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Niko Hovinen - G - Phi

Qubax

Qubax

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Oct 25, 2002
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What's the upside on this kid?

He's a big fin, 6'7"

He's obviously in tough being behing Bryz and Bob long term.

But can or will Niko come over to the AHL next year and get one step closer?

Any thoughts appreciated.
 
Watching him play for some games, obviously very tall goalie that covers alot but by no means slow. Can have problems with rebounds and to me it looks like his confidence can be shaken abit.. But nonetheless one of the best goalies in the sm-league right now and would like to see what he can do in the north america - thats where he will probably end up next year.
 
Qubax said:
He's obviously in tough being behing Bryz and Bob long term.
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More like it'll be really tough for Bryz and Bob, when he comes over.

This kid is the real deal. Compared to for instance Pekka Rinne, when he left the Finnish league, Niko is 10x better. He always had the potential, but it took him a few years to find the confidence and consistiency to be a legit starter. Since he found his game, he has been absolutely scary. And we have seen a lot of great goalies in the Finnish league, from Thomas to Kipper and Rinne to Bäckström, and Niko seems to be at the same level as those guys were. Niko Hovinen will be an NHL starting goalie sooner than later, I guarantee.
 
Jack DiBiase said:
More like it'll be really tough for Bryz and Bob, when he comes over.

This kid is the real deal. Compared to for instance Pekka Rinne, when he left the Finnish league, Niko is 10x better. He always had the potential, but it took him a few years to find the confidence and consistiency to be a legit starter. Since he found his game, he has been absolutely scary. And we have seen a lot of great goalies in the Finnish league, from Thomas to Kipper and Rinne to Bäckström, and Niko seems to be at the same level as those guys were. Niko Hovinen will be an NHL starting goalie sooner than later, I guarantee.
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Sheesh, considering this guy is the 19th ranked Flyers prospect, sporting a 6.5C rating, this is a pretty bold post.

I'm hopeful you are correct. But, I still see this is as a very bold statement.
 
I went one day to the Flyers' prospect camp when Hovinen was there and it is incredible how much space he takes up in net. In one of the shooting drills I watched, I don't think anyone scored on him. Didn't get to see his lateral movement much, but I'm excited to see how he does.
 
Qubax said:
Sheesh, considering this guy is the 19th ranked Flyers prospect, sporting a 6.5C rating, this is a pretty bold post.

I'm hopeful you are correct. But, I still see this is as a very bold statement.
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Those rankings must be really old. And he really found his game just last years, so before that the rating would be ok.

Sure I was probably a little bold with the statement and there is a lot a difference in NHL and SM-Liiga. But then again most of the goalies who dominated SM-Liiga, have done really well overseas as well. And Hovinen is still only 23, so he has still time to improve. But of course there's always a chance, he'll end up like Mikko Koskinen or Jussi Rynnäs and isn't able to find his A game in North America.
 
FLYguy3911 said:
I went one day to the Flyers' prospect camp when Hovinen was there and it is incredible how much space he takes up in net. In one of the shooting drills I watched, I don't think anyone scored on him. Didn't get to see his lateral movement much, but I'm excited to see how he does.
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He is very Pekka Rinne -esque. Despite having a huge body, which blocks 90% of the net, still moves like someone a foot shorter than him.
 
Lol Jack DiBiase that's some pretty crazy hype.

Finnish posters on this board... :facepalm:
 
Qubax said:
Sheesh, considering this guy is the 19th ranked Flyers prospect, sporting a 6.5C rating, this is a pretty bold post.

I'm hopeful you are correct. But, I still see this is as a very bold statement.
Click to expand...

I doubt Hockeyfuture has seen many games from him this season. He has been the best goalie in SM-Liiga, maybe even the best player.
 
Muuri said:
I doubt Hockeyfuture has seen many games from him this season. He has been the best goalie in SM-Liiga, maybe even the best player.
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I think that Petri Koivisto have been phenomenal this year. Better than Hovinen.
 
thomast said:
Someone stated that he has been best goalie in FEL so far at this season. I disagree, yes he has most NHL potential for sure but he has not been the best goalie.
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My bad. I misjudged/misread your post. But I also think Hovinen has been the best goalie I've seen this season.
 
LatexiKledjut said:
Lol Jack DiBiase that's some pretty crazy hype.

Finnish posters on this board... :facepalm:
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He has size, talent and finally confidence also so there are some really good tools, but maybe a tad much hype for my liking also though have only seen some games where he has played against Ässät over the last two years.

Facepalming, really?

Jack DiBiase said:
But of course there's always a chance, he'll end up like Mikko Koskinen or Jussi Rynnäs and isn't able to find his A game in North America.
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Unless he has injury-troubles like Koskinen and Rynnäs, I think he has a very good shot at becoming a good NHL-goalie eventually.
 
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