G Kim Saarinen - HPK, FIN-U20 (2024, 88th, SEA)

[austin63867]

Can't find a thread for Saarinen, which is surprising unless my search feature is bugging.

Saarinen has recently taken over as my Top Goalie prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft, passing fellow Finn Eemil Vinni in a close battle for top spot in an admittedly weak draft year for netminders, at least compared to last year.

Saarinen, 6'4, is the top rated European goalie by NHL Central Scouting, right above Vinni at #2. What has made made now give Saarinen the nod is his continued maturity and capability to showcase himself in the pros, playing well in 2 Liiga games for HPK. It's still a close race, and I don't think anyone will knock Saarinen/Vinni from 1/2 for me, Saarinen has closed the gap recently.

Saarinen has done well in utilizing his size to be a highly efficient netminder while at the same having decent flexibility and puck tracking capabilities. He's a consistent and highly aware goalie with starting potential. Good chance hes the first goalie off the board by mid-late R2, early R3 at worst.

Kim Saarinen - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Kim Saarinen, 2006-07-22 Hämeenlinna, FIN Finland. Most recently in the Liiga with HPK. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[WeThreeKings]

Vinni has stagnated as well.

 

[austin63867]

Vinni has stagnated as well.

He's looked alright at times. Has a bad defense but whenever he looks to be doing well he follows up with struggling performances. In terms of maturity I think he's arguably the best in that regard but he lets in too many bad goals. He still has starter potential for me if he can clean up his game further.

 

[Caser]

 

[JJTT]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1812574052567208441

Unless they are planning him to play in the echl seems kinda weird to sign him so early.

 

[Albatros]

He has a contract with HPK until 2026 anyway, up to them to decide whether they want to play him already. And if not, then might as well let him go to the ECHL.

 

[Thefinnishchamp]

Saarinen has been damn good in Liiga after the WJC, his average save percantage since then has been like 96 % and he has been a big reason for HPK turning their season around.

Will be interesting to see who ends up having more success out of him and Rimpinen, they each have their strengths and I could see both being successful all the way in NHL one day.