offensive ability still does matter for a defenseman, as you don't want a regular defenseman in your lineup to only have value when they're playing in your own end and without the puck. For Kokkonen, I think he plays a very simple offensive game that pays off the higher level his teammates can play offensively. He's good at making simple plays that keep the offense alive, and he can shoot for rebounds/tips. Unfortunately he plays with players who sort of suck offensively, so it makes Kokkonen a lot worse than he should
No you don't want your prospect to be a Chris "blackhole past his own blueline" Tanev, or Trevor Van Reimsdyk, but there is significantly more value in those types (as they're almost impossible to spot until they're in the NHL than there is a guy like Ryan Murphy, TJ Brennan, or Shayne Gostisbehere, as lack of defense without staggering offense (Rielly) will crush your career.
I completely agree with Kokkonen though. From what I've seen, he's got the ability to do the little things correct. Not only in the defensive zone, but also in the modern day defenseman way of how transition is arguably the most important thing- and it's not something he struggles with. If his in-zone defensive ability is for real, and his transition game stays good [enough], I can see him becoming an Ekholm style of player.
There's a Finnish app that gives you 1 free Liiga broadcast per week with a VPN. I don't necessarily care about the production either, and don't want to knock Kokkonen because I think he has an NHL future, but it's a negative trend worth noting. Every defensive defensemen was once a competent junior scorer. In the CHL, that threshold is usually .5PPG. In the Liiga, harder to say, but definitely not 1 point in 14GP in your D+2. I do agree that he has adequate offensive habits, but i'd like to see more there.
Kral's puck skills and craftiness don't only translate to more offensive output, but make him harder to catch on the forecheck. He's a one man breakout for this reason. I just see that translating better, especially considering neither player possesses true separation speed.
Ideally they both make it because their ability to play both sides would be an asset.
Ideally I'd like to see more production too, but I'm more interested in seeing what he's like while facing men on the worst possession team in the league. His team gets absolutely POUNDED without him on the ice.
[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]2020-21[/TD][TD]CF[/TD][TD]CA[/TD][TD]CF%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jukurit[/TD][TD]389[/TD][TD]510[/TD][TD]43.3%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kokkonen On[/TD][TD]157[/TD][TD]168[/TD][TD]48.3%[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kokkonen Off[/TD][TD]232[/TD][TD]342[/TD][TD]40.4%[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]
He just had a bad game so it took him under 50%, but the point still stands that when Jukurit has Kokkonen on the ice, they become a respectable team. Without him, they're literal garbage.
A 19 year old defenseman playing over 21 minutes per game with a 46.1 OZF% with a 7.9 rel.CF% is crazy impressive. Liiga is arguably a top-5 league in the world, and he's straight up dominating despite his
horrible team.
I know oiSH% isn't a massive excuse or anything, but his is 4.3% is pathetic. Of the 103 defenseman that have played 8 or more games this season that mark ranks T-90th. 3 guys that rank below him are ON HIS TEAM. I don't think it can be overstated how bad his team actually is.
