Player Discussion Nikolas Matinpalo (D)

[Senscore]

Matinpalo named to Finland 4 Nations Face-Off roster | NHL.com

Senators defenseman replaces injured Ristolainen of Flyers

www.nhl.com

Big opportunity for him

 

[BigRig4]

Lmao no way

 

[R2010]

Matinpalo named to Finland 4 Nations Face-Off roster | NHL.com

Senators defenseman replaces injured Ristolainen of Flyers

www.nhl.com

Big opportunity for him

Good for him. Great opportunity for growth.

 

[NinjaSens]

Happily surprised to see this news this morning. Glad he's getting recognition from outside the Sens fanbase.

 

[Senscore]

Good for him. Great opportunity for growth.

At least until he's replaced by new Finnish citizen Träävis Hamöönic

 

[Tuna99]

nice for Matinpalo. He’s an NHL player now 100% and despite their plumber efforts, I do like watching the Finns play and I have a soft spot for their program.

Brady v. Matinpalo Feb 13

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I wonder if they would have taken Hamonic if he was Finnish

or that's just this coaching staff

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Will be scratched feb 22nd to “recover from the tournament”

 

[thinkwild]

Way to go Nikolas. Hopefully he comes back with new found confidence

 

[Ouroboros]

There's only 11 Finnish defensemen playing in the NHL, so it's not exactly a huge accomplishment. He was their 10th choice.

 

[Larionov]

There's only 11 Finnish defensemen playing in the NHL, so it's not exactly a huge accomplishment. He was their 10th choice.

Jesus - who is number 11?

 

[thinkwild]

There's only 11 Finnish defensemen playing in the NHL, so it's not exactly a huge accomplishment. He was their 10th choice.

Fair enough but hopefully confidence would come from playing well against the top players. Wont be easy.

 

[Ouroboros]

Jesus - who is number 11?

Ville Heinola.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Poor Ristolainen has to be the unluckiest player in the NHL. Has never made the playoffs and now doesn't even get to go to a fun tourney for his home nation.

 

[ottawagm]

Good for him, but now there's no way he goes through waivers if he's getting that recognition.

 

[Boud]

Good for him, but now there's no way he goes through waivers if he's getting that recognition.

It’s not about recognition to be honest he was the only RD that plays in the NHL that’s from Finland aside from the players that are already named to the team.

This is a strictly NHL players tournament that replaces the All-Star week.

Matinpalo got the call because no one else was available, they didn’t pick him over other guys.

That said, it is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do and that might attract eyes on him… and you’re right that if he plays well there teams will take attention and he may not go through waivers.

As of now I think they would waive JBD when he’s healthy and they will keep Matinpalo and Hamonic here. They should waive Hamonic but he’s a vet blablabla.

 

[Cosmix]

It’s not about recognition to be honest he was the only RD that plays in the NHL that’s from Finland aside from the players that are already named to the team.

This is a strictly NHL players tournament that replaces the All-Star week.

Matinpalo got the call because no one else was available, they didn’t pick him over other guys.

That said, it is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do and that might attract eyes on him… and you’re right that if he plays well there teams will take attention and he may not go through waivers.

As of now I think they would waive JBD when he’s healthy and they will keep Matinpalo and Hamonic here. They should waive Hamonic but he’s a vet blablabla.

JBD has not progressed very much in his time here. Matinpalo has played decently and not been a disaster; however, I think Yak is the future 3RD either next season or the one after that. Yak will grow more as he is younger.

 

[ottawagm]

As of now I think they would waive JBD when he’s healthy and they will keep Matinpalo and Hamonic here. They should waive Hamonic but he’s a vet blablabla.

I don't think he would go through waivers. RHD are hard to find, so you could even see a playoff team pick him up if they are short on RHD depth.

I think they should look to trade JBD for a LHD in a similar situation, or a LHD UFA around the same cost (with retention?).