truthbluth
Registered User
- Feb 2, 2011
- 7,361
- 6,645
Just imagine if Laaksonen pans out as a true top-4 for us...we'll be stacked for the Cup window. He just needs to stay overseas another year, we can't have another high quality defenseman that we have to protect somehow when we're already going to be exposing Guhle most likely.Over on the Team Finland WJC roster talk thread, they are pretty unanimously slotting Laaksonen into the top pair. Would be great to see him light it up in Vancouver playing with Finland's best group of forwards since 2015-16.
Over on the Team Finland WJC roster talk thread, they are pretty unanimously slotting Laaksonen into the top pair. Would be great to see him light it up in Vancouver playing with Finland's best group of forwards since 2015-16.
Just imagine if Laaksonen pans out as a true top-4 for us...we'll be stacked for the Cup window. He just needs to stay overseas another year, we can't have another high quality defenseman that we have to protect somehow when we're already going to be exposing Guhle most likely.
Oh, I fully agree. I just know we tend to get antsy around these parts when it comes to top prospects and getting them signed and into the pros over here. It's 100% not in our interest to have him in the AHL next year, not in his interest either for the reasons you mentioned. Let him dominate Liiga for another season and a half, and we can start him in Rochester in 20-21 when he'll be safe from expansion.It's not like leaving him cook in the Liiga isn't a bad thing. He's not filled out to an adult playing weight yet. I'm wondering what he'll be like at that 205-210 lbs /93-95 kg range given his height. It's an exciting thought.
Oh, I fully agree. I just know we tend to get antsy around these parts when it comes to top prospects and getting them signed and into the pros over here. It's 100% not in our interest to have him in the AHL next year, not in his interest either for the reasons you mentioned. Let him dominate Liiga for another season and a half, and we can start him in Rochester in 20-21 when he'll be safe from expansion.
You're right...I keep forgetting that expansion only threatens players who are already under contract and playing NA pro hockey this year. Anyone who starts next year and beyond is safe.I thought he would be safe regardless since he's not under contract. But doing what they can to keep him from being poached is fine with me. In limited online viewing, I remain impressed with the skill package. Can we hope that Teemu Numminen can turn up a few more Finns? Wouldn't mind a Salomaki-esque guy or two. Or a Rantanen - not to be greedy or anything...
Oskari Laaksonen signs a two-year extension with Ilves
Well, it looks like it will be a while before he hops over the pond.
Pretty amazing scouting work to pull a gem like him out of nowhere. Most obscure pick we've made since Taro.
Agreed, but just to throw in a con seen in tonight's game: Canada's forecheckers did get the better of Laaksonen three or four times when he had the puck on his stick in the d-zone and sticked or shouldered him off the puck. Too confident or lax in those situations; yes, still poised handler, but those were examples of where it got Finland a bit scrambly.
Mass wouldn't hurt, but I've seen him rub plenty of checkers out while also laying the body this tourney.Yeah, he has edges to round off. I was struck by the thought that mass will help him in some of those situations - he's such a baby giraffe that contact seem to fold him up.
Just imagine if Laaksonen pans out as a true top-4 for us...we'll be stacked for the Cup window. He just needs to stay overseas another year, we can't have another high quality defenseman that we have to protect somehow when we're already going to be exposing Guhle most likely.
Sigh, please nothing serious
Edit...seemingly good news
Happened to me when I was 15, Wheatfield Blades, in a game at the old Sabresland on the Blvd in Wheatfield. 10 stitches, 4 weeks to play again.