 17 year old. 36 as a rookie in the NHL. He was 18 as a rookie though, so this upcoming season for him is actually the same age as Ovechkin's rookie year.

Karlsson at age 17 got 20 goals in 38 games in J20. He didn't even make it to the AHL till age 21, and the NHL till age 22. He also didn't get over 10 goals per season his first three years in the NHL.

Malkin got 3 goals in 34 games at age 17 in the RSL. He didn't enter the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 33 goals in his rookie season.

Staal got 39 goals in the OHL at age 17. He then got 11 goals in the NHL as a rookie, before being sent down to the AHL for his sophomore year. He was 20 when he finally realized his goal-scoring potential and had 45 goals in his third year or professional play - a number has never beat since.

McDavid had 44 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Seguin got 48 goals in the OHL at age 17.

Lee was still in the AHL at age 24.

The only players played in the same tier of league as Zadina at the same age were McDavid, Seguin, and Staal, Zadina outperformed Staal, tied McDavid, and was slightly behind Seguin.

Many of the others were clearly much worse than Zadina at a similar age. Zadina will almost definitely start this year in the AHL, but he'd have to play the next 6 years in the AHL to be on the same developmental pace as Lee, the next 4 to pace Karlsson.

I personally expect Zadina starts this season in the AHL, but gets called up at some point and finishes the season in the NHL and never touches the AHL again once called up, some people might consider that optimistic, but I think very few people will disagree with me that he will be a NHL regular at a younger age than most of the people mentioned above were.

McDavid is the only person among last years 40 goal scorers to have played in the NHL at age 18. I see no evidence that Zadina is a dud, or should be expected to never hit 40 goals. He's young, players his age do not typically play in the NHL, not even future 40-goal scorers.

Lol that whole post is cute but pretty ironic how you compare him with these people and leagues but ignore the fact that zadina is a overager in the 2018 draft and prior his lhjmq season he played 25 games with big boys in the czech league and posted 2 points.

 

[brunosevigny]

Kotka, Gallagher and Reilly to be heathy scratches for tonight game..... I guess he is a lock to start the season with the big club!

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Let the J2K era begin!

 

[ookhaab]

Ovechkin got 8 goals in 40 games in Russia at the same age. Ovechkin didn't touch the NHL till age 20, at which point he got 52 goals in his rookie season. Hard to know what he'd have gotten in the QMJHL at age 17, but I doubt it'd have been higher than 44 goals if he only managed 8 in RSL.

Imagine saying the greatest goalscorer ever, who was picked 1st overall and was built like truck wouldnt score 44g in junior league.

 

[Colezuki]

Confirmed by Julien as starting the season in Montreal

 

[1972]

From what I’ve seen, Zadina should have never even been in the same tier as this kid. He’s a great talent.

 

[EveryDay]

From what I’ve seen, Zadina should have never even been in the same tier as this kid. He’s a great talent.

The hell are you saying???? everybody know this guy was only drafted by MTL because he's a center.... aka THE REACH!

 

[HankyZetts]

can't say i agree, he needs to work on his technique, that should be done in practice with a skating coach. In games as an 18 year in the NHL I don't think he would be thinking of that instead he would be trying not to make mistakes or to win games.

The best skating coaches are in the NHL. The best skaters, who's technique one would ideally emulate, are in the NHL. Practicing and playing with and against the best, night in and night out, is far and away the most efficient way to increase your ability to the level of proficiency.. If you can handle it!

 

[CupInSIX]

Confirmed by Julien as starting the season in Montreal

I think it's a mistake to keep him past 9 games. If he's the real deal, they'll be paying him 7m in just 3 years.

 

[le_sean]

I think it's a mistake to keep him past 9 games. If he's the real deal, they'll be paying him 7m in just 3 years.

Who cares? I’d pay 12m for a real 1C.

 

[PKWeber]

From what I’ve seen, Zadina should have never even been in the same tier as this kid. He’s a great talent.

Red Wing fans have been thanking Montreal for not taking Zadina tho

 

[montreal]

The best skating coaches are in the NHL. The best skaters, who's technique one would ideally emulate, are in the NHL. Practicing and playing with and against the best, night in and night out, is far and away the most efficient way to increase your ability to the level of proficiency.. If you can handle it!

are they? Do you know for sure the best skating coaches are in the NHL? Why did McCarron have to hire one then?

 

[HankyZetts]

are they? Do you know for sure the best skating coaches are in the NHL? Why did McCarron have to hire one then?

Relative to the Finnish elite league? I'd guess so?

It is not uncommon for professional athletes to hire personal trainers on top of the training provided by their team. Mccarron needed all kinds of extra work to become just a below average NHL skater. And I mean all kinds of extra work. Today he is a decent skater.

Kotkaniemi otoh, can already skate well, he just needs to perfect his technique. If you don't think the NHL, or more accurately, the Montreal Canadiens have access to more/better resources for him to achieve this goal than his team in Pori does, then I don't know what to make of it.. Honestly.

 

[montreal]

Relative to the Finnish elite league? I'd guess so?

It is not uncommon for professional athletes to hire personal trainers on top of the training provided by their team. Mccarron needed all kinds of extra work to become just a below average NHL skater. And I mean all kinds of extra work. Today he is a decent skater.

Kotkaniemi otoh, can already skate well, he just needs to perfect his technique. If you don't think the NHL, or more accurately, the Montreal Canadiens have access to more/better resources for him to achieve this goal than his team in Pori does, then I don't know what to make of it.. Honestly.

how do you know? Who is the Habs skating coach and who are some of the skating coaches in Liiga?

If McCarron was getting the best skating coaches, he wouldn't need to hire one on his own and you say he's a below average skater so then what's that say for the job the best skating coaches are doing? Not that I agree, his skating is not that bad. He's slower then he needs to be and needs to improve his lower body strength to improve his balance.

Kotka does not skate well, his technique is painful to watch. If the Habs have better resources why didn't it work for McCarron for all these years until he hired someone on his own cause he looked much quicker this year so far then any other year.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

So kotkaniemi made the nhl and Zadina did not
I dont think anyone predicted this

 

[Artorius Horus T]

So kotkaniemi made the nhl and Zadina did not
I dont think anyone predicted this

I still remember that woman's face.
- she the least