RD Julius Honka (2014, 14th, DAL)

[Mister Ed]

He has Red Wings written all over him. A small RHD, which this team eally needs, and with Adam Almqvist most likely being let go, the Red Wings need another puck moving D in their system.

 

[JJTT]

He has Red Wings written all over him. A small RHD, which this team eally needs, and with Adam Almqvist most likely being let go, the Red Wings need another puck moving D in their system.

Yep. I think Tampa, Philadelphia, Rangers or Detroit would be best team for him as all of them are seriously lacking right handed pp qb.

Many teams in 14-30 spots are in serious need of his type of player, so i think it's safe to assume he will go somewhere in that range(I know teams draft best players, not based on needs).

 

[teddy83]

ISS doesn't have Honka even in the top 30 in their rankings.
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=114013

 

[Esko6]

ISS doesn't have Honka even in the top 30 in their rankings.
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=114013

They have ranked only 4 defencemen in the top-30, I am pretty sure he will go in the first round.

 

[biturbo19]

When i've seen him, he strikes me as some sort of bizarre Kevin Bieksa + Toby Enstrom hybrid. There's just something about the way he moves around and "swashbuckles" in all 3 zones that really reminds me of Bieksa. The feisty attitude. But i do see something more like Enstrom's ability to compensate for his lack of size much of the time with a smart active stick and a bit of that offensive instinct as well.

 

[puckfan13]

When i've seen him, he strikes me as some sort of bizarre Kevin Bieksa + Toby Enstrom hybrid. There's just something about the way he moves around and "swashbuckles" in all 3 zones that really reminds me of Bieksa. The feisty attitude. But i do see something more like Enstrom's ability to compensate for his lack of size much of the time with a smart active stick and a bit of that offensive instinct as well.

Love the swashbuckling swagger you mention. That is fitting of Honka, he plays with a swagger and confidence out there for sure.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Whoever drafts him will get to hear their color guy make all kinds of bad jokes.

Like "Honka Honka burning love".

 

[Paxon]

I have to say, I've seen less of Honka than most all of the 1st rounders this year. How does he compare and contrast with Deangelo, on the ice only.

 

[R S]

I love the kid, but I don't see him being a great fit as a 1st round talent. If so, maybe Tampa does it late in the opening round.

 

[Iridescent*]

So where do you guys see this kid going? 20-30? Any chance he's still on the board by 40?

 

[Get North]

So where do you guys see this kid going? 20-30? Any chance he's still on the board by 40?

He'll go 20-25. No chance he's there at 40.

 

[R S]

So where do you guys see this kid going? 20-30? Any chance he's still on the board by 40?

Not likely. If he doesn't go in round one, and that's a big if, he'll likely go in the first 5 picks of round two.

 

[JimboA]

I love the kid, but I don't see him being a great fit as a 1st round talent. If so, maybe Tampa does it late in the opening round.

I like Tampa, and I'd love to see him there.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

geez if he slipped to 40 id be ecstatic, how is he defensively ?

 

[OlWpgJet]

I thought he looked great when I saw
Swift last winter. I don't think he falls out of the teens myself. Fast puck moving defensemen are a premium and he might be the best offensive dman out there

 

[Team_Spirit]

Have heard from someone who's pretty good about Fin guys, Honka is going to CBJ at 16. They are short on RHD on the team and in the system, plus They feel he's the best defensive player in the draft (even over Ekblad) and would feel great about having their future in Honka and Murray. he said CBJ has a top 3 they are going to get one of them even if it means trading up, but he feels pretty safe to say Honka to the Jackets at 16.

Yeah i doubt he will be available after the Jackets.

 

[Starry Knight]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=87135427&postcount=52

So according to a Stars reporter, Nill is looking for Honka to play in Finland next year.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Personally was surprised he was taken this early.

 

[toewsintangibles]

Going to the CHL is a great marketing move for yourself if you're under 6 feet it seems. There's no way he'd go this early if he had stuck in Finland..

 

[teddy83]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=87135427&postcount=52

So according to a Stars reporter, Nill is looking for Honka to play in Finland next year.

I personally don't get this, he won't be getting anywhere near as much playing time in FEL as he would in Swift. And when he goes to AHL or NHL he needs to adjust again to the smaller rink. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Finnpin]

I personally don't get this, he won't be getting anywhere near as much playing time in FEL as he would in Swift. And when he goes to AHL or NHL he needs to adjust again to the smaller rink. Doesn't make sense to me.

Liiga has lots of hybrid rinks. All of them aren't soccer fields. The league is a pro mens league and is physical: very close to North America. The question is what is better for Honka? playing with men or playing with kids?

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Not surprised he went where he did, the draft was wide open after #12 IMO.

 

[teddy83]

Liiga has lots of hybrid rinks. All of them aren't soccer fields. The league is a pro mens league and is physical: very close to North America. The question is what is better for Honka? playing with men or playing with kids?

I think he's better off playing +20 minutes a game in the WHL then coming to Finland. I don't see any FEL team giving him that much playing time and freedom.

 

[Flou]

I think he's better off playing +20 minutes a game in the WHL then coming to Finland. I don't see any FEL team giving him that much playing time and freedom.

I'm fairly certain his hometown team JYP would give him 20 minutes. They did it with Vatanen as well, not to mention the team needs a powerplay specialist like Honka.

 

[bebl]

I'm fairly certain his hometown team JYP would give him 20 minutes. They did it with Vatanen as well, not to mention the team needs a powerplay specialist like Honka.

I really doubt that. JYP love veterans and Vatanen is like only youngster in recent years that has seen over 20 minutes.