Brock
Registered User
He also received some love on my annual media/scout poll.
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016/06/final-mediascout-top-10-for-2016.html
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016/06/final-mediascout-top-10-for-2016.html
I find it's harder to get a read on guys like this when their teams are so bad.
Looks like he won't be in Saginaw next season, so that's good news.
Eliteprospects has him with HIFK(the best regular season team in the Finnish league last season) for next season.
They landed Puljujarvi and Benson with first 2 picks, so refilled forwards nicely
I complained about Jones/Paigin/Bear picks last year because I wanted all forwards, so ill give benefit of doubt to Chiarelli
I like the idea off gambling on a big defenceman in the third.
There was an awful lot to like in that video. Very calm and makes good decisions.
Agreed. Calm, smooth, great skater, fantastic outlet pass.
Sort of reminds me of a less nasty Nurse.
Idk a lot about this guy, but for me he sure is an additional reason aside from Pulju to become an Oilers fan.
Was it a tactical move to draft 3 Finns to attract fans?
Is it gambling if he's ranked as a first or borderline first rounder in most mock drafts?
The Finns won the WJC and the under 18. They have lots of good players right now
He was ranked 1 spot ahead of Benson in Bob McKenzie's final list at #38. Guy could be a steal for us, very mobile and rangy. Hopefully he adds more mass and strength than Marincin and Gernat did for us.
Idk a lot about this guy, but for me he sure is an additional reason aside from Pulju to become an Oilers fan.
Was it a tactical move to draft 3 Finns to attract fans?
Is it gambling if he's ranked as a first or borderline first rounder in most mock drafts?
An interesting thing to note...he was on loan to Saginaw last season, so similar to Julius Honka, the CHL/AHL agreement likely won't apply to him.
HIFK signed Niemeläinen summer 2015 and loaned him to Saginaw after his CHL import draft becuase HIFK didn't have spot for him in their FEL roster. He could have been assigned to Kiekko-Vantaa HIFK's affiliate team in mestis ( Finland's 2nd league after FEL) and let him play big minutes there but OHL and Saginaw was better option.
Now situation is changed HIFK lost 2 their key defenceman's Yohann Auvitu signed with New Jersey Devils and Joonas Järvinen is looking NHL contract in UFA marketing.
If Niemeläinen wants to play TOP6 minutes in FEL next season he must battle and earn his spot he won't get special treatment just because he's U18 WJC gold medalist and 3rd round NHL draft selection.
HIFK 's head coach Antti Törmänen ( played 50 regular season games in NHL 1995-1996 his NHL team was Ottawa Senators) has good reputation with younger players.
His coaching doesn't based any system or game-plans / game-books Törmänen encourages his players to create their own game-system and point in that is allow the players use their skills and creativity and develop better players.
Best choice for him is staying to Hifk for this season. Törmänen is best coach for youngsters at moment in Finnish league and this kid will have change to play with his upsides for sure.
After one season i think he should be AHL ready to play smaller ice... he is NHL ready 2018 season.
Of course he's a project, he's a 3rd round pick
I worked for the team he played for (Saginaw Spirit). He's a really soft player, and he has a ways to go, but I can see him being a good bottom pairing guy someday. He doesn't do very well under a forecheck, but if he's given time he can be a reliable breakout passer. He doesn't shoot much either and his positioning defensively can be suspect at times too. He's a work in progress but I think there's upside there.
Yeah coming to HIFK would be best choice for Niemeläinen right now.
But is he getting those big minutes what he needs that's the question.
Right now no-one know yet where Niemeläinen will play next season.
He has options to play OHL and HIFK but also there's theoretic chance to AHL.
Niemeläinen signed 3yrs pro contract with HIFK last summer.
So if he comes to HIFK i think HIFK wants him play 2yrs in FEL and then he's ready to come NHL.
But what are Oilers plans for Niemeläinen's development?
If Oilers sign him 3yrs ELC contract in prospect camp and Oilers loans Niemeläinen to HIFK it will burn year or two of his ELC is Oilers ready for that?.