LW Henrik Haapala - Tappara, Liiga (2012 undrafted)
- Thread starter Eye of Ra
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
If he keeps up like this, I think there's a fair chance someone takes the gamble on him. 2 years in row he has suffered from injuries, so staying healthy this year is essential. Probably small odds to make it in the NHL, but he's got the level of effort that's inspiring.
He actually has 28 points now after the game that finished today.
I watched him quite a bit during last season's playoffs and was completely underwhelmed. It seems like he's managed to figure something out during the summer.
To be a bit more insightful, he's a playmaker who in my opinion has actually had some really impressive puck skills. He also runs the PP and has had quite a bit of creativity.
But really, you rarely see stickhandling like that in Liiga and that's what has stood out the most...
Here's one assist that I enjoyed(golden helmet):
I watched him quite a bit during last season's playoffs and was completely underwhelmed. It seems like he's managed to figure something out during the summer.
To be a bit more insightful, he's a playmaker who in my opinion has actually had some really impressive puck skills. He also runs the PP and has had quite a bit of creativity.
But really, you rarely see stickhandling like that in Liiga and that's what has stood out the most...
Here's one assist that I enjoyed(golden helmet):
Last edited:
https://streamable.com/u3sn
This also was a pretty nice goal(See the slow-mo near the end of what he does with just 1 hand).
But yeah, looking at Joonas Donskoi as a recent example who performed well in Liiga around his age, maybe there's some potential here. He's still young, after all.
This also was a pretty nice goal(See the slow-mo near the end of what he does with just 1 hand).
But yeah, looking at Joonas Donskoi as a recent example who performed well in Liiga around his age, maybe there's some potential here. He's still young, after all.
Hockeyisl1fe
Registered User
- Dec 8, 2016
- 2,368
- 793
Imo the most visible player today against Sweden. I think he has a chance to make it to the NHL as early as next season. He's had very bad luck with injuries in his career, but last summer he got a chance to train 100% and it is showing. Absolutely dominating the FEL this season. NHL comparable would be Mats Zuccarello; amazing hands, vision and playmaking skills combined with great skating. He's small for sure, but his agility makes up for it.
Finished regular season with 15+45 in 51 games.
Barkov seems to think that Haapala might have a chance to make it in NHL: http://www.aamulehti.fi/urheilu/bar...raa-ihan-hirveasti-ei-ole-semmoisia-24339500/
Summarizing some other interviews/articles: seems that they took a long time (years) to find out what was wrong with his hip. Now it's two years after surgery and he's close to 100% finally.
Barkov seems to think that Haapala might have a chance to make it in NHL: http://www.aamulehti.fi/urheilu/bar...raa-ihan-hirveasti-ei-ole-semmoisia-24339500/
Summarizing some other interviews/articles: seems that they took a long time (years) to find out what was wrong with his hip. Now it's two years after surgery and he's close to 100% finally.
Didn't do much but was fairly surprised.. very calm with puck in own end under pressure.. created a nice chance on the pp.. didn't do much 5 on5 but made the easy play and kept it simple.. he was playing with trocheck and bjugstad and bjugstad basically had the puck for that line the whole time so he didn't handle it much. Very quiet but solid simple game
