Player Discussion Juho Lammikko - The (Not-So) Invisible Man

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I mean, he's about to turn 26 and this is now his 3rd season mostly in the NHL ... so I think we're probably seeing a finished product.

On a healthy roster it's fine enough, and he's $700k which is the main thing for a fungible 4th liner.

The issue is that your #4C should be able to leverage up into the #3C spot if you have injuries (think Lapierre being able to cover for Malhotra) and with Lammikko there is just no way. He's at his absolute limit in this role and still mediocre at it.

He's fundamentally sound enough defensively but there is just zero skill there. And zero hope of any skill or production - he couldn't score in the KHL or AHL either.

That puts a nice bow on it. He's cheap, he fills the role of the 4C reasonably well, and his teammates like him. All important qualities for a depth player - but not someone who seems likely to grow into more than that.

 

[F A N]

I'm impressed with his work ethic, but not very impressed with his skills or puck handling. Seems ok for a bottom liner though, the price is right, and compliments Motte pretty well.

Overall, he's done more for the team than the kid he was traded for did, and I think he'll play twice as many games for the Canucks as Juolevi will play for Florida. We won this trade.

I still would have loved to see Juolevi here playing under Boudreau. Can't imagine him being worse than Hunt or Burroughs playing the left side. But alas Juolevi still has problems staying healthy and BUT GREEN!

Lammikko does fill an important hole down the middle. With Sutter out and Highmore and Dowling having trouble staying healthy, there's only Dries can fill in at C after Petey, Miller, Horvat, and Dickinson?

 

[FireBenning]

I still would have loved to see Juolevi here playing under Boudreau. Can't imagine him being worse than Hunt or Burroughs playing the left side. But alas Juolevi still has problems staying healthy and BUT GREEN!

Lammikko does fill an important hole down the middle. With Sutter out and Highmore and Dowling having trouble staying healthy, there's only Dries can fill in at C after Petey, Miller, Horvat, and Dickinson?

I was not enamored with Lammikko under Green. But since BB has taken over, I've noticed a difference in his game. He's playing a 'harder' game.

With where Green was emotionally (knowing he was on the bubble), he probably wasn't too focused on a 4th line player who was just traded for. Perhaps BB has given him a real "role" and he knows it now, and is being coached. I definitely have liked his game recently. I hope he keeps it up and can improve in the circle. If so we have a cheap 4c who's big and plays heavy (which I've noticed he's doing more of since BB took over). GCG!

 

[F A N]

I was not enamored with Lammikko under Green. But since BB has taken over, I've noticed a difference in his game. He's playing a 'harder' game.

With where Green was emotionally (knowing he was on the bubble), he probably wasn't too focused on a 4th line player who was just traded for. Perhaps BB has given him a real "role" and he knows it now, and is being coached. I definitely have liked his game recently. I hope he keeps it up and can improve in the circle. If so we have a cheap 4c who's big and plays heavy (which I've noticed he's doing more of since BB took over). GCG!

I actually don't notice much of a difference in the offensive zone. I thought that he was playing a "hard" game under Green. The Canucks had a real glaring problem getting the puck out the defensive zone under Green and of course had that historically bad PK that Lammikko was a big part of. I don't think Lammikko is a good defensive player and certainly not really a guy who excels at defensive zone coverage. That's where Green's system might have hurt him (granted it hurt the entire team).

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

I was not enamored with Lammikko under Green. But since BB has taken over, I've noticed a difference in his game. He's playing a 'harder' game.

With where Green was emotionally (knowing he was on the bubble), he probably wasn't too focused on a 4th line player who was just traded for. Perhaps BB has given him a real "role" and he knows it now, and is being coached. I definitely have liked his game recently. I hope he keeps it up and can improve in the circle. If so we have a cheap 4c who's big and plays heavy (which I've noticed he's doing more of since BB took over). GCG!

I'd just like to reiterate this. The difference is like night and day. He seemed like just a contract slot to fill for his first couple months, but since Boudreau he's looked like there's actually something there.

 

[VanJack]

Once Juolevi belly-flopped in VanCity, Benning probably did about as well has he could....with Florida wanting to shed a couple of contracts.

Lammikko has filled in admirably in a fourth line 'Jay Beagle' role at a fraction of the cap-hit....and Juulsen has improved to the point where he's an option as a depth call-up from Abbotsford. And after missing so much time with injuries early in his career, is still a young d-man with some upside.

As Benning trades go, this one has to be considered one of his better ones.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

I'd just like to reiterate this. The difference is like night and day. He seemed like just a contract slot to fill for his first couple months, but since Boudreau he's looked like there's actually something there.

I was giving Lammikko his plaudits in the GDT last night. Definitely a guy who’s filled his role admirably, and he seems well regarded by his teammates and coaches. He’s an RFA at year’s end, and I think he’s earned another contract for next year with his hard working play.

Should also be noted when discussing the Juolevi trade that Juulsen has played some really solid hockey for Abbotsford, and has also looked reasonably solid in his spot duty with the big club. He’s had a lot of injury trouble in his career, so maybe a combination of a good run of health and playing in his hometown is having a rejuvenating effect for him.

Obviously, Juolevi busting hard was a crushing disappointment. But to get two useful depth pieces for him is a reasonable accomplishment (and as someone already said - surprisingly - one of Benning’s better moves)

 

[canuckking1]

Lammikko When Boudreau became coach

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Lammikko When Boudreau became coach

seriously though, i remember early in the year i was like, this guy is supposed to be finnish? he’s about as finnish as markus granlund

a week or so post-bouds i’m like, ah there it is

 

[LordBacon]

Lambo has been killing it lately,
great fit with Motte.

 

[M2Beezy]

Once Juolevi belly-flopped in VanCity, Benning probably did about as well has he could....with Florida wanting to shed a couple of contracts.

Lammikko has filled in admirably in a fourth line 'Jay Beagle' role at a fraction of the cap-hit....and Juulsen has improved to the point where he's an option as a depth call-up from Abbotsford. And after missing so much time with injuries early in his career, is still a young d-man with some upside.

As Benning trades go, this one has to be considered one of his better ones.

Agreed. Too bad it was a minor trade as his best

 

[F A N]

I was giving Lammikko his plaudits in the GDT last night. Definitely a guy who’s filled his role admirably, and he seems well regarded by his teammates and coaches. He’s an RFA at year’s end, and I think he’s earned another contract for next year with his hard working play.

Lambo has been killing it lately,
great fit with Motte.

Ya what a difference playing with better linemates make. Lammikko's faceoff percentage is now over 51%. I don't think it's sustainable given his career numbers but it's nice to see.

I would give a two year deal at $800K AAV. He's a legit NHL player.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

I was giving Lammikko his plaudits in the GDT last night. Definitely a guy who’s filled his role admirably, and he seems well regarded by his teammates and coaches. He’s an RFA at year’s end, and I think he’s earned another contract for next year with his hard working play.

Should also be noted when discussing the Juolevi trade that Juulsen has played some really solid hockey for Abbotsford, and has also looked reasonably solid in his spot duty with the big club. He’s had a lot of injury trouble in his career, so maybe a combination of a good run of health and playing in his hometown is having a rejuvenating effect for him.

Obviously, Juolevi busting hard was a crushing disappointment. But to get two useful depth pieces for him is a reasonable accomplishment (and as someone already said - surprisingly - one of Benning’s better moves)

Should be noted that Juolevi has not played poorly for Florida..He was clocking 16-17 minutes a night on the 3rd pairing, and from most reports I saw,.. was playing well..He just cant stay healthy..Injured again.

Glad to see Lammiko and Juulsen improving, but I'm holding off announcing this trade as a win for the Canucks..

 

[MS]

Lammikko under Green :

20-0-1-1 -5 14 SOG 10:03 TOI

Lammikko under Boudreau :

22-4-3-7 +4 23 SOG 13:00 TOI

He's had the biggest bump of any player on the roster under Boudreau. He looked like AHL junk in October/November and was a healthy scratch for Green's last 5 games here and it looked like his career was in major trouble. He's being helped by having two speedy wings that are probably carrying that line a bit, but he looks like a competent, cheap bottom-6 C. Is basically playing 3rd line minutes and doing a good job. Compete level has gone up a notch.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

I think some of the hate on him is that people think of a 5th overall pick in the back of their minds when assessing him.

 

[MS]

I think some of the hate on him is that people think of a 5th overall pick in the back of their minds when assessing him.

I don't think that's happening at all?

Even when he stunk at the start of the season I don't think there was any 'hate'.

 

[tantalum]

I don't think that's happening at all?

Even when he stunk at the start of the season I don't think there was any 'hate'.

I never really understand the "well you just hate the player" comments. Sure some people will simply hate players and be oblivious to anything good but they are few and far between on this board I think. Lammikko was criticized because his play was awful. now he's given some pats on the back because it's been pretty good. People look at play and value to the team in pretty honest ways I think. We can be wrong of course but I don't think there is a lot of bias going on.

We can all universally hate Marchand and still understand he's one of the best players in the world. We can dislike (or like) a trade and still be objective on how a player is doing.

And really in this case I don't think there were a lot of Juolevi supporters left to use his 5th overall position as part of that appraisal.

 

[F A N]

Lammikko under Green :

20-0-1-1 -5 14 SOG 10:03 TOI

Lammikko under Boudreau :

22-4-3-7 +4 23 SOG 13:00 TOI

He's had the biggest bump of any player on the roster under Boudreau. He looked like AHL junk in October/November and was a healthy scratch for Green's last 5 games here and it looked like his career was in major trouble. He's being helped by having two speedy wings that are probably carrying that line a bit, but he looks like a competent, cheap bottom-6 C. Is basically playing 3rd line minutes and doing a good job. Compete level has gone up a notch.

He's been real solid not having to play with a guy like Bailey. Like I said in my previous post, he's now even over 51% on the faceoff dot when he was hovering around 44% at one time?

I think Lammikko has competed hard from day 1. His game is all about forechecking and his goals are all opportune goals where the puck is never on his stick for like more than a second. Naturally, playing with a guy like Motte who can create turnovers and has some skill has helped Lammikko put some points on the board.

 

[AlainVigneaultsGum]

We got this guy for Olli f***ing Juolevi LMAO. Loving his game lately, perfect bottom sixer.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

Good trade. 6 goals isn't anything amazing but Juolevi is beyond useless

 

[RussianRacket]

I LOVE this trade.

What a great deal by the GM!!!!

 

[sting101]

Kudos to Juho. I really thought this was gonna be a total nothing burger AHLer from Benning but he's really taken advantage of the opportunity and has become a key role player.

Nice to find a few wins amongst the rubble

 

[PavelBure10]

Once Juolevi belly-flopped in VanCity, Benning probably did about as well has he could....with Florida wanting to shed a couple of contracts.

Lammikko has filled in admirably in a fourth line 'Jay Beagle' role at a fraction of the cap-hit....and Juulsen has improved to the point where he's an option as a depth call-up from Abbotsford. And after missing so much time with injuries early in his career, is still a young d-man with some upside.

As Benning trades go, this one has to be considered one of his better ones.

One of Benning better trades indeed. Actually the entire 4th line was later on constructed by a surprisingly good trade.

Juolevi for Lammikko, Juulssen
Vanek for Motte
Gaudette for Highmore

Loving this 4th line.

 

[F A N]

This thread seriously needs a thread title change. Lammikko has points in 4 out of his last 6 games. 3 goals 2 assists.

 

[David71]

the guy is such a hard working player. makes plays goes hard to the net and wins faceoffs. cheap too.