RW Lenni Hämeenaho - Ässät U20, U20 SM-sarja (2023, 58th, NJD)

[MasterofGrond]

Hameenaho was a guy around 2023 Draft time where I saw the skill but none of the consistency to make me think he was worth taking that early. After a good year in Liiga, I'm quite intrigued to see him once he comes over and plays in the A for Utica. Still think he's more likely to be a trade chip when the Devils are going for it, but we'll see.

I think the main argument against him as a trade chip, is that the Devils don't have any f***ing forward prospects, lol

I bet they'd try very hard to trade from the D pool first, even if it's now weaker than it was, simply because they're (hopefully) pretty set on D for at least several years.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think the main argument against him as a trade chip, is that the Devils don't have any f***ing forward prospects, lol

I bet they'd try very hard to trade from the D pool first, even if it's now weaker than it was, simply because they're (hopefully) pretty set on D for at least several years.

I don't even really know if any of the prospects we have left have all that much value besides like Casey (and don't you f***ing dare). Silayev obviously but he's not moving. Gritsyuk would have some but there's the obvious concern of if he'd come over to you. I think Lenni would have to put together another good year. Like maybe Vilen

 

[MasterofGrond]

I don't even really know if any of the prospects we have left have all that much value besides like Casey (and don't you f***ing dare). Silayev obviously but he's not moving. Gritsyuk would have some but there's the obvious concern of if he'd come over to you. I think Lenni would have to put together another good year. Like maybe Vilen

Yeah realistically they’ll be trading picks

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Hameenaho was a guy around 2023 Draft time where I saw the skill but none of the consistency to make me think he was worth taking that early. After a good year in Liiga, I'm quite intrigued to see him once he comes over and plays in the A for Utica. Still think he's more likely to be a trade chip when the Devils are going for it, but we'll see.

I think he was also projected as more of a bottom-six guy. I think he was worth drafting in the range they got him because I think he actually has a pretty high floor. Personally, I would’ve gone with Heidt, but Leeni is a good player.

I didn’t get a chance to watch him much this year, but in his draft year I saw him as an up-and-down the lineup type winger that has good compete, is strong along the boards and is good in front of the net. I think you are right that he could be a trade chip. I definitely don’t think the Devils should value him so much that they don’t use him in a trade for a player that can help them now.

If the Holtz trade is any indication, the Devils have no problem doing that lol

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I think he was also projected as more of a bottom-six guy. I think he was worth drafting in the range they got him because I think he actually has a pretty high floor. Personally, I would’ve gone with Heidt, but Leeni is a good player.

I didn’t get a chance to watch him much this year, but in his draft year I saw him as an up-and-down the lineup type winger that has good compete, is strong along the boards and is good in front of the net. I think you are right that he could be a trade chip. I definitely don’t think the Devils should value him so much that they don’t use him in a trade for a player that can help them now.

If the Holtz trade is any indication, the Devils have no problem doing that lol

He wasn’t drafted as a bottom six guy, NJ had a 1st round grade on him.

 

[Xirik]

He basically skates and plays like a younger Toffoli, if he turns into a 20 goal scorer I'll be happy.

 

[My3Sons]

He wasn’t drafted as a bottom six guy, NJ had a 1st round grade on him.

That can be a very wide range of players though. I'm guessing if they had him rated 29-32 they'd hope for a middle six type outcome rather than expecting a top six player. Still a first round talent.

 

[Brodeur]

He wasn’t drafted as a bottom six guy, NJ had a 1st round grade on him.

For what it's worth, our scouts also said they had a "1st round" grade on Nathan Bastian. But yeah, here's to hoping Lenni can pan out as a middle sixer.

 

[emptyNedder]

One of my pet peeves is the use of top 6/middle 6/bottom 6. Because that would be 18 forwards.
I understand that top 6 means top line potential; middle 6 means a 3rd liner who can play 2nd line when needed; and bottom 6 is a checking type with a little point production.

Still, I would prefer top line/middle six/fourth line.

 

[Guadana]

One of my pet peeves is the use of top 6/middle 6/bottom 6. Because that would be 18 forwards.
I understand that top 6 means top line potential; middle 6 means a 3rd liner who can play 2nd line when needed; and bottom 6 is a checking type with a little point production.

Still, I would prefer top line/middle six/fourth line.

You can use whatever you want, there are no ideal way.
I use top line/top 6/middle 6/bottom 6/fourth line.

 

[Juzmo]

A good first 4 games. Tied team lead in points with 2 (game-winning) goals & 3 assists, while being a +4 & taking 23 shots. Aside from the good amount of chances his line has created theres been an extra bit of physical play by him, and overall feels less sloppy to start even with him going through his military service.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1834973184556208517

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836454942736801812

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837495601174356069

Team has also had a good start again with the addition of some PP-results.

 

[Xirik]

Such a fun player to watch. He definitely knows where to be on the ice to score goals.