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RD Ruben Rafkin - TPS Turku, Liiga (2020 undrafted)

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If he's taken around where he's ranked, I think he'll be a big steal. He's been TPS's best defenseman quite easily, in pre-season already with 6 points in 13 games(leading team's Ds, #2 in D scoring had 2 points in preseason) and of course to start the regular season as well. In preseason he was +10 -3 for +7 and in regular season he's now +4 -1 for +3, in addition to having scored 2 points in 2 games.
 
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I think he'll be drafted next year. Already has a good start to the season, could possibly do what Axel Rindell did last season that got him drafted his year. A bit of a bummer for him, but this should light fire under his butt.
 
I bet there will 31 teams that are going to be disappointed they didn't pick him up during the later rounds, he's been solid for TPS so far during the preseason and the first 2 games of the regular season.
 
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He was rumored to go either in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th round. - was ranked 58-100.
But doesn't get drafted.....super confusing.

Did teams forget him or something????
 
I saw someone here say he was a stuck up kid and had attitude problems or something like that, has anyone coma across anywhere that says that?

edit: not in this thread, but in another draft thread I think.
 
SCampo98 said:
I saw someone here say he was a stuck up kid and had attitude problems or something like that, has anyone coma across anywhere that says that?

edit: not in this thread, but in another draft thread I think.
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Nope, simply not true, Spitfires fan that knew his billets debunked that notion.
I feel as if teams forgot about him. Zero reason for him not to be at least drafted with a flyer.
 
Seems odd, but highly doubtful that all 31 teams just “forgot” about him through 7 rounds. They’ve all got databases and files for every player they’ve seen. Their draft lists are long and likely had him just below others they liked slightly better.
 
Seems like the type of player that in a normal season would have received an invite to camp as an undrafted free agent. Will be interesting to follow his progress.
 
Tony Piscotta said:
Named to Team Finland for WJC U20 tournament and enjoying strong first season in Liiga.

Any reason he was not selected in the 2020 NHL Draft?
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According to some scouting reports, he has already reached his ceiling, almost no upside expected. Therefore he is not expected to reach NHL-level. I guess here's a chance for him to prove the scouts wrong. :-)
 
Kaako Kappo said:
But you did make the claim without providing any sources.
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Try searching the internet for "ruben rafkin scouting report". You'll find many saying that he should be a solid third-rounder, all good, but then when you read further you'll start to see doubts about his upside, and the fact that there are defensive question marks, as well as offensive ones (a lot of his points are 2nd assists etc). And to be honest, looking at those clips in those reports, it's hard to imagine how he would actually evolve from here. He is already physically grown up and strong - where is the potential upside going to come from?

But like I said, here's a chance for the guy to prove the scouts wrong. As obviously it was not just the reports, but nobody actually picked him in 2020 draft. Someone might in 2021 of course.

And about the 18 years - I just noticed that he will turn 19 when the games in Canada begin. Just sayin'.
 
Kaako Kappo said:
But you did make the claim without providing any sources.
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He was trying to give a reason why it was a fact that 31 teams passed on him in a 7 round draft. It's 100% true that he went undrafted. NHL teams knew he was 18 but thought there were a lot of better 18 year olds.

Of course he can improve and be a good player. Guys are taken in their 2nd year of eligibility all the time. But professional scouts, right or wrong, definitely didn't think all that highly of him.
 
SwissMountaineer said:
Try searching the internet for "ruben rafkin scouting report". You'll find many saying that he should be a solid third-rounder, all good, but then when you read further you'll start to see doubts about his upside, and the fact that there are defensive question marks, as well as offensive ones (a lot of his points are 2nd assists etc). And to be honest, looking at those clips in those reports, it's hard to imagine how he would actually evolve from here. He is already physically grown up and strong - where is the potential upside going to come from?

But like I said, here's a chance for the guy to prove the scouts wrong. As obviously it was not just the reports, but nobody actually picked him in 2020 draft. Someone might in 2021 of course.

And about the 18 years - I just noticed that he will turn 19 when the games in Canada begin. Just sayin'.
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So by saying he doesn’t have much upside it’s your opinion? Why say “according to some scouting reports” then?
I got to watch every Spitfires game last year and he was clearly the second best defender on Windsor after Corcoran.
 
Mostly a case of scouts opting for raw skills than a polished game, and this does hurt Europeans more. Scouts absolutely consider the fact Rafkin could play the next 3-4 years in the Liiga versus OHL/AHL, and this makes it trickier versus drafting some USHL prospects with great skills who you can let develop in the NCAA for many years, and then they are essentially forced into the AHL route. How do you convince Rafkin to come over for $60k-$90k per year to ride a bus in the AHL in a few years?

It's also why you see a few more European players getting drafted as overagers, as you can see them develop another year and decide how they project, which is easier. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Rafkin drafted next year if he has a good WJC and season in the Liiga.

That said, I like many, was surprised to not see him get drafted this year too. He is physical, and while not huge upside, has skills that project to the pro level at the low end at least.
 
DrSense said:
Mostly a case of scouts opting for raw skills than a polished game, and this does hurt Europeans more. Scouts absolutely consider the fact Rafkin could play the next 3-4 years in the Liiga versus OHL/AHL, and this makes it trickier versus drafting some USHL prospects with great skills who you can let develop in the NCAA for many years, and then they are essentially forced into the AHL route. How do you convince Rafkin to come over for $60k-$90k per year to ride a bus in the AHL in a few years?

It's also why you see a few more European players getting drafted as overagers, as you can see them develop another year and decide how they project, which is easier. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Rafkin drafted next year if he has a good WJC and season in the Liiga.

That said, I like many, was surprised to not see him get drafted this year too. He is physical, and while not huge upside, has skills that project to the pro level at the low end at least.
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I found it interesting that Knazko got drafted in the mid rounds and is playing on TPS's JR team while Rafkin is playing with the big club.....

..... but it shows that teams don't draft players based on current ability as an 18 year old. Knazko has things to do to round out his game, but he has some pro level skills and traits that make him intriguing. Rafkin is solid and "ready" for a higher league, but isn't perceived to have skills that will get him to the NHL.
 
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