World Junior Thread II

[Fogelhund]

Hirvonen is becoming one of my favourite prospects in the system. Really impressed with his pest game and work rate to compliment his high IQ and passing. Reminds me of a smarter, more engaged Grundstrom with better passing. His game is tailored for NA hockey; I think he'll have a long NHL career.

My tournament scores:

• Niemela (A): tournament standout. Lead the tourney in points for D and was arguably the best overall D, at worst top 5. Big breakout showing. There's something special here.
• Hirvonen (B+): see above. One of the shots-on-goal leaders in the tourney as a playmaker. Called one of the key leaders by his coach. Two high-profile clutch goals and an assist in the bronze medal game. If he converted on more of his chances earlier in the tourney, i'd have no problem giving him an A-.
• Amirov (B): lead Russia in points while being one of their top PKers. Entire team underperformed offensively yet he still lead the team statistically. Nothing bad to point out, but admittedly wanted to see a bit more of a offensive driver.
• Akhtyamov: (B): .944sv% in 1GP, barely played, but looked steady behind Askarov. Can't criticize anything here.
  
• Abramov (B-): suspended and benched (IMO undeservedly so). If he played more he'd be ranked higher because he showed glimpses of dynamic offense and transition play. At times he looked like the best forward on this list, but didn't bring it consistently enough due to coaching and penalties.
• Kokkonen (C+): clearly a leader loved by the coaching staff. Handled tough defensive assignments, was a shot block machine, and posted impressive controlled breakout numbers. Didn't love his handling of the puck and thought a guy with 155GP in the Liiga (who has been playing already this year) would stand out more and look quicker than he did, but nothing major. I think his NHL future is a quiet, safe, 3rd pair D.

I think your judgement of Koka Kola was a bit harsh. He played his game very well, and got quite a bit of ice time. It doesn’t show because he isn’t an offensive force. He was one of the top three players for Finland when given awards... which was weird to me but...

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I think whenever you gauge a prospect like Kokkonen you need to account for what kind of prospect he is. If he ever makes the NHL he's going to be a steady bottom pairing PK defenceman. But you can't just knock him for never scoring more than 20 points a season for example.

 

[stickty111]

Hirvonen is becoming one of my favourite prospects in the system. Really impressed with his pest game and work rate to compliment his high IQ and passing. Reminds me of a smarter, more engaged Grundstrom with better passing. His game is tailored for NA hockey; I think he'll have a long NHL career.

My tournament scores:

• Niemela (A): tournament standout. Led the tourney in points for D and was arguably the best overall D, at worst top 5. Big breakout showing. There's something special here.
• Hirvonen (B+): see above. One of the shots-on-goal leaders in the tourney as a playmaker. Called one of the key leaders by his coach. Two high-profile clutch goals and an assist in the bronze medal game. If he converted on more of his chances earlier in the tourney, i'd have no problem giving him an A-.
• Amirov (B): led Russia in points while being one of their top PKers. Entire team underperformed offensively yet he still led the team statistically. Nothing bad to point out, but admittedly wanted to see a bit more of an offensive driver.
• Akhtyamov: (B): .944sv% in 1GP, barely played, but looked steady behind Askarov. Can't criticize anything here.
  
• Abramov (B-): suspended and benched (IMO undeservedly so). If he played more he'd be ranked higher because he showed glimpses of dynamic offense and transition play. At times he looked like the best forward on this list, but didn't bring it consistently enough due to coaching and penalties.
• Kokkonen (C+): clearly a leader loved by the coaching staff. Handled tough defensive assignments, was a shot block machine, and posted impressive controlled breakout numbers. Didn't love his handling of the puck and thought a guy with 155GP in the Liiga (who has been playing already this year) would stand out more and look quicker than he did, but nothing major. I think his NHL future is a quiet, safe, 3rd pair D.

Very well done.

 

[francis246]

I think whenever you gauge a prospect like Kokkonen you need to account for what kind of prospect he is. If he ever makes the NHL he's going to be a steady bottom pairing PK defenceman. But you can't just knock him for never scoring more than 20 points a season for example.

Kokkonen is the exact type of defenseman we need. We have a lot of the flashy high tempo skating defenseman in the system.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Kokkonen is the exact type of defenseman we need. We have a lot of the flashy high tempo skating defenseman in the system.

Exactly. Solid defensive player who is good on the Pk and blocks a ton of shots. Also pretty good in transition

 

[Knies iT]

I think your judgement of Koka Kola was a bit harsh. He played his game very well, and got quite a bit of ice time. It doesn’t show because he isn’t an offensive force. He was one of the top three players for Finland when given awards... which was weird to me but...

I think whenever you gauge a prospect like Kokkonen you need to account for what kind of prospect he is. If he ever makes the NHL he's going to be a steady bottom pairing PK defenceman. But you can't just knock him for never scoring more than 20 points a season for example.

That's fair. Even with that context, for his experience level and the fact that he's coming into this tourney warm (20+ mpg), I expected a bit more presence from him. Couldn't care less about his points because, like you said, that's not his game. Yet you look at a guy like Viro - started shaky early on and plays a similar defensive game - but took charge on breakouts and played with a bit more confidence with the puck. I guess you could argue Kokkonen's risk adverse play was a necessary factor on that blue line, though.

Thought it was a positive tournament for Kokkonen, but having watched him a few times in Liiga, I think he could have been more of a driver. Could totally see any grading from C+ to B. He's capable of more IMO.

 

[Nineteen67]

Consolation game is over. Bring on the big boys.

 

[stickty111]

That's fair. Even with that context, for his experience level and the fact that he's coming into this tourney warm (20+ mpg), I expected a bit more presence from him. Couldn't care less about his points because, like you said, that's not his game. Yet you look at a guy like Viro - started shaky early on and plays a similar defensive game - but took charge on breakouts and played with a bit more confidence with the puck. I guess you could argue Kokkonen's risk adverse play was a necessary factor on that blue line, though.

Thought it was a positive tournament for Kokkonen, but having watched him a few times in Liiga, I think he could have been more of a driver. Could totally see any grading from C+ to B. He's capable of more IMO.

Thats a fair point. There is more offensive potential that he lets on IMO, but doesn't use it either because of his role like over here, or because of Jukurit who are straight garbage. He showed it in spurts but elected for the safe play in this tourny a lot.
Good thing is I think his defensive game is good enough to make him a 3rd pair PK guy. Anything more is up in the air.

 

[4thline]

Thought it was a positive tournament for Kokkonen, but having watched him a few times in Liiga, I think he could have been more of a driver. Could totally see any grading from C+ to B. He's capable of more IMO.

He definitely showed flashes. A couple times in the Bronze medal (when Askarov poke checked him for one) something just seemed to click and he imposed his will for a sequence. Definitely seemed to be a mindset rather than a lack of ability.

I think people would be speaking more favourably of his performance if he were a right shot RHD, and be hoping that he could be the quiet steady Rielly partner if he maxed out, where on the left he just kind of blends in.

 

[4thline]

I hope Amirov was either hurt or learned his lesson in this one. Throughout the medal round it was frustrating to watch. He was playing way too cerebral and passive for the talent level of this team. I think his game lends itself well to playing pro, and I understand getting frustrated at scrambly play of the russians and lack of puckmoving defenders, but I was really disappointed that he (seemingly) checked out rather than putting his head down and grabbing the game by the balls.

 

[MattySnipes]

I'm happy the Leafs prospects got to be part of the final 4. Great experience and I got to see a lot of them.

I'm excited about Niemelä, Amirov, Hero, and Abramov.

Kokkonen - I liked his game and he might still need more time but he could be useful in a few years.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Was disappointed it seemed that Amirov got benched for much of the 3rd. Chinakhov took his place on the line with Abramov most of that period, and they didn't put him out there late when they had 12 other guys out there for 2 separate 6 on 5 opportunities. But outside of a couple early chances he didn't seem all that engaged to me. Probably just a bad game.

Happy Finland won though. Niemela looks great, and while I don't love all the stick penalties he seemed to get early Hirvonen really impressed me as the tournament wore on too. Kokkonen looked solid in his role as well, had a chuckle at the 3 consecutive shots on goal he had in the 2nd period.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Was disappointed it seemed that Amirov got benched for much of the 3rd. Chinakhov took his place on the line with Abramov most of that period, and they didn't put him out there late when they had 12 other guys out there for 2 separate 6 on 5 opportunities. But outside of a couple early chances he didn't seem all that engaged to me. Probably just a bad game.

He played 5:00 about half a second less than the second period. Poor coaching decision didn't have him on for the last minute or so as is usual for him. Russians gave up.

 

[Nineteen67]

I wish Nick Robertson was playing in this game.

 

[Nineteen67]

You could see that coming

 

[Fogelhund]

Get stuck in your zone too long, get tired, that is what happens.

 

[Canada4Gold]

He played 5:00 about half a second less than the second period. Poor coaching decision didn't have him on for the last minute or so as is usual for him. Russians gave up.

Perhaps he was moved to the 3rd line then. I noticed Chinakhov was out there with Abramov almost every shift.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Canada is totally chasing this game.

 

[Nineteen67]

That’s bad when you can’t break out against air.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Perhaps he was moved to the 3rd line then. I noticed Chinakhov was out there with Abramov almost every shift.

Chinakhov played slight over 6 and a half minutes. He probably took ice away from Amirov.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Tourigny is probably giving the boys an ear full in intermission. That period won't cut it. Real waste of an otherwise god tier tournament if you play the GMG like this.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Tourigny is probably giving the boys an ear full in intermission. That period won't cut it. Real waste of an otherwise god tier tournament if you play the GMG like this.

For real. They played that period like they were surprised the Americans are good lol

 

[TMLegend]

I don't see the hype with Byfield. Admittedly, I didn't watch him in Sudbury last year but man he looks slow and ineffective. Wonder if he just dominated kids in junior because of his size.

 

[Nineteen67]

So much better game than had the Fins won last night.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I wish Nick Robertson was playing in this game.

Yes and no. I think he would have been an absolute monster, but I also really want Canada to win (for obvious reasons).