Prospect Info: Lenni Hämeenaho (#58 Pick - 2nd Round - 2023 Draft)

[devilsblood]

Sounds like he’s having a heck of a tournament.

Face off win???

 

[My3Sons]

Face off win???

Sure. Why not? He’s versatile. He has had some success playing in a men’s league so I am not surprised he can do most of what the better players do against a bunch of teenagers.

 

[Devs3cups]

Sure. Why not? He’s versatile. He has had some success playing in a men’s league so I am not surprised he can do most of what the better players do against a bunch of teenagers.

How could that be possible with his skating?

 

[Guadana]

Mercer is a better skater but he isn't above average. Average top end speed and quick tight area speed. At the same age I wouldn't say their skating is that much different from a result standpoint. Mercer doesn't look as awkward doing so.

Let's wait two seasons to see where his skating is after he puts on some leg strength.

Mercer was much more mobile and fast with his first steps in any direction.
I can imagine that Lenny will develop his skating, may be even Fitz by himself and organisation overall know something or may be have someone to help Lenny with his development of skating part. Its just unfair to put them on the same level and waiting something similar from Lenny.
And if we are talking about their skating and physical aspect overall, Mercer center of mass in way lower than Lenny's. I belive haveing higher center of mass it will help to be dominant in battles without the puck, start to be more aggressive and more checking for Haminaho, and overall its a different constitution of the mechanics. And it`s effect on the first step, on the mobility, on the balance etc

 

[devilsblood]

Sure. Why not? He’s versatile. He has had some success playing in a men’s league so I am not surprised he can do most of what the better players do against a bunch of teenagers.

It may have just been the center was tossed. But was he playing some center?

 

[Guttersniped]

So a couple months post draft speed is no longer an issue? At this rate he’ll be a plus skater by the start of the season.

I don’t know who this dude is but when I saw him skate I thought he clearly had some problems with his mechanics.

He leaned forward a lot, bending at the waist, hunching over. That means he’s not bending his knee. Why? Hell if I know, I’m not a skating coach.

There could be a number of things going on: how much he bends his knees, his hip flexibility, etc.

He often looks quick because he plays with a ton of pace, and moves as quickly as he can through sheer force of will, but the skating isn’t good.

Hopefully he’s getting a lot of instruction and constant guidance so this can be a smart, productive process.

I’m hopeful about Hameenaho because there’s a lot to really like and get excited about but denying the skating issues is silly, particularly if you haven’t seen him live.

 

[devilsblood]

I don’t know who this dude is but when I saw him skate I thought he clearly had some problems with his mechanics.

He leaned forward a lot, bending at the waist, hunching over. That means he’s not bending his knee. Why? Hell if I know, I’m not a skating coach.

There could be a number of things going on: how much he bends his knees, his hip flexibility, etc.

He often looks quick because he plays with a ton of pace, and moves as quickly as he can through sheer force of will, but the skating isn’t good.

Hopefully he’s getting a lot of instruction and constant guidance so this can be a smart, productive process.

I’m hopeful about Hameenaho because there’s a lot to really like and get excited about but denying the skating issues is silly, particularly if you haven’t seen him live.

What Im denying is how bad the skating is. Or at least how much it will hinder his game

At 18 years old we’ve seen him be pretty productive in a pro league. We see the numbers from this showcase. I have a hard time thinking his skating is as bad as the board narrative was telling me it was

You want to use the “need to see it live” argument well im pretty confident the Devils saw him live more the anyone on this board has and they clearly didn’t think it was as a major issue.

Ive said it before but im less concerned with mechanics then I am with speed and quickness. Not inly is the latter more important but the former can be cleaned up.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

The game is played at its fastest at the NHL level in terms of decision making , moving the puck , shooting etc...but kids nowadays at these lower levels of hockey are fast and play a pro style game in some of these junior levels. Yeah you wanna see his skating improve but he does manage to make an impact out their while not being as fast as his peers.

Lenni should do offseason workouts with Bratt's skills/skating coach from Sweden , DB hockey factory or whatever his buisness is called. I believe Holtz has been with him the last 2 years too.

 

[My3Sons]

The game is played at its fastest at the NHL level in terms of decision making , moving the puck , shooting etc...but kids nowadays at these lower levels of hockey are fast and play a pro style game in some of these junior levels. Yeah you wanna see his skating improve but he does manage to make an impact out their while not being as fast as his peers.

Lenni should do offseason workouts with Bratt's skills/skating coach from Sweden , DB hockey factory or whatever his buisness is called. I believe Holtz has been with him the last 2 years too.

To me Holtz is proof that the fast decision making has a much bigger role in real world pace than it gets credit for. His skating is ok. He’s not lumbering on the ice but you can smell the wood burning when he’s deciding what to do. In a simple system where he just had to skate up and down with few decisions he’d be ok. NJ asks a lot mentally from all its players and for some guys that is too much.

 

[Guttersniped]

What Im denying is how bad the skating is. Or at least how much it will hinder his game

At 18 years old we’ve seen him be pretty productive in a pro league. We see the numbers from this showcase. I have a hard time thinking his skating is as bad as the board narrative was telling me it was

You want to use the “need to see it live” argument well im pretty confident the Devils saw him live more the anyone on this board has and they clearly didn’t think it was as a major issue.

Ive said it before but im less concerned with mechanics then I am with speed and quickness. Not inly is the latter more important but the former can be cleaned up.

Yes, the Devils brass have seen him live, I wasn’t suggesting anything about their take.

You personally haven’t seen him live though and you can judge skating a lot better live.

You can keep calling my observations “narratives” if you want be an asshole about it I guess.

I’ve been as rah rah as anyone about Hameenaho after I seeing him at the 3v3. I just said I was optimistic about the player. Recognizing his flaws is called being realistic, I’m not condemning him.

Saying he needs to improve his skating is a pretty vanilla position to take on him, considering that’s what he said about himself:

Hameenaho described his own game as such: "I'm a smart player. I'm best with the puck in the offensive side. I like (to have) the puck and create scoring chances for myself and my linemates. I want to most improve my skating, explosiveness, first step."
[snip]
"I think I need a few more years to develop my physical side and skating," he said. "Then I think I will be ready. … That is the smartest move for me."

https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-elated-hameenaho-slipped-into-their-grasp--feature/c-345122308I’m

 

[devilsblood]

Yes, the Devils brass have seen him live, I wasn’t suggesting anything about their take.

You personally haven’t seen him live though and you can judge skating a lot better live.

You can keep calling my observations “narratives” if you want be an asshole about it I guess.

I’ve been as rah rah as anyone about Hameenaho after I seeing him at the 3v3. I just said I was optimistic about the player. Recognizing his flaws is called being realistic, I’m not condemning him.

Saying he needs to improve his skating is a pretty vanilla position to take on him, considering that’s what he said about himself:



https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-elated-hameenaho-slipped-into-their-grasp--feature/c-345122308I’m

I said board narrative, not you specifically.

And that board narrative was evident in him not even making the initial prospect poll list.

Thats what my original post was poking at. You jumped in front of the bullet.

To me Holtz is proof that the fast decision making has a much bigger role in real world pace than it gets credit for. His skating is ok. He’s not lumbering on the ice but you can smell the wood burning when he’s deciding what to do. In a simple system where he just had to skate up and down with few decisions he’d be ok. NJ asks a lot mentally from all its players and for some guys that is too much.

Holtz is slow.

 

[BurntToast]

Here is my argument, skating alone dose not make or break a prospect.

There are 57 prospects who were taken before Lenni. There is a good chance many will bust and their profiles are much more sterling. 1st overall picks with little to no known flaws have struggle and busted. And Clarkson who is a crap skater scored 30 goals.

NHL Draft Pick Probabilities – DobberProspects

 

[My3Sons]

I said board narrative, not you specifically.

And that board narrative was evident in him not even making the initial prospect poll list.

Thats what my original post was poking at. You jumped in front of the bullet.


Holtz is slow.

He’s not plodding he’s moving at below average speed. I’ve seen any number of slower guys succeed in thr NHL. I think Hamilton is slower for example. He’s slower than he should be because he can’t make up his mind what to do.

 

[HBK27]

2024 World Juniors roster projections: Who makes Team Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland?

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman and Max Bultman make their early roster picks for the 2024 tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.

theathletic.com

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Steven Ellis:

Leeni Hämeenaho, RW, Finland (New Jersey Devils)​

Hey Devils fans, I see you. Hämeenaho was one fans were excited to see in person after going 58th overall in 2023. Other than maybe Cutter Gauthier, Hämeenaho was probably the best player overall. His hockey sense was on full display, and it led to him finishing the tournament with a four-point effort. A big discussion heading into the draft was about Hämeenaho’s skating, and while he seemed to not lose a ton of battles for the puck, it’s still a work in progress. Regardless, what a pickup for the Devils if he can keep this pace up.

The top 10 NHL drafted prospects from the World Junior Summer Showcase

These 10 prospects stood out above the rest during the four-day event.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[Guttersniped]

link

The World Junior Summer Showcase wrapped up on Friday, bringing an end to a week-plus of fun, sloppy summer hockey. Now we're left to parse the noteworthy performances and try to glean some meaning from it all.

The event took place in Plymouth, Michigan with four teams playing eight games spread over four days of action. The Americans iced two split-squad clubs, USA White and USA Blue, and welcomed Team Finland and Team Sweden into the fold.

As this is a summer showcase, several players who are expected to play sizeable roles were missing from action. Namely, the projected top line for Sweden and former Djurgårdens trio Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Liam Öhgren, and Noah Östlund.

However, there remained plenty of high-level, drafted skill, and a smattering of youngsters who were out to prove they are viable options to push for a spot among the very best U20 players when the real competition kicks off in Sweden this holiday season.

Players listed:
Cutter Gauthier, C, USA (PHI)

This fella…

Lenni Hämeenaho, W, Finland (New Jersey Devils)​

Taken in the second round this past June, Lenni Hämeenaho led the Summer Showcase in points with seven through four contests. The 6-foot-1 winger saved his best outing for the last where he dropped three primary assists and four helpers overall in Finland’s 4-3 victory or USA White.

He also scored one of the goals of the event during the second day of action.

As an 18-year-old, Hemeenaho was a bit piece for Finland at the 2023 World Juniors and is expecting to play a much more pivotal role this time around.

"I want to be a big player for this team and take a big role," he said. "Get my strengths out in every game and help the team to get the wins."

Hemeenaho:


then the rest listed:
Felix Unger Sörum, RW, Sweden (CAR)
James Hagens, C, USA (2025 NHL Draft)
Anton Johansson, D, Sweden (DET)
Ryan Leonard, W/C, USA (WSH)
Hugo Havelid, G, Sweden (2024 NHL Draft)
Frank Nazar III, C, USA (CHI)
Niklas Kokko, G, Finland (SEA)

Another writer covered the showcase, and discussed Casey, but the little shit didn’t mention our boy lol.

 

[Blackjack]

2024 World Juniors roster projections: Who makes Team Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland?

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, Corey Pronman and Max Bultman make their early roster picks for the 2024 tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden.

theathletic.com

View attachment 734123

Come for the Hams accolades, stay for Seamus Casey cameo

 

[Wierzbowski426]

I am really rooting for this kid. From the talk about him here he skates about as well as I do lol.

 

[Guadana]

Lenni is #29 in white

 

[Blackjack]

Lenni is #29 in white

Why is he playing in the Coyotes arena?

 

[Guadana]

Why is he playing in the Coyotes arena?

The Coyotes are trying to accumulate money for a new arena by rent to Finnish clubs. Entrepreneurial savvy.

 

[Ripshot 43]

I’m sure that I was the only one that used to pick Assat as my team in NHL online. Solely for the playing card logo of course.

 

[Devs3cups]

Lenni is #29 in white

Nice screened shot at 0:15
Nice puck protection and pass to the slot at 2:10
Beautiful saucer pass at 3:56

 

[Guadana]

Nice screened shot at 0:15
Beautiful saucer pass at 3:56

I like what he did at 1-56 and 2-10
Overall its signs of good top-6 forward with very good playmaking vision. I didnt watch a lot of liiga games last season, this year I will spend some time with Lenny. Bardakov holds a special place in my heart among our prospects. And apparently Lenny is cramming into his company.

 

[My3Sons]

I like what he did at 1-56 and 2-10
Overall its signs of good top-6 forward with very good playmaking vision. I didnt watch a lot of liiga games last season, this year I will spend some time with Lenny. Bardakov holds a special place in my heart among our prospects. And apparently Lenny is cramming into his company.

Hopefully the cramming doesn't impact the lemons.