SprDaVE
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- Sep 20, 2008
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Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Mikko Kokkonen to a 3 year ELC
- Thread starter SprDaVE
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SprDaVE
Moderator
- Sep 20, 2008
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Underrated defensive prospect to me. I think he'll surprise a lot. He did have a pretty average season though.
I wonder if he'll join the Marlies for the rest of the season like he did last time around. Maybe the Leafs could give him a game as well.
Also:
I wonder if he'll join the Marlies for the rest of the season like he did last time around. Maybe the Leafs could give him a game as well.
Also:
Last edited:
stickty111
Registered User
- Jan 23, 2017
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Surprising but also not surprising. His Liga career has been a wierd one. Defensively he's still terrific and I don't think his skating will hurt him. Question is play driving and offense
Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 31,704
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He's definitely an ELC worthy prospect and likely bottom pair guy. With Niemela re-upping in Karpat it'll be good to have an actual prospect on the Marlies with defensive/PK specialist potential that can play both LD/RD.
Morgs
#16 #34 #44 #88 #91
Great to hear! Guy had a a major breakout season last year where he had rough DZS on a trash team and came away like Engvall does on the worst team in the league. Absolutely dominant. He then moved to a good team that ended up being horribly bad in a shot attempt perspective and he had a real rough season in every metric.
Very excited to see him spend the year with the Marlies next year, and realistically I could see NHL games next year if injuries hit. The ceiling is a #4 for me, but more likely a defensive #5/6 with good enough puck skills to not be a drag on transition but excels with everything to do with defensively. Rush defense, in zone defense, and PK defense are all plus or better in Liiga for my money.
Very excited to see him spend the year with the Marlies next year, and realistically I could see NHL games next year if injuries hit. The ceiling is a #4 for me, but more likely a defensive #5/6 with good enough puck skills to not be a drag on transition but excels with everything to do with defensively. Rush defense, in zone defense, and PK defense are all plus or better in Liiga for my money.
Nylanderthal
Registered User
- Jun 9, 2010
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I believe we are still at 48 as this deal begins next season
riffle
Registered User
How does this Mikko from Finland compare to the other Mikko Dman from Finland we moved on from? (Lehtonen)
Cams
Registered User
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
Lehtonen was an offensive defenceman.
Kokkonen is a defensive defenceman that works well in transition. Don't expect him to put up many points but he also doesn't handle the puck like a grenade.
1 season extension. I believe his agent said it's NHL or Liiga for Niemela next year. He'll likely contend for a spot out of camp and if they determine he's not ready, it's Finland instead of AHL.
Oh shit this is huge. He plays mostly right side. Might actually play if Bush, and Holl out for a bit. This is the help that was needed.
Didn't realize it doesn't start until next year. Shit.
Didn't realize it doesn't start until next year. Shit.
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SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
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Been saying it for a while but he's ready to play 3rd pairing minutes and won't be a liability. He'll provide more of a defensive impact than Dermott did. The only question will be the offense/transition ability. Very very good short handed.
they have the same first name and are from the same country
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
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I guess this means he comes and hopefully takes a job away from some of the crappier Marlies we are playing right now (Kivihalme mostly, but also Krys).
Not sure if he comes to play for the Marlies next year. He had another year on his Liiga deal and I imagine the Leafs will let him honour it with Dahlstrom and Kral both locked up for next year + Rubins likely getting re-signed for at least another year (which would take him to Group 6 UFA).
Of course unless he impresses enough to earn an NHL job somehow.
Not sure if he comes to play for the Marlies next year. He had another year on his Liiga deal and I imagine the Leafs will let him honour it with Dahlstrom and Kral both locked up for next year + Rubins likely getting re-signed for at least another year (which would take him to Group 6 UFA).
Of course unless he impresses enough to earn an NHL job somehow.
Lehtonen, was mostly offense with poor defense. Kokkonen, is all defense, with head scratchingly bad point totals.
Kokkonen's low end is Martin Marincin, but with a brain. I'd say his ceiling is Ron Hainsey in Toronto/Pittsburgh. Carolina Hainsey was a top 60 defender in the League at 1 point.
Looks solid, good size, hoping for a 2nd pair guy, but probably ends up being a solid bottom pair d
Mikko is pretty interesting to me. We don't need him to put up points, we just need him to play sound defensively.
I once viewed him a lot higher on my rankings based on his projectability but he's fallen back on my rankings considerably. I used to think of him as our 5th ranked guy, and I honestly think he'd be in 8-12 range at this point.
I still would say he has a relatively high floor, but I just don't know if he will be an everyday guy at the NHL level just yet. I was very impressed with his stint on the Marlies last season, but he kind of stalled this year.
At best I think we have a Justin Holl level impact with Mikko, and at worst he never gets out of the AHL. I will say though that his defensive first mentality is something that will help him get to that next level. You can see Joey Dusak for example lighting it up on the Marlies, and realistically would probably have gotten a shot in the NHL in a shittier organization, but the path for him to make the Leafs is next to none. We don't need another puck moving offensive defensman. We need guys that can play simple defense.
If we can mold a Lybushkin 2.0 I'd be over the moon
I once viewed him a lot higher on my rankings based on his projectability but he's fallen back on my rankings considerably. I used to think of him as our 5th ranked guy, and I honestly think he'd be in 8-12 range at this point.
I still would say he has a relatively high floor, but I just don't know if he will be an everyday guy at the NHL level just yet. I was very impressed with his stint on the Marlies last season, but he kind of stalled this year.
At best I think we have a Justin Holl level impact with Mikko, and at worst he never gets out of the AHL. I will say though that his defensive first mentality is something that will help him get to that next level. You can see Joey Dusak for example lighting it up on the Marlies, and realistically would probably have gotten a shot in the NHL in a shittier organization, but the path for him to make the Leafs is next to none. We don't need another puck moving offensive defensman. We need guys that can play simple defense.
If we can mold a Lybushkin 2.0 I'd be over the moon
