Prospect Info: Leafs' 2019 3rd-round (#84) -- D Mikko Kokkonen -- Liiga Finland 5' 11" /200 lbs

[stickty111]

Incredibly productive for his age and quality of competition, wonder why he fell

His skating is a little weak.

 

[7even]

The narrative's that he's close to his peak without much more room for improvement and that his skating isn't good. Of course, I'm not buying that lack of potential improvement considering how much he managed to improve in just the last year.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Jukurit is an awful, awful Liiga team, a perennial bottom feeder with a very tiny budget. He wasn't exactly in a position to succeed, yet still had a historical Liiga season.

Thanks for the insight. Idk how any 18yo can be close to their peak but what do I know. Our skating coaches have been able to help a lot of players get their feet to an NHL level so hopefully he can benefit from that.

 

[supermann_98]

Marlies next year or foregone conclusion another year in Europe?

 

[PemIceKing]

This is a steal for Toronto

Mikko Kokkonen Scouting Report: 2019 NHL Draft #40

Yep

 

[Trapper]

Can Dubas draft one player over 6' please!!!!

Don’t care about height.
I care about skill with drive/intensity.

 

[Patmac40]

This kid is really smart defensively and has a lot of offensive upside. Really great value here. Nice value on both picks so far.

 

[7even]

Marlies next year or foregone conclusion another year in Europe?

I'd hope Marlies or even OHL, just so he can work with our development staff. If skating is his biggest hurdle, the sooner we get him working with Barb the more time he has to improve.

 

[Advanced stats]

Can Dubas draft one player over 6' please!!!!

Oh no, a 17 year old isn't 6 feet tall!

 

[Matthews34]

His skating is a little weak.

Great short and can't skate great combo lol

 

[TheProspector]

Oh, yeah. This is the first draft that Dubas has the reigns for real. No shitty Hunter picks. That makes two great value picks.

 

[Kiwi]

Marlies next year or foregone conclusion another year in Europe?

I'd imagine you'd want him with the best skating coach available, which would be Underhill so I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up on the Marlies

Especially since he was playing against men in Liiga last season

 

[Matthews34]

Oh no, a 17 year old isn't 6 feet tall!

Classic Leaf fan post "Don't worry he can grow my buddy's uncle's nephew's friend was 5'9' at 17 and grew to 6'5"

 

[7even]

Great short and can't skate great combo lol

My pick at 84 was Kirby Dach: size, speed, and playmaking

F**kin Dubas

 

[Orfieus]

If Sandin is 2/3Dman this kid could be a 4/5

Sandin lite

 

[Morbo]

Again, very good value for slot at first glance.

nice.

 

[Joey Hoser]

I'd imagine you'd want him with the best skating coach available, which would be Underhill so I wouldn't be shocked if he ends up on the Marlies

Especially since he was playing against men in Liiga last season

I don't think Barb works for the Leafs full-time. IIRC she is just around for the offseason camps and stuff.

 

[Matthews34]

My pick at 84 was Kirby Dach: size, speed, and playmaking

F**kin Dubas

Thanks Peter Pan

 

[ITM]

Great short and can't skate great combo lol

He's listed at 5'11" and 198lbs...That's perfectly acceptable for an 18 year old. Puts 15-20 pounds on and grows an inch or two, this #10 ranked European skater becomes the mirror of a very solid Morgan Rielly.

Stirring the pot is funny when the circumstances seem plausible, when it's another fan base, and when it's not incessant.

This is a solid pick.

 

[7even]

Thanks Peter Pan

 

[Lepardi]

La Liga? If he's playing in La Liga, he must be making some solid money already, meaning he's probably in no hurry to move to North America.

 

[Mess]

Mikko Kokkonen's Player Profile

Cam Robinson - Dobber ProspectsFeb. 6th: "Logs heavy minutes in all situations and produces a calm and measured approach ... He’s been superb in the Liiga early on this season. A deft two-way player who likely projects as a complementary offensive piece at the next level."

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Dec. 20th: "Strong outlets, good compete level and defensive positioning. He’s adjusted well to the increased workload in the Liiga this season. A deft two-way player who likely projects as a defense-first player at the next level."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 6th: "Kokkonen moves effortlessly in all four directions, closes gaps quickly, rarely gets exposed and is sneaky-strong in puck battles. He looks exactly like what you’d want a modern NHL defenceman to look like."

Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) - Sporting News - June 29th: "One of the top junior-age defenders in Finland, Kokkonen is a poised, mobile playmaker with a high IQ who usually is summoned to take care of the tougher tasks. His skating ability allows him to carry the puck through or around traffic, but he'll only do it if the situation presents itself."

 

[Matthews34]

Is it too much to ask for a little depth chart diversification?

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Can Dubas draft one player over 6' please!!!!

Great short and can't skate great combo lol

Classic Leaf fan post "Don't worry he can grow my buddy's uncle's nephew's friend was 5'9' at 17 and grew to 6'5"

Does this schtick ever get exhausting?

 

[Matthews34]

Mikko Kokkonen's Player Profile

Cam Robinson - Dobber ProspectsFeb. 6th: "Logs heavy minutes in all situations and produces a calm and measured approach ... He’s been superb in the Liiga early on this season. A deft two-way player who likely projects as a complementary offensive piece at the next level."

Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Dec. 20th: "Strong outlets, good compete level and defensive positioning. He’s adjusted well to the increased workload in the Liiga this season. A deft two-way player who likely projects as a defense-first player at the next level."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - Nov. 6th: "Kokkonen moves effortlessly in all four directions, closes gaps quickly, rarely gets exposed and is sneaky-strong in puck battles. He looks exactly like what you’d want a modern NHL defenceman to look like."

Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) - Sporting News - June 29th: "One of the top junior-age defenders in Finland, Kokkonen is a poised, mobile playmaker with a high IQ who usually is summoned to take care of the tougher tasks. His skating ability allows him to carry the puck through or around traffic, but he'll only do it if the situation presents itself."

So he CAN skate. I change my stance on this pick.

 

[Jyssy]

IMO best if he stays home for another year or two. His team Jukurit is a bottom feeder in Liiga and he's gonna get lots of minutes and responsibility next season.