C/W Kristian Tanus - Tappara, Liiga (2018 undrafted)

[Killerjas]

Kristian Tanus, almost 21 years old, is a triple overager in his final draft year. A small but skilled forward, Kristian had an excellent season playing for Tappara in the Finnish Liiga, posting 33 points in 54 games.

Don't think he will get drafted, but this is a player that could get signed by a NHL teams in the next couple of years.

Kristian Tanus at eliteprospects.com

 

[Killerjas]

Last draft was his final year of being drafted. Hope he gets a camp invite, he is very skilled.

 

[S1N4TR4]

prime example of how size primarily does matter to NHL scouts.

looking at his stats, would’ve thought he’d at least make the trek to NA by now unless he doesn’t want to

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

prime example of how size primarily does matter to NHL scouts.

looking at his stats, would’ve thought he’d at least make the trek to NA by now unless he doesn’t want to

He’s 24 and this is his first season at 1PPG in Liiga, which isn’t even a top 5 hockey league in the world. Barely top 10, honestly. And he’s 5’7. He would’ve needed to be 1PPG at like 21 to be more of a serious consideration for NHL teams.

 

[S1N4TR4]

He’s 24 and this is his first season at 1PPG in Liiga, which isn’t even a top 5 hockey league in the world. Barely top 10, honestly. And he’s 5’7. He would’ve needed to be 1PPG at like 21 to be more of a serious consideration for NHL teams.

Liiga is barely a top 10 league in the world? huh lol. name me 7 other leagues that are better

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Liiga is barely a top 10 league in the world? huh lol. name me 7 other leagues that are better

NHL, KHL, SHL, AHL, NLA all clearly better.

Extraliga, DEL, ECHL, and Liiga probably the next four in some order.

 

[S1N4TR4]

NLA better than Liiga? you lost me here

 

[FinPanda]

NLA better than Liiga? you lost me here

Top teams in NLA are better than best Liiga teams. I'd say top Liiga teams are better than the worst NLA teams. Money is the main reason (alongside with no europeans going to KHL now) so they get the best European players.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

NLA better than Liiga? you lost me here

Not really much debate about that. One look at the recent Finland roster from the Karjala Cup and the majority of the players were playing in either Sweden or the NLA.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Curious about his game from those who have seen him play.

Am assuming he was injured part of last year but he has seemed to build off last year's playoff run.

After three years with Tappara would think that if a team was going to give him a shot in either North America or Sweden/Switzerland it would have been this year.

 

[Albatros]

If he's ppg in Liiga for a full season I'm sure he could find a contract in Switzerland. Highly skilled and good decisions, but skating a bit so-so and obviously not physical. Very undersized and was born clubfooted, so really making the most of what he's got as is. Therefore absolutely zero NHL upside.

 

[SoundAndFury]

He is hitting his prime and therefore outgrowing the Liiga but his career ceiling is probably a few seasons for a poorer Swiss team (like Langnau or Ambri) or even the Czech league that has become a more popular destination for the players who price themselves out of Finland but aren't really good enough to warrant a contract in a much bigger league recently. Like Kangasniemi or Junttila.

 

[Albatros]

Yeah, in Czechia skating won't really be much of a factor if you've already made it in Liiga. In Switzerland it's often coast-to-coast hockey, but the more open and less physical play should suit him well enough if only he can keep up.