RD Ville Pokka (2012, 34th, NYI; traded to CHI)
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SI90
Registered User
Pokka still has a lot of work to do with his defensive game, it wasn't that visible during the regular season but the playoffs have shown that he has trouble with aggressive forecheck. He makes up for it with his offensive play but he's not a pure offensive D-man so that could be a problem later on. He often gets away with his mistakes because he's paired with one of the better defensive players in the league, at this point in time he absolutely cannot be paired with an offensive D-man. I'd say a year or two in the AHL is necessary to determine whether he can handle the more straightforward NA game.
The Islanders have such a strong group of defensemen prospects I'm sure they will find Pokka the perfect partner to grow with in the AHL. I think the Islanders will pair him with Adam Pelech who's a very defensively sound defensemen and would compliment each other really well.
Regardless I can't wait to get him to North America.
bluechipbonzo
Registered User
Just wait until it's on smaller ice with NHL forecheck coming in on him. Interesting prospect, but need to see him in the AHL in the NA game.
What a season he had in SM-Liiga.
Stats:
Regular season: 54ga 6g+21a=27 +32
Playoffs: 16ga 2g+9a=11 +7
WJC U20:
7ga 1g+3a=4 +7
Awards:
SM-liiga Best Plus/Minus "Matti Keinonen Trophy" (+32)
SM-liiga Champion
U20 WJC Champion
Could also play in World Champiohips in two weeks.
He's been flying under the radar behind Määttä,Ristolainen,Honka and Vatanen but has gotten some respect lately.
Stats:
Regular season: 54ga 6g+21a=27 +32
Playoffs: 16ga 2g+9a=11 +7
WJC U20:
7ga 1g+3a=4 +7
Awards:
SM-liiga Best Plus/Minus "Matti Keinonen Trophy" (+32)
SM-liiga Champion
U20 WJC Champion
Could also play in World Champiohips in two weeks.
He's been flying under the radar behind Määttä,Ristolainen,Honka and Vatanen but has gotten some respect lately.
SI90
Registered User
Great year for Pokka. Isles fans are really happy and excited for him. Kid is true top prospect.
Riseonfire
Josh Bailey! GAME ONE, TO THE ISLAND!!!
- Nov 8, 2009
- 11,394
- 5,411
So Pokka was just named a finalist for Best Defenceman award in the Finnish Liiga.
Won the championship with his team Karpat and finished the season with 27 points in 54 games.
I know what Isles fans are saying about him but lets be real, there's an orange colored filter here. So does anyone else know anything about him? From my POV there's a chance he could be better than Reinhart and Pulock...
Won the championship with his team Karpat and finished the season with 27 points in 54 games.
I know what Isles fans are saying about him but lets be real, there's an orange colored filter here. So does anyone else know anything about him? From my POV there's a chance he could be better than Reinhart and Pulock...
Zaddy
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2013
- 13,062
- 5,859
The guy I wished the Oilers would've picked in 2012 instead of Moroz. Although Moroz is looking better by the minute, Pokka is a RHD who's likely to be a good top4 defender in the NHL. Sure wouldn't mind having him in the pipeline. Anyone know if he's coming over next year or if he's committed to staying another season in Liiga?
Isles beat writer says the nyi must sign him by June 1. If they do, it is likely he will be in north america
SI90
Registered User
Kid had about as great a year as can be as far as prospect development goes.
Played in 92 games this year including tournements regular season and playoffs.
Isles fans are very eager to get him across the pond and into the pros over here.
I would like him to be in Bridgport next yer.
Played in 92 games this year including tournements regular season and playoffs.
Isles fans are very eager to get him across the pond and into the pros over here.
I would like him to be in Bridgport next yer.
Yashin for President
Registered User
Really excited about Ville as well. Just like any other prospect from Europe, can they handle the smaller ice and rough play here? I also think its more difficult for a defensive player coming over than a forward. Just like someone said before, the forechecks are harder and its a smaller rink. Lets see what happens. Isles have some really interesting prospects in Bridgeport for next season. I think starting off with a new coach for all of these prospects is a great idea. Soundtigers going to look like a international world junior team lol.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
The Islanders just have to find a way to make it through next season. A year from now, the defense should actually be a strength. Just have to deal with the growing pains of these young guys for another year(Reinhart, Pokka, Pulock, Pelech, Mayfield, Czuczman, Graham, Donovan, Pedan).
Tons of NHL caliber prospects, but probably only 2 spots available in the top-six over the next two seasons(Hamonic, de Haan, Hickey and Reinhart appear to be the locks). Just so happens both available spots should be on the right side, so Pokka and Pulock are the obvious favorites. Mayfield needs to really take advantage of having the development edge next year.
seafoam
Let It Happen
- May 17, 2011
- 61,487
- 11,024
Imagine that pass right on the tape of Grabner's stick...only for him to miss the breakaway.
Uncle Scrooge
Hockey Bettor
I think he needs a season or two in the AHL just to be fully prepared. I always point out how he looked shaky against NA teams in World Juniors when he was under pressure.
But i have faith he'll be a warrior for Finland for years to come. We need him to be a solid NHL player.
Gongrats on the great season Pokka! Won the FEL championship and U20 gold, doesn't get any better than that. Not many Finnish players can say they accomplished the same.
I agree. In an ideal world he signs his ELC prior to June 1st so the Isles keep his rights and he joins Bridgeport next season to develop alongside a really good set of blue line prospects in Mayfield, Czuczman, Pulock, Pelech and Pedan to get used to the North American style of game.
He might see a few games through the season with the Isles if there are injuries but ideally it would be 2015/16 when Pokka makes his mark. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
Love his game.
Jussi
Registered User
PWJunior
Stay safe!
There is that definite option. The Isles are cheap, they probably don't want to pay the fee to release him from his Karpat contract. We have a serious log jam developing with our d-men prospects, might be best for him to stay there another year, make more money than in the AHL, and then come over to NA that much more physically/mentally mature. He might not get enough ice time with a ton of d-men signing ELC's and starting out in the AHL next season.
This hasn't been confirmed anywhere, just a speculation. But boy Kärpät would have one hell of a defence if Pokka stays and Lehtonen decides to play one more year.
Jussi
Registered User
Isles have paid termination fees for every euro based prospect that they have drafted and signed. Never been an issue. Money is trivial. This kid needs to learn to play on the small ice and he is obviously outgrown his current league so he will be playing in Bridgeport orbUniondale next year.
Yes, I'm under the impression that that's the money that has to be paid for every European-drafted prospect and it's then split between the teams the player has represented in the last 3 seasons. I'm not sure if there's a separate buyout fee at all when it comes to drafted prospects.
I think that a decision will be made whether they're likely to keep him in NA during the prospects camp.
The way I see it, he should be in North America if he's on the big club. If not, send him back to Finland, especially if that's what he wants. NYI will be spreading around RD spots in Bridgeport to Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and Kevin Czuczman. I think playing a lot of competitive hockey as a KEY player is more important than the size of the ice surface.
The 225K is really not the issue, IMO.
The way I see it, he should be in North America if he's on the big club. If not, send him back to Finland, especially if that's what he wants. NYI will be spreading around RD spots in Bridgeport to Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and Kevin Czuczman. I think playing a lot of competitive hockey as a KEY player is more important than the size of the ice surface.
The 225K is really not the issue, IMO.
