C/W Ville Koivunen - Kärpät, FIN (2021, 51st, CAR, traded to PIT)
- Thread starter Mikey09
- Start date
Steve Kournianos
@thedraftanalyst
Yes he is as good as his stats. 200-foot left winger and top liner. Excellent awareness and effort. Speed is average but balance and agility compensate for it. Perfect compliment to a speedster like Tuomaala.
So far so good based on WJC stats, im starting to be quite a fan of him heading to draft, 4+5 in 5 games, 2nd in points just behind Salminen, can be a huuuge steal at 2nd/3rd round!
Im just curios as he didnt play even one single pro hockey yet, is there any particular reason for it like commiting to NCAA?
Im just curios as he didnt play even one single pro hockey yet, is there any particular reason for it like commiting to NCAA?
thethinglonger
Castron & Crew
Are you familiar with something such as the COVID pandemic going on, quarantine rules and so on? Most teams don't bounce players between u-20s and Liiga teams(I think TPS had some special circumstances? IIRC).
The reason is Kärpät. We have so many talents every year that even all the best don't get a shot in Liiga.
Are there any news for a coming season? Going to play at least in Mestis is a must, he is already level above in juniors
Haven't seen any news yet. If he goes early in draft, maybe he will play in North America next season.
If he makes a contract with Kärpät, he will get a shot in next autumn's exhibition games but will most likely play Mestis in Kokkolan Hermes. Juniors are out of question.
LastWordArmy
Registered User
Finland has produced a number of strong prospects for this year’s NHL Draft. Playing in the Karpat system, versatile winger Ville Koivunen continues that run. He played in the Finnish Under-20 league this past season and was a dominant offensive force. Koivunen had 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 38 games in the COVID interrupted season. He was named the league’s Rookie of the Year as well as taking a spot on the Second All-Star Team. He also picked up four assists in five playoff games. Koivunen impressed while playing for Finland at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven tournament games.
In 2019-20 Koivunen dominated the Finnish Under-18 league. He scored 27 goals and 71 points in 37 games. Koivunen led the league in both goals and points. He was named League MVP as well as winning the award for Best Forward. Koivunen was also awarded a spot on the league’s First All-Star Team. He also played at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Koivunen picked up just two assists in five games. He is expected to play for Karpat in the Liiga next year.
2021 NHL Draft #70: Ville Koivunen Scouting Report
In 2019-20 Koivunen dominated the Finnish Under-18 league. He scored 27 goals and 71 points in 37 games. Koivunen led the league in both goals and points. He was named League MVP as well as winning the award for Best Forward. Koivunen was also awarded a spot on the league’s First All-Star Team. He also played at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Koivunen picked up just two assists in five games. He is expected to play for Karpat in the Liiga next year.
2021 NHL Draft #70: Ville Koivunen Scouting Report
rocketdan9
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2009
- 20,415
- 13,210
This dude and Pastujov are not fast skaters
But high level offensive instincts/stickhandling
mattihp
Registered User
Yeah. The Rätys should have bolted for another team too. Many prospects love the Kärpät support system with very competent coaches throughout all of the teams though. But some of these prospects will look elsewhere if they can't get playing time.
At least they got rid of useless forwards like Sailio, Karvinen, Jokinen, Kristof and Metsävainio.
Mikkola coming in for Manner as coach should help the prospects get more icetime as well. Seems like he actually played the best players in the the games he coached last year, not the players with the biggest paycheck like Manner did.
Leijonat - Kaksi joukkueellista Nuoria Leijonia leireilee Vierumäellä heinäkuussa – Nämä U20- ja U19-pelaajat kutsuttiin mukaan
From the current U20 national team 11/28 are former or current Kärpät players, they are already losing ton of players to other teams, I don't see why all the top guys should leave as well.
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mattihp
Registered User
Yeah, player selections have been very predictable with Manner. Hopefully Mikkola will bring some new blood there.
mattihp
Registered User
MMC
Global Moderator
BusQuets
Registered User
- Jul 16, 2010
- 12,039
- 2,989
Very good pick. Best Finn in the draft. Thought he would have risen to 1st round.
Bet on guys with hockey sense like this who compete. Love the pick
MatthewFlames
Registered User
karhukissa
Registered User
- Apr 2, 2019
- 1,869
- 2,586
Carolina has a good track record with 2nd round picks playing for Kärpät
Kaako Kappo
Kaako Kappo
Yeah uh like... one player that has turned out to be an NHL regular?Carolina has a good track record with 2nd round picks playing for Kärpät
karhukissa
Registered User
- Apr 2, 2019
- 1,869
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Pretty modest way to talk about Sebastian Aho. Kuokkanen isn't bad player either, although he plays for NJD now. Quality over quantity!
rocketdan9
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2009
- 20,415
- 13,210
I thought it was Tuomaala by a hair. Especially due to skating
