Prospect Info: Lassi Thomson, Defence, 19th Overall

[DylanSensFan]

Reminds me of Boumeester a bit.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Kinda funny how we’re scared of Russians because they might stay or go back to Russia, while we just drafted someone who’s literally leaving NA to go back to Finland.

 

[R2010]

I wasn't upset with Tkachuk or Karlsson, but have to admit Lazar fooled the **** out of me. He turned out to be the bustiest bust that ever did bust.

It's still shocking he couldn't even be a 3rd liner

 

[Senscore]

Kinda funny how we’re scared of Russians because they might stay or go back to Russia, while we just drafted someone who’s literally leaving NA to go back to Finland.

We're not scared of them per se. Melnyk just holds a grudge.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

It was the Oilers, doesn't that just about confirm he was a bad pick?

We'll see how it all shakes out. I understand why a chunk of the fanbase is upset, but I trust the scouts.

Tkachuk = upset fans
Karlsson = upset fans
Lazar = fanbase is thrilled

Maybe the fans (largely) don't know what the hell they're talking about

Sens fans were upset when Karlsson was drafted?

 

[MatchesMalone]

I quite like this pick. I had him going 25 so not much of a reach. Lol at people saying they picked him just because he is right shot defenseman. I'll trust our scouting staff over any of the public scouting service rankings all day, every day.

The way the chips fell, there really weren't any prospects left at 19 that I was overly excited about. The top 18 was almost the exact 18 players that I (and probably a lot of people) predicted - I just had York at 19 and Heinola at 18. So I think it is safe to say that was kind of the cut off before the next tier. And we drafted what our scouts felt to be the best of the rest.

 

[Tuna99]

I don't really see top end upside but he seems like a very safe pick . Almost assured of being a top 4 guy.

Good mobility
Bomb of a shot . Loves to shoot high.
Good break out pass.
Likes to carry the puck
Very calm with and without the puck
Defensively I'd say average atm .
Not overly physical .

He reminds me of a cross between O Maata and John Klingberg to be honest.

In his Hilite package he looks like he attacks down the wing really well and can get in deep, and he has a knack for finding shooting seems as he’s moving that are in the goalies blindspot and that’s all instinct.

I think he’s a Wolanin type, not big and not the fastest and not the biggest, just a smart player who likes to play his game.

Ideally he would be bigger, Chabot and Brannstrom playing 20+minutes a night make for a lighter defence, and Thomson seems in that mold as well

 

[SENATOR]

Conscripted military service in Finland could be just 6 - 8 month or less. It is not a huge issue for Finnish players.

 

[Mestaruus]

Someone asked earlier where does his surname come from. I just heard him saying that his father is from Scotland.

 

[Tremblay31]

So we can get one of Kaliev, Brink, or Lavoie on day 2? That is awesome.

Hope for Brink or Kaliyev too !
But lets see what our scouts have in mind

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

Conscripted military service in Finland could be just 6 - 8 month or less. It is not a huge issue for Finnish players.

From what I've read it's anywhere between 6 and12 months, depending on what training you already have, or need.

 

[Tuna99]

I’ll trust the scouts but I really don’t like it. I watched a lot of Kelowna games and korczak easily stood out as the better defenceman.

Isn’t this what was said about Chabot vs. Zboril?

 

[Noma]

Kinda funny how we’re scared of Russians because they might stay or go back to Russia, while we just drafted someone who’s literally leaving NA to go back to Finland.

There's a difference still because Thomson's plan is to play one year in Finland to get to play vs men before trying his luck in the NHL. The Russians can stay in their home country indefinitely because of bigger salaries and bigger cultural differences.

From what I've read it's anywhere between 6 and12 months, depending on what training you already have, or need.

It's pretty much always 6 months for professional athletes and they get to serve it in parts so that it can be spread for example for two summers. Multiple NHLers have done it that way previously.

 

[Micklebot]

Someone asked earlier where does his surname come from. I just heard him saying that his father is from Scotland.

Could have been a bad joke... Lassie is slang in Scotland for a young girl

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

I wasn't upset with Tkachuk or Karlsson, but have to admit Lazar fooled the **** out of me. He turned out to be the bustiest bust that ever did bust.

The Dolly Parton of draft picks.

 

[FlabJack]

The military service is not an issue, might even be a good thing that Thomson serves next year as opposed to serving at a later age. There's a tailored program for athletes, more info (in Finnish) can be found here:
Haku Urheilukoulun kesälajeihin käynnissä - Artikkeli - Sotilasliikunta
Google translate will help you there, but to summarize:
athletes in the program get to train for 2-8 hours a Day (12-30 hours a week), almost every night and weekends off and there's a physical therapist on staff to help with training.
Henri Jokiharju of the Blackhawks started his service on april 4th this year yet he was in Slovakia in may winning the world championships, so the military service is really not a hinrance in any way. Mikko Koivu was 28 when he finished his service, so there is a reasonable leniency with the whole thing.

 

[JD1]

Was this guy on loan to Kelowna from Ilves? If he was, the Sens could sign him and he could play in Belleville. If they think he could handle it, that is.

Ya he can play junior, AHL, or in Europe next year

 

[Johnny Hanson]

Isn’t this what was said about Chabot vs. Zboril?

It might have been, that’s what I lead off by saying I’ll trust the scouts.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Someone asked earlier where does his surname come from. I just heard him saying that his father is from Scotland.

It is a Scottish surname.

Hey, if the kid is half-Scottish, I'm on board with the pick.

 

[Micklebot]

Was this guy on loan to Kelowna from Ilves? If he was, the Sens could sign him and he could play in Belleville. If they think he could handle it, that is.

Can't imagine them going that route. I think he comes to Belleville the year after if all goes well.

 

[OgieO]

Hard not to like that shot. Similar technique to Laine. That's a weapon.

Offensive skill seems decent. Will need coaching regarding decision making. I think he'd be more effective as a "right up" breakout passer and then follow the play for the trailer sp shot but he seemed to love carrying it out. I don't see that as his strength moving up, but that's what coaches are for.

Love, love, love that shot on the backend.

Wanted several guys more than him but I do trust our scouts and this kid does have talent.

 

[chipsens]

Joo! Sens need more Finnish Lassi reminds me of Viking named Salming. Blue eyes. But does he like BBQ as much?! Is he a tame vegetarian or a flame-broiled meat-eater?

https://www.amazon.ca/Grilling-Salming-Börje/dp/144340487X

 

[Jussi]

There's a difference still because Thomson's plan is to play one year in Finland to get to play vs men before trying his luck in the NHL. The Russians can stay in their home country indefinitely because of bigger salaries and bigger cultural differences.

It's pretty much always 6 months for professional athletes and they get to serve it in parts so that it can be spread for example for two summers. Multiple NHLers have done it that way previously.

And because they don't have an NHL Transfer Agreement. Finland does. Easier to get out of a contract with an automatic out-clause than with KHL players.

Nothing wrong with him playing against grown men in one of the top leagues (where most rinks are hybrid size, including Ilves home ice at 28 meters wide) in Europe. Sure helped Kaapo Kakko develop into a top-2 pick.

 

[GWNR]

Such a Sens pick. They definitely drafted for need. As for Ole Lassi girls potential, he does look quite solid. Biggest concern will be his hockey IQ at the next level, but it's not really something you can know a lot about until he plays here.

His skillset is pretty solid. Hopefully he has some Dorion-esque intangibles.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

And because they don't have an NHL Transfer Agreement. Finland does. Easier to get out of a contract with an automatic out-clause than with KHL players.

Nothing wrong with him playing against grown men in one of the top leagues (where most rinks are hybrid size, including Ilves home ice at 28 meters wide) in Europe. Sure helped Kaapo Kakko develop into a top-2 pick.

I find it strange there was news he was going back there at the end of the season.. before the draft. Not sure for the reasoning. I just thought he's want to wait until after the draft and discuss with the team drafting him. I agree it should be fine for his development there. Pros and Cons.