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

[SwissMountaineer]

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.

Fine, here are some snippets from actual scouting reports for you. I'm quoting from this link: Ruben Rafkin: 2020 NHL Draft Prospect Profile; Well-Traveled Defender

"On top of this, Rafkin only had 67 shots on net in 59 games. That is a rather low amount of shots. I understand he was transitioning to a new league, but these stats do not really reflect someone who could be an offensive defenseman. Which is fine; not every prospect is offensive. But it should be kept in mind when considering what his upside may be."

and

"That said, the concerns seem to be big enough to not rank him highly at all. How a player reads and reacts to a situation is crucial for any player looking to make it to the next level. That seems to be an issue with Rafkin. As does playing under pressure and not being where he needs to be at times. Those could substantial issues that limits his upside."

and

"Otten just notes that he thinks Rafkin (and Sebrango) are fine defenders at this point of their lives and project to be defensemen at the next level. However, Otten does note that Rafkin’s upside is limited and a part of that includes concerns about his offense."

and

"That consistency is an issue furthers the thought that he could be available in the middle of the draft. It is acknoweldged that he has some nice tools, which were covered in the other bits in this post. But if he (or any prospect) is not able to do it consistently and it is not perceived they have a lot of upside, then that will greatly impact where they are selected."

and

"Rafkin strikes me as a prospect that will get drafted but definitely in the middle rounds. The lack of considerable upside combined with some real concerns about how he plays defense on the ice are the main causes."

and

"After last year’s draft class, the Devils have plenty of defensemen in the system with who do not have much of an offensive upside and they are not at all guaranteed to make it to the next level. Rafkin would be a continuation of that."

So no, I didn't make this all up based on my own opinion.

 

[Mestaruus]

Last draft he didn't get drafted and many were surprised about that fact. Do you guys think that he might get drafted in the next draft? He's produced quite well in Liiga regular season. 48 GP, 16 points, +/- +10.

 

[JoshTessler]

Just published a report on Ruben. I do believe that he will get drafted this year. Check out my report and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

Is now in his second Liiga season and likely to play for Finland once again at the WJC. Is there any specific flaw in his game that has prevented him from being drafted or is his upside just limited to that of a solid Liiga player?

 

[JJTT]

Is now in his second Liiga season and likely to play for Finland once again at the WJC. Is there any specific flaw in his game that has prevented him from being drafted or is his upside just limited to that of a solid Liiga player?

He should get drafted, no idea why he hasn't, limited upside yes, but there is far worse players drafted every year.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

How was he in playoffs for TPS?

 

[MS]

It's bizarre that this player hasn't been drafted in either of the last two drafts. You'd think surely he will be taken somewhere in the mid-rounds this time.

Like, if he'd been taken in the 3rd round in 2020 his development curve since would look excellent.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Yes, he deserved to be drafted in 2020 and especially 2021. Logically, if he wasn't last year, he won't be this year.

Player not drafted by slip because he has no particular strong point.

I would be a franchise, I would put it aside because it does not have a convincing evolution this year and because there remains one year of eligibility to see.