Prospect Info: G Topias Leinonen -- Selected 41st overall in 2022

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

 

[jmelm]

Yes….but is he willing to sign here?

 

[Fintastic]

He recorded his first career Liiga win and shutout against SaiPa but the let in 5 goals the next game against Lukko.

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

He recorded his first career Liiga win and shutout against SaiPa but the let in 5 goals the next game against Lukko.

It will be important to see how he performs in his next game. Every goalie has bad games, but the great ones bounce back immediately and don't let it turn into a streak of bad ones.

 

[joshjull]

 

[joshjull]

 

[Matt Ress]

In 8 games for JYP of SM Liiga, the big goaltender whom turned 19 5 days ago, has amassed a 3.08 GAA and .858 SV%. Not a bad start for the youngster.

 

[The Blunder Years]

Keep forgetting we drafted him. Fingers crossed we have the next 10 years covered between UPL, Levi and Leinonen

 

[Matt Ress]

Keep forgetting we drafted him. Fingers crossed we have the next 10 years covered between UPL, Levi and Leinonen

It would be refreshing

 

[Ace]

It would be refreshing

This organization had great goaltending for four decades and then like everything else…it went to shit after the Pegulas bought it.

Though they did draft the best goalie in hockey this year. So there’s that. For Boston.

 

[Matt Ress]

A not so refreshing take

 

[Dirty Dog]

A not so refreshing take

 

[K8fool]

This organization had great goaltending for four decades and then like everything else…it went to shit after the Pegulas bought it.

Though they did draft the best goalie in hockey this year. So there’s that. For Boston.

Well he trained here w massive shots workload and high danger.. We must know his weaknesses and we'll see playing him if we were burned but he definitely scorned us in the official narrative.. maybe we wouldn't match..

 

[Chainshot]

KB saying it sounds like Leinonen won't be at the WJ showcase.

 

[MOGlLNY]

KB saying it sounds like Leinonen won't be at the WJ showcase.

Jesus

 

[Fjordy]

So far, this choice looks very strange, but we'll see and wait.

 

[Jage]

KB saying it sounds like Leinonen won't be at the WJ showcase.

Possibly military service, but not sure. Just a guess.

Actually no.. previously he has said that he will attend the camp. Not sure why not...

 

[Ace]

KB saying it sounds like Leinonen won't be at the WJ showcase.

*Betting everything on Buffalo in the showcase*

 

[Gras]

Possibly military service, but not sure. Just a guess.

Actually no.. previously he has said that he will attend the camp. Not sure why not...

Didnt he have a stress fracture in his foot or was that someone else

 

[Jim Bob]

Didnt he have a stress fracture in his foot or was that someone else

That was the injury that caused him to miss the on-ice work at dev camp.

 

[Matt Ress]

That was the injury that caused him to miss the on-ice work at dev camp.

That's what Bakes is assuming the reason he is missing the showcase

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

So far, this choice looks very strange, but we'll see and wait.

Likely a bust and a reach for a pick based on a lack of goaltending in system and worries Levi and Portillo would sign. My bet is no way they make that pick if they felt confident Levi was signing. GMKA has made few muffs but this will be one.

 

[Fjordy]

Likely a bust and a reach for a pick based on a lack of goaltending in system and worries Levi and Portillo would sign. My bet is no way they make that pick if they felt confident Levi was signing. GMKA has made few muffs but this will be one.

Perhaps, although I don't understand what the problem is to take goalie in the third or fourth round, there is almost no difference. After Leinonen, RDs like Warren, Casey, Luneau and Salomonsson gone, any of them would have looked more logical. Several goalies selected in rounds 4-6 look to me equal Leinonen, so it was strange to get goalie so early.

 

[Chainshot]

Goaltender development is on a whole different time horizon than any other position.

 

[Dingo44]

Perhaps, although I don't understand what the problem is to take goalie in the third or fourth round, there is almost no difference. After Leinonen, RDs like Warren, Casey, Luneau and Salomonsson gone, any of them would have looked more logical. Several goalies selected in rounds 4-6 look to me equal Leinonen, so it was strange to get goalie so early.

It's easy to nitpick over a year later but looking at the entire 2022 draft it's really hard to come down on the decisions the Sabres made. Leinonen was their fourth draft pick of the entire draft and he fell about where he was projected. I'm not really interested in second guessing that pick an entire year later, especially in what looks to be a stellar draft in its entirety.

1 9 Matthew Savoie
1 16 Noah Ostlund
1 28 Jiri Kulich
2 41 Topias Leinonen
3 74 Viktor Neuchev
4 106 Mats Lindgren
5 134 Vsevolod Komarov
6 170 Jake Richard
6 187 Gustav Karlsson
7 202 Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson
7 211 Linus Sjodin