Confirmed with Link: Jackets sign Markus Hannikainen to an entry level contract

[cslebn]

If so we can always use one more or of them in package for a D man

If he has good potential to produce in the NHL why would you not sign him?

After this year you are worried about having too much of something?

Oh I don't disagree with either of you. What I find interesting is the targeting of forwards when I would hope they would be targeting D. Both in the NHL and our system we have more forwards than D that will make an impact.

I hope he does well. I don't count on it though. I'm assuming he's bound for the LEM.

 

[CBJx614]

Have ye little faith?!

 

[WannabeFinn]

I think if he was really a flight risk to go back to Finland if he didn't get NHL time, he wouldn't have signed a 2 year deal. That to me sounds like he is willing to stick around and give it a real chance to try and make in North America.

He had to sign a 2 year ELC because of his age, not necessarily because he wanted it.

 

[Padawan]

I could see Hannikainen staying in Finland for one more season after signing his ELC just because he could get buried in the lineup in Erie if he does struggle.

Yeah, I wish. However I don't see him returning to Finland any time soon. He signed only for two years. If it would be three, then a year in Finland wouldn't hurt but two years is a different story. He has to get used to the NA style of play with a smaller rink.

I have faith in him. He plays like every shift is his last, he certainly has the speed to make it there, he has decent hands but he won't be star forward. I think his upside is a 3rd liner who plays a good two-way play. After all, he won the plus/minus award last season in Finland.

 

[EXTRAS]

Any chance he makes Columbus this season?

 

[major major]

Any chance he makes Columbus this season?

I think it's unlikely unless there's another injury crisis. When Torts needs a checking forward he has faster players to call on first.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Any chance he makes Columbus this season?

Nope. He's behind Anderson, Bjorkstrand, Dubois, and Milano at least.

 

[Crede777]

I thought he was behind a bunch of guys last year too, but he made the team out of camp IIRC.

So who knows. But on our depth chart he would be in the AHL all season barring lots of injuries.

 

[SavesEmNot]

I thought he was behind a bunch of guys last year too, but he made the team out of camp IIRC.

He did? I think he scored in the Monsters' first regular season game (though I'm not entirely sure), so that would seem unlikely.

 

[hardkorejackets]

Hannikainen didn't make the Jackets regular season out of training camp last year..If I remember correctly, he was injured to start the season so maybe was just up here for rehab or sent to Lake Erie a bit later than others. He did get called up to play for the Jackets for some games last season however though before Milano and Bjorkstrand got called up.

 

[Crede777]

Hannikainen didn't make the Jackets regular season out of training camp last year..If I remember correctly, he was injured to start the season so maybe was just up here for rehab or sent to Lake Erie a bit later than others. He did get called up to play for the Jackets for some games last season however though before Milano and Bjorkstrand got called up.

That's right. I'm remembering that because they introduced him on opening night since he played the last preseason game and was hurt (never cut).

Then he got the surprise call up.

 

[major major]

Nope. He's behind Anderson, Bjorkstrand, Dubois, and Milano at least.

I wouldn't say he's in direct competition with the latter three. Hannikainen, Anderson, and Sedlak are all guys with lower offensive upside that the club wouldn't mind sticking on the fourth line if they win a job there. That said, Hannikainen has to beat those two along with maybe someone like Campbell to win a job. I don't think his chances are that good.

 

[JKinCLE]

For those saying he's headed back to Finland and is this years melart or hjalmarsson, you couldn't be more wrong.

He plays a big role in Cleveland. He was playing on a line with bjork and sedlak iirc in the playoffs. I think it's safe to assume he is committed here for the foreseeable future.

Hell he even had his own Young Guns card in last years Upper Deck set. Haha. I doubt he sees much nhl time this year, but it's more realistic than the last two signings from overseas.

 

[Xoggz22]

Any chance he makes Columbus this season?

Long shot for the opening night roster but he'll get some games in. I think he'll be on the short list of call ups. Depends on team needs and how he starts off in Cleveland.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

I don't think his chances are that good.

Never bet against a hard-working man who has been given now the American porridge.

You personally think he got A upside?