Finnish Prospect Update Thread

[Svedu]

Is Jesper Kotajarvi still a decent prospect

Probably late- or mid round pick.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Finnish 2007 born players reminds of 88-90 born players for Finland. Lousy. 2006 is deep and 2008 born have some at least mentionable prospects.

Westergård could be decent but I mean he's not even near Ivar Stenbergs potential and others.
So Wheelers take isn't anything new, been long known.

It's annoying how dramatic the prospect development is .

First we go from a solid group of players including guys like Selänne to the dark ages where we basically only have Granlund and a bunch of goalies.

Then suddenly we have a golden generation and start overachieving a lot, even winning a lot of gold medals internationally so we get very cocky about it and everybody hates us.

Now player development is taking an absolute nose dive again like "ok that's enough we need everybody to be a 3rd line grinder again, too much skill going on".

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Bumping this thread. I’ve been trying to get a good look at some European prospects because they are easy for me to overlook when making my list.

Are there any prospect from Finland worth a pick in the first two rounds? I haven’t seen much discussion about any Finnish prospects being worth watching at this point but I could just be missing a guy.

 

[FinPanda]

Bumping this thread. I’ve been trying to get a good look at some European prospects because they are easy for me to overlook when making my list.

Are there any prospect from Finland worth a pick in the first two rounds? I haven’t seen much discussion about any Finnish prospects being worth watching at this point but I could just be missing a guy.

The Finnish class sucks so I don't even know who is really worth picking at all in any round

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Bumping this thread. I’ve been trying to get a good look at some European prospects because they are easy for me to overlook when making my list.

Are there any prospect from Finland worth a pick in the first two rounds? I haven’t seen much discussion about any Finnish prospects being worth watching at this point but I could just be missing a guy.

Finnish 2007 NHL draft class sucks asses.
I'm more than surprised if even 3-5 2007 born Finns gets drafted.

Only names who to keep eye on are.
Patrik Kerkola ( goalie )
Jesper Kotajärvi ( dman )
Lasse Boelius ( dman )
Matias Vanhanen ( forward )
Jere Somervuori ( forward )

 

[Erikfromfin]

Bumping this thread. I’ve been trying to get a good look at some European prospects because they are easy for me to overlook when making my list.

Are there any prospect from Finland worth a pick in the first two rounds? I haven’t seen much discussion about any Finnish prospects being worth watching at this point but I could just be missing a guy.

top finns. only boelius maybe 2nd round. rest midrounds
Boelius, Kotajärvi, Westergård, Mensonen, Joki, Orpana, Kerkola

from overagers Nykyri, Rimpinen

 

[Erikfromfin]

Update

2025 Draft

1. Lasse Boelius D
2. Jesper Kotajärvi D
3. Max Westergård W
4. Jasu Mensonen C/W
5. Atte Joki C/W
6. Eetu Orpana C
7. Patrik Kerkola G
8. Julius Saari D
9. Jere Somervuori C/W
10. Niklas Nykyri D (OA)
11. Veeti Ruotsalainen D
12. Petteri Rimpinen G (OA)
13. Matias Vanhanen W
14. Rasmus Kämäräinen W
15. Aapo Katavisto C/W


2026 Draft

1. Juho Piiparinen D
2. Samu Alalauri D
3. Oscar Hemming W
4. Wilmer Kallio W
5. Vilho Vanhatalo W
6. Viljo Kähkönen C/W
7. Jiko Laitinen C
8. Oliver Suvanto C
9. Julius Suominen D
10. Pyry Lammi G
11. Luka Arkko W
12. Janne Karassaari W
13. Jonne Parkkali D
14. Max Laatikainen D
15. Milo Nuutinen W


2027 Draft - 15 Notables

Samuel Heikkinen G
Aaro Fräntilä D
Otto Joutsen D
Roni Kuukasjärvi D
Samuel Suoniemi D
Max Syrjäläinen D
Jere Inkinen C
Olli Kylmälä C
Benjamin Lehtinen C
Miska Liljeberg C
Luca Santala C
Joel Ikonen C/W
Paavo Laine C/W
Leevi Kantola W
Miko Valtatie W


2028 Draft - 5 Notables

Otto Boman D
Veeti Virolainen C
Paavo Fugleberg C/W
Frans Karjalahti W
Valtti Mäenpää W


2029 Draft - 1 Notable

Juho Nyberg W

 

[Erikfromfin]

Been noticing North American fellas seem quite high on Jasper Kuhta. McCagg had him nr1 Finn at 53 and upsidehockey also had him nr1 Finn at 57. Plays on HIFK U20 line with Vanhanen and Somervuori all 3 pretty much equal in scoring. Kuhta has fine size but also late 06 birthday. I don't personally see him that super but would like to hear other peoples oppinions?

 

[Svedu]

Could be Vanhanen carrying the line? He has already played with men and has some decent showings for leijonat as well.

 

[Czechboy]

Update

2025 Draft

1. Lasse Boelius D
2. Jesper Kotajärvi D
3. Max Westergård W
4. Jasu Mensonen C/W
5. Atte Joki C/W
6. Eetu Orpana C
7. Patrik Kerkola G
8. Julius Saari D
9. Jere Somervuori C/W
10. Niklas Nykyri D (OA)
11. Veeti Ruotsalainen D
12. Petteri Rimpinen G (OA)
13. Matias Vanhanen W
14. Rasmus Kämäräinen W
15. Aapo Katavisto C/W


2026 Draft

1. Juho Piiparinen D
2. Samu Alalauri D
3. Oscar Hemming W
4. Wilmer Kallio W
5. Vilho Vanhatalo W
6. Viljo Kähkönen C/W
7. Jiko Laitinen C
8. Oliver Suvanto C
9. Julius Suominen D
10. Pyry Lammi G
11. Luka Arkko W
12. Janne Karassaari W
13. Jonne Parkkali D
14. Max Laatikainen D
15. Milo Nuutinen W


2027 Draft - 15 Notables

Samuel Heikkinen G
Aaro Fräntilä D
Otto Joutsen D
Roni Kuukasjärvi D
Samuel Suoniemi D
Max Syrjäläinen D
Jere Inkinen C
Olli Kylmälä C
Benjamin Lehtinen C
Miska Liljeberg C
Luca Santala C
Joel Ikonen C/W
Paavo Laine C/W
Leevi Kantola W
Miko Valtatie W


2028 Draft - 5 Notables

Otto Boman D
Veeti Virolainen C
Paavo Fugleberg C/W
Frans Karjalahti W
Valtti Mäenpää W


2029 Draft - 1 Notable

Juho Nyberg W

How many potential first rounders for 2025 and 2026?

 

[Svedu]

How many potential first rounders for 2025 and 2026?

Pretty much none. Not a top two rounder even in this upcoming draft.
Kotajärvi third to fifth round is my guess. Rimpinen as well. Boelius 5th round I believe. Westergård 4-5th round as well.
Nykyri late round if drafted. Somervuori perhaps last round if drafted. Same with Orpana and Atte Joki.

2026: Hemming can become a late bloomer, say 2-4 rounder. Kähkönen could end up there as well. Kallio a late rounder perhaps. Add Vanhatalo there as well. Laatikainen last round maybe together with Jiko Laitinen.

Further down the road I have a feeling Luca Santala, Frans Karjalahti and a couple could be 2-4th rounders in the end at least.

 

[SirSamofHouseBennett]

Any update on the progress of these guys?

Otto Salin
Motja Jokinen
Aatos Koivu

 

[Czechboy]

Pretty much none. Not a top two rounder even in this upcoming draft.
Kotajärvi third to fifth round is my guess. Rimpinen as well. Boelius 5th round I believe. Westergård 4-5th round as well.
Nykyri late round if drafted. Somervuori perhaps last round if drafted. Same with Orpana and Atte Joki.

2026: Hemming can become a late bloomer, say 2-4 rounder. Kähkönen could end up there as well. Kallio a late rounder perhaps. Add Vanhatalo there as well. Laatikainen last round maybe together with Jiko Laitinen.

Further down the road I have a feeling Luca Santala, Frans Karjalahti and a couple could be 2-4th rounders in the end at least.

I.find that shocking. What is happening?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Pretty much none. Not a top two rounder even in this upcoming draft.
Kotajärvi third to fifth round is my guess. Rimpinen as well. Boelius 5th round I believe. Westergård 4-5th round as well.
Nykyri late round if drafted. Somervuori perhaps last round if drafted. Same with Orpana and Atte Joki.

2026: Hemming can become a late bloomer, say 2-4 rounder. Kähkönen could end up there as well. Kallio a late rounder perhaps. Add Vanhatalo there as well. Laatikainen last round maybe together with Jiko Laitinen.

Further down the road I have a feeling Luca Santala, Frans Karjalahti and a couple could be 2-4th rounders in the end at least.

Alalauri has a good shot for 2026, as does Hemming. I think Finland will have at least one or two in 2026.

 

[Svedu]

Alalauri has a good shot for 2026, as does Hemming. I think Finland will have at least one or two in 2026.

Missed to mention Alalauri but no, I disagree and believe you are wrong. Unlikely first rounders at this point at least.
Hemming could if everything goes well go late in the first as his brother perhaps, but I still believe it will be second and at worst third or fourth.

 

[Svedu]

I.find that shocking. What is happening?

Regarding the topic and Finland? Yep. I believe Finland are good in a best-on-best now, 3-4 years ago and for a couple of years still. So a bit unlucky that the opportunities to show that the nation probably are amongst top three in those tournaments have been very few if any (none).

Regarding the future? In a couple of years or say 5 I believe Finland and Slovakia will be even for the fifth or sixth position with Finland possible being worse.
Czechs will probably be top3 in 4-5 years and take our spot. Sweden and Russia will be even with the Czechs and also before us.

Why do I believe this then? Well, Finland never produces mentionable D's besides Heiskanen.
The Czechs will have a core just as good as Sweden with perhaps lacking of a future ASP if he pans out.
And the thing with Czechs is that even if their depth hasn't been on Finlands level they seem to get a few very highly touted prospects nowadays.
Besides Necas and Dostal and note that I believe Dostal could be the best goalie out there after Vasilevskiy. They have Pastrnak, Chytil and others.
They will have Jiricek brothers, Badinka, Mrtka, Sapovaliv, Kulich, Sale, Svozil, Jecho, Alscher, Kos, Hamara, Spacek, Galvas, Cihar, Curran, Hradec, Adam Novotny, Benak, Melovsky etc and so on.
And yeah, there is so much more D's there with higher potential than Finnish ones. David Jiricek, Badinka and Mrtka all have top2 potential still. Svozil top4. Spacek could become a sound NHLer as well but the Wild have some tough competition going on right now.

And i understand many will see that Russia and perhaps Sweden are better on paper than Czechia but I still believe they will be the most competitive European team when it matters. Just like I believe Finland could've been these last years and perhaps still a couple of years down the road. But of course Sweden will always be cemented as a top4 nation for me. They seem to be a bit more even than Russia, Finland and Czechia during longer periods.
But right now I think Finland have better top4 centers than both Sweden and Russia. The most important position for me followed by the goalie and D's. Especially if your team plays tight and compact which Finland have been known for under Jalonen at least. Let's see under Pennanen...
Russia have spectacular wingers and stars but I don't believe those on their own without remarkable D's at least will win gold medals. If Michkov doesn't become a center I don't see anyone being on neither Malkins nor Kuznetsovs level as a center. People tend to forget how amazing of a talent and prospect Kuznetsov also was back in the days.
With their wingers they can beat anyone in one game but during a tournament I just don't believe the lack of centers, both in quality but also depth will give them big chances to win three games in a row in playoffs. Especially not against the US and Canada.

 

[Czechboy]

Regarding the topic and Finland? Yep. I believe Finland are good in a best-on-best now, 3-4 years ago and for a couple of years still. So a bit unlucky that the opportunities to show that the nation probably are amongst top three in those tournaments have been very few if any (none).

Regarding the future? In a couple of years or say 5 I believe Finland and Slovakia will be even for the fifth or sixth position with Finland possible being worse.
Czechs will probably be top3 in 4-5 years and take our spot. Sweden and Russia will be even with the Czechs and also before us.

Why do I believe this then? Well, Finland never produces mentionable D's besides Heiskanen.
The Czechs will have a core just as good as Sweden with perhaps lacking of a future ASP if he pans out.
And the thing with Czechs is that even if their depth hasn't been on Finlands level they seem to get a few very highly touted prospects nowadays.
Besides Necas and Dostal and note that I believe Dostal could be the best goalie out there after Vasilevskiy. They have Pastrnak, Chytil and others.
They will have Jiricek brothers, Badinka, Mrtka, Sapovaliv, Kulich, Sale, Svozil, Jecho, Alscher, Kos, Hamara, Spacek, Galvas, Cihar, Curran, Hradec, Adam Novotny, Benak, Melovsky etc and so on.
And yeah, there is so much more D's there with higher potential than Finnish ones. David Jiricek, Badinka and Mrtka all have top2 potential still. Svozil top4. Spacek could become a sound NHLer as well but the Wild have some tough competition going on right now.

And i understand many will see that Russia and perhaps Sweden are better on paper than Czechia but I still believe they will be the most competitive European team when it matters. Just like I believe Finland could've been these last years and perhaps still a couple of years down the road. But of course Sweden will always be cemented as a top4 nation for me. They seem to be a bit more even than Russia, Finland and Czechia during longer periods.
But right now I think Finland have better top4 centers than both Sweden and Russia. The most important position for me followed by the goalie and D's. Especially if your team plays tight and compact which Finland have been known for under Jalonen at least. Let's see under Pennanen...
Russia have spectacular wingers and stars but I don't believe those on their own without remarkable D's at least will win gold medals. If Michkov doesn't become a center I don't see anyone being on neither Malkins nor Kuznetsovs level as a center. People tend to forget how amazing of a talent and prospect Kuznetsov also was back in the days.
With their wingers they can beat anyone in one game but during a tournament I just don't believe the lack of centers, both in quality but also depth will give them big chances to win three games in a row in playoffs. Especially not against the US and Canada.

I don't see us catching Finland anytime soon to be honest. I also don't want to catch Finland.. I'd like the Czechs to join the current 4 nation party (5 if you include Russia). No declining nations, just us improving to a point where we are competitive consistently. Our Euro contingent is strong right now.. strongest I can recall. Our AHL contingent is pretty darn good too. But our NHL contingent is in trouble... the guys we have to build around are very promising for 2026

Hronek and Gudas on D is a nice start for 2026.
Dostal in net is fantastic - I do think he's a top 10 goalie in the world and if he wasn't on a rebuilder more would know about him.
Now we have Necas hitting the Pastrnak 'tier' and that is great. My dream being they are both top 10 scorers by 2026.. similar to the Russian Kaprizov/Kucherov dynamic.
Hertl and Zacha are serviceable 1/2C types. But nothing like a Barkov or McDavid.

Our big thing is our best players keep busting out. Last full timer we have created is Necas 7 years ago! Maybe now Ivan if he can stick in NHL. That's it.

So I hope you're right and you listed all the right prospects and they all should become NHL players as they are top 100 and even first round players.

BUT our Europe contingent is good because of busted first rounders like Zadina, Kaut, Zboril and Hajek (2nd round I believe). Something happens to Czech players between 17 and 20 and I can't explain it. Need Kulich to stick. Need Jiricek to play a game.lol Mrtka looks to be a round 1 lock at this point and that is great!

 

[DoubleGold]

Really worried about our upcoming generations. Seems like this is the golden one, hope we make it count.

 

[pgfan66]

Regarding the topic and Finland? Yep. I believe Finland are good in a best-on-best now, 3-4 years ago and for a couple of years still. So a bit unlucky that the opportunities to show that the nation probably are amongst top three in those tournaments have been very few if any (none).

Regarding the future? In a couple of years or say 5 I believe Finland and Slovakia will be even for the fifth or sixth position with Finland possible being worse.
Czechs will probably be top3 in 4-5 years and take our spot. Sweden and Russia will be even with the Czechs and also before us.

Why do I believe this then? Well, Finland never produces mentionable D's besides Heiskanen.
The Czechs will have a core just as good as Sweden with perhaps lacking of a future ASP if he pans out.
And the thing with Czechs is that even if their depth hasn't been on Finlands level they seem to get a few very highly touted prospects nowadays.
Besides Necas and Dostal and note that I believe Dostal could be the best goalie out there after Vasilevskiy. They have Pastrnak, Chytil and others.
They will have Jiricek brothers, Badinka, Mrtka, Sapovaliv, Kulich, Sale, Svozil, Jecho, Alscher, Kos, Hamara, Spacek, Galvas, Cihar, Curran, Hradec, Adam Novotny, Benak, Melovsky etc and so on.
And yeah, there is so much more D's there with higher potential than Finnish ones. David Jiricek, Badinka and Mrtka all have top2 potential still. Svozil top4. Spacek could become a sound NHLer as well but the Wild have some tough competition going on right now.

And i understand many will see that Russia and perhaps Sweden are better on paper than Czechia but I still believe they will be the most competitive European team when it matters. Just like I believe Finland could've been these last years and perhaps still a couple of years down the road. But of course Sweden will always be cemented as a top4 nation for me. They seem to be a bit more even than Russia, Finland and Czechia during longer periods.
But right now I think Finland have better top4 centers than both Sweden and Russia. The most important position for me followed by the goalie and D's. Especially if your team plays tight and compact which Finland have been known for under Jalonen at least. Let's see under Pennanen...
Russia have spectacular wingers and stars but I don't believe those on their own without remarkable D's at least will win gold medals. If Michkov doesn't become a center I don't see anyone being on neither Malkins nor Kuznetsovs level as a center. People tend to forget how amazing of a talent and prospect Kuznetsov also was back in the days.
With their wingers they can beat anyone in one game but during a tournament I just don't believe the lack of centers, both in quality but also depth will give them big chances to win three games in a row in playoffs. Especially not against the US and Canada.

Honestly, all I see on that list of Czech players is a bunch of prospects and the biggest name just got traded because he couldn’t make it in Columbus.

I don’t disagree that Czechia has been doing great developmental work recently and all those names are promising. But there’s no real reason to believe Czechia will catch up to Sweden and get way ahead of Finland anytime soon.

 

[Svedu]

Honestly, all I see on that list of Czech players is a bunch of prospects and the biggest name just got traded because he couldn’t make it in Columbus.

I don’t disagree that Czechia has been doing great developmental work recently and all those names are promising. But there’s no real reason to believe Czechia will catch up to Sweden and get way ahead of Finland anytime soon.

Yeah, I believe prospects are... The upcoming future? Is that strange?
You are making things a bit too easy with your "argument". He didn't make it in Columbus, so what? Is CBJ a franchise with leaders that you or anyone should trust right now? Laine, Alexander Nylander, Jiricek etc and so on. I wouldn't blindly believe their view or takes on prospects or things in general right now. Again, making it too easy. We have Kiviharju and who else? I believe both Jiriceks are bigger prospects as for now. I believe Mrtka is considered as a bigger prospect than Kiviharju as well. Don't think many GM's would pick Kiviharju over Badinka either.
Also... Right now I'm not sure if the Wild is the best organization for a young D like Kiviharju. He won't get opportunities that easy.
I like Niemelä but I can't insist on convincing myself that he's performing better in the AHL than say... Svozil. I think Svozil would play in the NHL already if he were in a more sound organization. CBJ seems to be the most toxic organization right now, like the old Flyers and Sabres or even worse.

It's not like I'm lying here. As a Flyers fan I want a good prospect no matter origin. I have a good eye for Finnish prospects of course. But when I write I would've loved having Jiricek and probably even Svozil in the organization? Would I pick Jiricek before Niemelä right now? Yes.
All in all, they seem to have 4-5 prospects considered higher than our easily most touted D prospect in Kiviharju.
The only one I'm still having big hopes for is Heinola but the clock has started to tick there as well. Unlucky injuries has had a big part and perhaps a bad fit with the organization as well, but still... He's born 2001 and the one I still believe more in than any other D prospect from Finland. That speaks for itself.

But in the end, I hope you are right of course.

 

[Svedu]

I don't see us catching Finland anytime soon to be honest. I also don't want to catch Finland.. I'd like the Czechs to join the current 4 nation party (5 if you include Russia). No declining nations, just us improving to a point where we are competitive consistently. Our Euro contingent is strong right now.. strongest I can recall. Our AHL contingent is pretty darn good too. But our NHL contingent is in trouble... the guys we have to build around are very promising for 2026

Hronek and Gudas on D is a nice start for 2026.
Dostal in net is fantastic - I do think he's a top 10 goalie in the world and if he wasn't on a rebuilder more would know about him.
Now we have Necas hitting the Pastrnak 'tier' and that is great. My dream being they are both top 10 scorers by 2026.. similar to the Russian Kaprizov/Kucherov dynamic.
Hertl and Zacha are serviceable 1/2C types. But nothing like a Barkov or McDavid.

Our big thing is our best players keep busting out. Last full timer we have created is Necas 7 years ago! Maybe now Ivan if he can stick in NHL. That's it.

So I hope you're right and you listed all the right prospects and they all should become NHL players as they are top 100 and even first round players.

BUT our Europe contingent is good because of busted first rounders like Zadina, Kaut, Zboril and Hajek (2nd round I believe). Something happens to Czech players between 17 and 20 and I can't explain it. Need Kulich to stick. Need Jiricek to play a game.lol Mrtka looks to be a round 1 lock at this point and that is great!

I promise you I never saw anything great in Zadina nor Kaut. Zadina got served in one WJC and scored goals like say, Puistola. Afterwards he got very overhyped and in the end it showed.
I never saw Zboril enough.
Hajek a second round prospect didn't pan out. Rangers isn't the easiest organization either, look at Kakko a second pick and I still think he has some potential. Also, look at Vaakanainen, Jokiharju, Kupari, Vesalainen. Why not even mention Honka brothers. I also don't believe Heimosalmi will become anything special. Skating was his strength and he's right handed. They took a shot at him and Anttoni Honka but I didn't see that top3-4 potential.
Sure Jokiharju plays in the NHL but didn't even get selected now and the Sabres fans seem to hate the guy.
Then we have Laaksonen, Saarijärvi, Salo etc and so on. The list of Finnish D's not making it is on another level. I honestly thought pretty high about Laaksonen and believe he could bounce back in the Stars organization but no. Salos treatment in Islanders was a bit strange perhaps and he didn't get handled that good after performing more than decent in some camps for them.

But yeah you get the point. No matter what, if there really are early round prospects that are "Busting" or even ever had it? It's Finnish prospects as well.
And even if it's very early and I really hope I'm wrong I don't see Kotajärvi nor Boelius end up in the NHL one day. And those together with Westergård will be our first guys in the upcoming draft... It sure isn't that pretty.

Let's see how these 2006 born D's will play in the WJC's this year and the next. Because if they don't stand out next year the future amongst D's for Finland looks just as dark as before.

 

[Czechboy]

I will say.. your last two posts give the future Finnish D a scary outlook.

I promise you I never saw anything great in Zadina nor Kaut. Zadina got served in one WJC and scored goals like say, Puistola. Afterwards he got very overhyped and in the end it showed.
I never saw Zboril enough.
Hajek a second round prospect didn't pan out. Rangers isn't the easiest organization either, look at Kakko a second pick and I still think he has some potential. Also, look at Vaakanainen, Jokiharju, Kupari, Vesalainen I why not even mention Honka brothers. I also don't believe Heimosalmi will becoming anything special. Skating was his strength and he's right handed. They took a shot at him and Anttoni Honka but I didn't see that top3-4 potential.
Sure Jokiharju plays in the NHL but didn't even get selected now and the Sabres fans seem to hate the guy.
Then we have Laaksonen, Saarijärvi, Salo etc and so on. The list of Finnish D's not making it is on another level. I honestly thought pretty high about Laaksonen and believe he could bounce back in the Stars organization but no. Salos treatment in Islanders was I bit strange perhaps and he didn't get handled that good after performing more than decent in some camps for them.

But yeah you get the point. No matter what, if there really are early round prospects that are "Busting" or even ever had it? It's Finnish prospects as well.
And even if it's very early and I really hope I'm wrong I don't see Kotajärvi nor Boelius end up in the NHL one day. And those together with Westergård will be our first guys in the upcoming draft... It sure isn't that pretty.

Let's see how these 2006 born D's will play in the WJC's this year and the next. Because if they don't stand out next year the future amongst D's for Finland looks just as dark as before.

Your last two posts make me feel as good as I ever have about future Czech D in NHL lol. Finn D prospects seem like Czech ones and can't get to the finish line.

Had to laugh because kvirojarhu, Spacek and jiricek are all in the same organization blocking each other lol

I'd say for Czechs and Finn's.. the gap is still very real.

Goalies are even. I prefer mine and you should prefer yours but it's close.

I'd put Finland ahead on C's quite comfortably. We don't have a barkov


Wings.. maybe another close one. Necas and pasta doing good things but we thin out fast.

D you have NHL D and risto would be our 2nd or 3rd best D. We have nothing like a hesikanen.

It sucks when you think about guys like Honka, JP or juolevi not becoming top end NHL players. Or the Laine saga. It is some shitty bounces.

I do think Finn's won't drop off anytime soon despite some poor age groups. Just too deep and too good.

You'll all feel better after winning the 4 nations cup! You are my picks to win.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I.find that shocking. What is happening?

Finnish hockey association became cocky and arrogant.
Those brain-dead bozos really thought we ( Finland ) will win medals
every year and took it a ''guarantee'' also hiring joke coaches like Lämsä, Mikkola,
Kotkaniemi, Kauppinen, Merikivi to our junior national teams was the last kiss of death.

That's exactly what happend.

 

[Czechboy]

Finnish hockey association became cocky and arrogant.
Those brain-dead bozos really thought we ( Finland ) we win medals
every year and took it a ''guarantee'' also hiring joke coaches like Lämsä, Mikkola,
Kotkaniemi, Kauppinen, Merikivi to our junior national teams was the last kiss of death.

That's exactly what happend.

Pretty much the Czech blueprint from 2005 onwards. I can relate.

I will say, we are both small nations and competing against much bigger populations so it is hard to be on top consistently. Eg. a good Czech draft is 10 kids and hope 2 stick. A bad Canada year is 50 drafted and 10 make the NHL.lol

 

[Petes2424]

Finnish hockey association became cocky and arrogant.
Those brain-dead bozos really thought we ( Finland ) we win medals
every year and took it a ''guarantee'' also hiring joke coaches like Lämsä, Mikkola,
Kotkaniemi, Kauppinen, Merikivi to our junior national teams was the last kiss of death.

That's exactly what happend.

There’s plenty of truth to this. It’s crazy because 25-30 years ago, Russia and Finland were all about skill development.

Without getting into the how and why, specifics of how it’s all happened, there was a mass exodus of Russian Hockey coaches to America (mostly) in the mid 1990s, who were committed to individual skill development. That led to the US, Canada and then Sweden, getting away from teaching systems, and going all-in with individual skill development, and basically 1 on 1 hockey.

The vacuum created in Russia, allowed those who believed in “systems win hockey tournaments”, basically took over Russian Minor Hockey for 15-20 years. It’s not that they weren’t developing skills, it’s just the systems became just as, or even more important.. In recent years, Russia is reverting back to more individual skill development.

Finland’s Minor Hockey, from what I’ve always been told through the years, was being run by coaches who always followed what the Russians were doing, and they followed suit.

Finland unlike Russia now, seems as committed as ever, to developing system hockey, at the minor levels. Likely because those in charge feel it’s their best chance to win International Tournaments…. and it might be. In fact, it probably is.

So as fans, and even scouts, we’re not necessarily seeing how skilled some of these kids are, until after they become pro players, are drafted in the NHL, etc, etc. Take a kid like Kiiskinen for example. On no planet should’ve he been a 3rd round pick. His biggest concern going into the 23’ draft? Consistency. That’s the number one reason we hear for many Finnish players. 100% because these kids are playing in systems as much as they do. So as a scout, you can watch an entire game and not see much from any one specific player. So kids get labeled as inconsistent, and some scouts will even start speculating to a physical attribute that could explain the inconsistency we see. Labels that will actually hurt a kid’s draft status, etc.

As for this year’s draft, it’s almost the time of year, we start seeing players making moves up the rankings. It’s not a great year, but we could see 2-3 kids move up the rankings if teams ignore the consistency aspect of things, and attribute it to the systems kids are forced to play.

For scouts, it’s hard though, because we just don’t get enough of some of the Finnish kids playing more 1 on 1 hockey. Guaranteed there’s NHL players in this draft though.