LD Aron Kiviharju - IFK Helsinki, Liiga (2024, 122nd, MIN) Part2

[Albatros]

A loan deal to Mestis would seem more likely, in juniors there are other players that need the ice time.

Minnesota had no option to sign him and send him to the CHL, if they signed him the only options would have been either to keep him or send him back to HIFK.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836439937618424300

Look what Kiviharju is doing this mistake cost a goal for HIFK.
Kiviharju is number 33 that other guy is Petteri Lindbohm former NHL dman.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

A loan deal to Mestis would seem more likely, in juniors there are other players that need the ice time.

Minnesota had no option to sign him and send him to the CHL, if they signed him the only options would have been either to keep him or send him back to HIFK.

That's bullshit and you know it.
If Minnesota wild would've signed Kiviharju with ELC
wild would've got full rights to decide where Kiviharju plays this season
and that would've made CHL and Moncton strong option instead of HIFK.

NHL's ELC rookie contract terminates SM liiga contract.

 

[Albatros]

That is incorrect, as per the transfer agreement players not drafted in the 1st round can either play in the NHL or for the European team that held the rights before the signing of the ELC.

The European team can in principle waive their rights, but the NHL team can not compensate them in any way for it as that would count as cap circumvention in the NHL.

Given that Kiviharju played for another team (TPS) within the time period relevant for calculating the transfer compensation, it would make little sense for HIFK to release him early if they lose one year worth of compensation that way and his salary in Finland is presumably not very high.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Scored his first 2024-2025 regular season goal vs Rauman Lukko yesterday.
Edit. Kiviharju's goal vs Lukko.

 

[Svedu]

So tell us, how has he looked so far? How did he look against Kärpät tonight? I assume I' ll get an answer after the game.
Is he a lock for the WJC's? Because he's no shutdown defender by any means.

 

[57special]

He's the next Lane Hutson.

 

[wetcoast]

He's the next Lane Hutson.

More like Topi Niemela or Ville Heinola and that's a good outcome.

 

[Albatros]

If he can still shake off his injuries his ceiling is a lot higher than Niemelä's or Heinola's.

 

[Antiillafire]

More like Topi Niemela or Ville Heinola and that's a good outcome.

I fear this could also be the case for Luka Radivojevic. I would love to be wrong for a Slovak mobile d-man like that but still draft season not a great start.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Scored his first 2024-2025 regular season goal vs Rauman Lukko yesterday.
Edit. Kiviharju's goal vs Lukko.

Koff? Not Lapin Kulta but the good old days in Finland.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

One goal in 10 games for the league's second-place team. Not unusual for a teenager to have a limited role with HIFK.

The team's leading scorer among defenseman Luke Martin, a 26-year-old former 2nd round pick of the Hurricanes, played for the University of Michigan and then split time between the ECHL and AHL before heading to Finland last season.

The team also has frequent Team Finland member Tony Sund. Sund was signed by the Sharks during the pandemic but never played in North America.

 

[Leafshater67]

I think he should have came over to play in the CHL honestly.

 

[57special]

I think he should have came over to play in the CHL honestly.

Kumpulainen did, and went back to Finland this year. He clearly feels different than you. Liiga gets dumped on, but a decent Pro men's league trumps a junior league, especially once you throw in factors like language, culture, and travel.

 

[Leafshater67]

Kumpulainen did, and went back to Finland this year. He clearly feels different than you. Liiga gets dumped on, but a decent Pro men's league trumps a junior league, especially once you throw in factors like language, culture, and travel.

He’s going to have to learn the language, culture and travel sooner than later. Also, he would get to be a star and play the North American game instead of getting limited and sheltered minutes. It would be a good bridge for him to grow against players his own age and then go off to the AHL when he’s ready.

 

[57special]

He’s going to have to learn the language, culture and travel sooner than later. Also, he would get to be a star and play the North American game instead of getting limited and sheltered minutes. It would be a good bridge for him to grow against players his own age and then go off to the AHL when he’s ready.

You think he needs to learn the Canadian Junior hockey culture?

 

[wetcoast]

You think he needs to learn the Canadian Junior hockey culture?

Nice jab but playing all situations and gaining confidence wouldn't hut nevermind the adjustment to the smaller ice surface rather than limited duty in a "better" league.

He's not ready for the AHL either IMO.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

He’s going to have to learn the language, culture and travel sooner than later. Also, he would get to be a star and play the North American game instead of getting limited and sheltered minutes. It would be a good bridge for him to grow against players his own age and then go off to the AHL when he’s ready.

Why Kiviharju should learn english when he already speaks it very well.
Kiviharju is not like Jesse Puljujärvi who was too stupid to learn english before NHL.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

So tell us, how has he looked so far? How did he look against Kärpät tonight? I assume I' ll get an answer after the game.
Is he a lock for the WJC's? Because he's no shutdown defender by any means.

I don't see any reason why Kiviharju should be a ''lock'' to U20 WJC's.
In those 3 TV games what i have seen for him he's been very invisible and hasn't done much on the ice.

Niklas Nykyri has so far out-played and out-scored Kiviharju of all HIFK dmans so far.
If Kiviharju is on the team he shouldn't be more than 7th dman at least vs Canada in USA.

Kiviharju is a midget dman who lacks skating, size and physicality
games vs Canada and USA will be too difficult and fast for him so
if it was my decision Kiviharju wouldn't be a lock for U20 WJC's

 

[Leafshater67]

Why Kiviharju should learn english when he already speaks it very well.
Kiviharju is not like Jesse Puljujärvi who was too stupid to learn english before NHL.

I still stand by my point that bringing him here to be a star and learn the North American game would be better. He’d be a junior star and adjust to North America and the smaller rink now versus when he comes over and has to do it against men in the AHL.

 

[Albatros]

Kiviharju is a midget dman who lacks skating, size and physicality
games vs Canada and USA will be too difficult and fast for him so
if it was my decision Kiviharju wouldn't be a lock for U20 WJC's

Kimmo Timonen used to carry Finnish WJC teams with the same limitations back in the day. Maybe a better skater, but that's about it.

 

[Prior]

The goal for him is to learn how to be a defender against men. Being a star against kids is going to do him no favors at his frame. He’s playing in a league where he should be. Maybe he makes it, maybe he doesn’t. This is a 4th round pick after all. Fail to see how playing against lesser competition than he is now factors into it.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Kimmo Timonen used to carry Finnish WJC teams with the same limitations back in the day. Maybe a better skater, but that's about it.

Did you seriously compare 18yrs old 4th round pick
into a stanley cup winner who played 1108 regular season games in NHL? jesus man.

With that injury history what Kiviharju already has
it is a miracle if he plays even 10 NHL games if he ever makes it in NHL.
You're totally out of lunch if you seriously think Kiviharju is next Kimmo Timonen.

 

[wetcoast]

Did you seriously compare 18yrs old 4th round pick
into a stanley cup winner who played 1108 regular season games in NHL? jesus man.

With that injury history what Kiviharju already has
it is a miracle if he plays even 10 NHL games if he ever makes it in NHL.
You're totally out of lunch if you seriously think Kiviharju is next Kimmo Timonen.

The poster you are quoting is clearly comparing the 2 guys at the same age after he was talking about this,

Kimmo Timonen used to carry Finnish WJC teams with the same limitations back in the day. Maybe a better skater, but that's about it.

Maybe it got lost language wise but he wasn't comparing the NHL career.

 

[AKL]

I think he should have came over to play in the CHL honestly.

At 18/19, there's nothing to learn in the CHL except for bad habits.

NCAA might have been a decent avenue for him if he landed on a good team with a good coach, but Liiga is much better than the CHL at this point.