LD Elmeri Laakso - SaiPa, Liiga (2022 Draft)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Big defenseman that can skate very well. He's a pretty good puck-rusher with a big shot, but not that skilled offensively. Defensively, not great and not terrible. Hockey sense is lacking, in my opinion, but I think he's a pick next year and could be a round 3-4 pick with a good season.

Elmeri Laakso at eliteprospects.com

 

[mistaclick]

Tools are definitely good enough to be in Liiga at the moment, solid 4-way skating, but nothing pops out about his game. Deployed on "top line" averaging close to 18:00 for SaiPa in the last month. Some questionable decision making at times, especially in defensive zone and couple times in NZ deciding to step up at inopportune times, but still he's young playing big minutes on one of the worst teams against men. He has time on his side for sure.

Would be a solid move to take him in 4th roundish if a team has multiple picks around then and hope for the best in 2-3 years. Not undersized is a plus, but definitely nothing elite or standing out from his skillset as of now.

 

[Frk It]

Tell me more about this kid, I am really interested to see him at the U18s.

 

[neelynugs]

i like this guy. don't think there's a ton of upside but could be a nice depth defenseman.
pretty good skater, gets up in the play and can shoot it. 5th - 7th round seems fine.

 

[Frk It]

Having a really strong +1 season, I think he will get drafted.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Seems like he's spent most of the year in A juniors; though men's team for SaiPa is a bit of a dumpster fire at this point.

Is Laakso being considered for the Finland U20 team?

 

[Johnny Danger]

he's playing his first full season in the Liiga. 2 goals, 2 assists in 17 games. anyone there to give some more update? thank you

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Was Laakso injured during the World Juniors? Had five points in three games with the Finland U20 team and is averaging over 15 minutes of ice time in Liiga with SaiPa.

Any chance he is drafted this time around?

 

[Kung Fu Tzu]

Was Laakso injured during the World Juniors? Had five points in three games with the Finland U20 team and is averaging over 15 minutes of ice time in Liiga with SaiPa.

Any chance he is drafted this time around?

He has produced less ppg in Liiga than in the previous two years when he did not get drafted (this summer will be his 3rd draft eligible year), so I would not bet on it.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

He has produced less ppg in Liiga than in the previous two years when he did not get drafted (this summer will be his 3rd draft eligible year), so I would not bet on it.

Didn't realize SaiPa was last in Liiga when I looked at his profile.