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

[Kelly]

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

Because Keaton Middleton, and those other tall ogres worked out great for us.

Tall /=/ Plays Big

Look at Matthews.

Have an idea

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Seems to have fallen pretty far, has the potential to be a steal.

 

[Martin Skoula]

So big players don't have skill? Also nowhere did I post they needed to be above average just average height is fine.

It's almost like the big skilled players get taken before the 3rd round.

 

[Kelly]

So big players don't have skill? Also nowhere did I post they needed to be above average just average height is fine.

5'11" is average.

Try again.

 

[kk87]

Don't quite understand how anyone can critique his upside when he put up historic numbers as a 17 year old dman in Liiga. If you're looking for higher upside in the third round, I'm not sure what to tell you

 

[Contenderorpretender]

It's almost like the big skilled players get taken before the 3rd round.

Lol. That's crazy talk

 

[Matthews34]

Don't quite understand how anyone can critique his upside when he put up historic numbers as a 17 year old dman in Liiga. If you're looking for higher upside in the third round, I'm not sure what to tell you

I'm actually cool with this pick now that it's been confirmed he can skate.

 

[Walshy7]

Again I'd be happy with some players drafted at 6'1" to 6'2"

What will those 2” honestly get him? Such a silly tangent you have gone on. You don’t know his wingspan so don’t say reach either

 

[Advanced stats]

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"

You know that people grow till their about 20 right?

 

[Advanced stats]

Not in hockey it isn't. So you try again

5-11 is literally average in hockey..

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

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.

Being in a shorty position would it be better to sign right away and get him playing over here, even in the ECHL?

 

[ijuka]

It's not just height, Kokkonen is a bulldozer. It's very odd if size's a concern with him. He's not one of those lanky dudes.

 

[Walshy7]

That would be true if I was focused on this one pick. But thanks for coming out.

Oh you are whining about the 2nd round pick in the thread of the 3rd round pick. Sandin also 5’11 last year so your above post says you ok with that too. So SDA and Robertson is your issue?

 

[MR4]

That would be true if I was focused on this one pick. But thanks for coming out.

Your shtick bores us.

Thanks but no thanks for coming out.

 

[ijuka]

Mikko Kokkonen isn't likely to grow, he's been the same size since he was like 14 years old.

 

[Menzinger]

Again I'd be happy with some players drafted at 6'1" to 6'2"

A couple inches is literally meaningless when it comes to effectiveness.

These guys are 3-5 years away from making the NHL. Theast thing we should be worrying about is how big they are in 2019

 

[crump]

"moves effortlessly in all four directions, closes gaps quickly, rarely gets exposed"
"poised, mobile playmaker"

Skating is an issue? I think if he survived and thrived on a European rink, he'll be fine over here. Sounds like a good pick.

 

[Kelly]

Not in hockey it isn't. So you try again

It's 6'1"

Kid is what 17? Even if he doesn't grow anymore, that's 2 inches.

Plus he's already 200lbs, that's a solid boy.

But go ahead, keep whining over a couple inches without knowing anything about the actual player.

 

[Jyrki Lumme]

So big players don't have skill? Also nowhere did I post they needed to be above average just average height is fine.

I'm curious who this big, skilled, smooth skating player available outside the top 15 picks (let alone the late 2nd round or later) is.

 

[SprDaVE]

Move on from the size debate.

 

[aingefan]

More 3/4th round picks please.

 

[Matthews34]

Move on from the size debate.

No problem

 

[Menzinger]

Any scout that uses height as a main determinant for drafting a guy needs to be fired on the spot

 

[exporta]

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

Why? Height is becoming less and less relevant. Draft skill over size any day of the week.

 

[Mr Hockey]

looks like a nice pick going by his stats