Confirmed with Link: 2nd round - #35OA - LW Sebastian Aho - Karpat (FIN)
- Thread starter TheOllieC
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HisIceness
This is Hurricanes Hockey
Aho didn't score any goals, we should trade him for picks now. 
Actually did pretty good out there. Was hanging around the net a lot which is something we need.
Actually did pretty good out there. Was hanging around the net a lot which is something we need.
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
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The Finn fans seemed very happy with Aho. I was more luke warm (and that's not a bad thing). At times, he seemed to turn it on and was noticeable but often, he was measured and careful. I won't say "tentative", but he wasn't going to make a mistake and was in the right place defensively and made the right play, even if it wasn't sexy. Not a bad thing by any means.
Understandable, as it was his first game, and the entire Finnish team was asleep for most of the game, and even though I'd expect him to loosen up a bit over time, I just think that's his style: make the smart, conservative play when called for and jump on any mistakes. I can see why Peters/Francis likes him.
Understandable, as it was his first game, and the entire Finnish team was asleep for most of the game, and even though I'd expect him to loosen up a bit over time, I just think that's his style: make the smart, conservative play when called for and jump on any mistakes. I can see why Peters/Francis likes him.
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- Dec 6, 2011
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I think Boom Boom summed up what I saw in person as well. He definitely seemed tentative at times. Occasionally kind of just finding his way. But he did make a number of subtle plays and generally I liked the position he put himself in that may not have always shown up on TV. You could tell he was smart and skilled, but Finland certainly didn't play great. Others may be able to confirm, but it seemed he got some shifts with Laine towards the end which was nice. All in all, not bad for his first game really at this kind of level. If imagine if he gets in more he'll look even better.
Hokinaittii
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2015
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tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I like what I see in that highlight reel. He's a little "drifty" at times, but by and large he looked good in terms of positioning, decision making, execution. Simply not messing up is a pretty big deal for a player his age at that level. Talent wise, Team USA is much better than an NHL team.
Vagrant
The Czech Condor
Peters is going to love this kid. The way he prioritizes the neutral zone to create odd man opportunities is brilliant. He has this sort of upright skating style that looks like a passive gap and then he just explodes and covers the distance with a poke check and starts the counter rush. He's excellent in 50/50's. He knows where to position himself to create passing options for guys that skate themselves into trouble. A lot of that aggression is representative of how bad he wants the puck on his tape. His entries were pretty decisive and clean as well.
- Aug 24, 2006
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Thank you for taking the time to do this, coming from someone who would otherwise be challenged to get a peek at his play.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I agree with all of this, and crucially this is how he looks against an almost-all-star squad. An NHL team will probably be a little more cohesive than a WC team, but those 50/50 battles are going to be easier against NHL depth players.
The passive-gap thing (what I called being drifty) may or may not work for him in the long run. Teams that see him a bunch of times per year will adjust to attack him if he keeps that up. I'm not worried about it per se, but that's a screw that could use a bit of tightening.
Incubajerks
Registered User
I'am impressed by the fact that's the first time he skated with and against NHL players in a smaller rink.
Vagrant
The Czech Condor
It's interesting to see what they do with that at the next level, because as you mentioned these guys are NHL players and he was still catching a lot of them with the puck in their feet. When you let a guy think he has more time than he does and then you close the distance that fast it's really unsettling. I don't necessarily see it as problematic, though mileage will vary. It's just good to see that kind of controlled aggression in a young player defensively. It shows that he understands where transition offense comes from and believes in it. There will be no buy-in required there. That's probably the most essential form of attack in the North American style game now.
Vagrant
The Czech Condor
That's a good point, because the small ice really magnifies turnovers and bad decisions. There's so much less margin for error and so much less room to skate away from trouble. Making the simple and effective play offensively and then playing strong transition defense is the roadmap he's going to have to follow to have success.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
You can just look at him and see the previous coaching in him. Clearly a guy who has fallen under the wing of some good teachers.
Vagrant
The Czech Condor
Depending upon who you talk to, the coach that just departed from Karpat is one of the fastest rising coaching prodigies in the game. Not just in Finland. Lauri Marjamäki is now the head coach of Finland's National Team at just 39 years of age. He has a track record with developing young players supremely well. It bodes well for Aho's chances on the national level that they spent so much time together.
BB88
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- Jan 19, 2015
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I was really impressed by Aho, I had complete trust on him when he was on the ice and seemed like Marjamaki had too.
He's so quick on his moves, thinks the game so fast and he's calm, he doesn't panic.
What makes it more impressive is that this was his 1st game in NHL rink and right away against all star team, and the team played few days earlier in Sweden so they were still recovering from time difference.
I want to see Laine-Barkov-Aho line against u23 team.
He's so quick on his moves, thinks the game so fast and he's calm, he doesn't panic.
What makes it more impressive is that this was his 1st game in NHL rink and right away against all star team, and the team played few days earlier in Sweden so they were still recovering from time difference.
I want to see Laine-Barkov-Aho line against u23 team.
And you will. Marjamäki confirmed that Aho will play with those guys in the tournament.
bleedgreen
Registered User
I like his body positioning and aggressive stick whenever he's fighting for a puck. A lot. I honestly think he could be already better than TT. He's stronger on his skates imo. Some of the things that came easy to him in over the last year won't work in the NHL but I think he can adjust. Be curious to see if his shot can routinely beat NHL goalies or if he becomes primarily a playmaker.
He identifies his passing options very quickly.
He identifies his passing options very quickly.
Marjamaki is a bit crazy. "I think I'll healthy scratch this guy for the first two games. Then maybe after the third game I'll announce he will be on the top line for the start of the tournament." It's not like he hadn't seen the kid play before...how did he misjudge his contribution so badly?
Boom Boom Apathy
I am the Professor. Deal with it!
- Sep 6, 2006
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Could be a lot of reasons. Maybe Aho was nursing something. Maybe these are "exhibition" games so he was mixing and matching to see what works. Maybe he didn't want to alienate older players but just inserting Aho (who is kind of "his guy" from his FEL team). Maybe he's doing this to also light a fire under some other players. Maybe Aho didn't look as good in practice as others to start? Maybe he's more comfortable playing an "all young" line against team NA who is also young? etc...
Who knows for sure, but there are some plausible reasons.
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The Faulker 27
Registered User
I uploaded some of his best parts from today's game. You be the judge.
Thanks, this is great. I actually like a lot of what I see here. His positional awareness is on point. He may have saved a goal at 0:25... That was a pretty nice play. He certainly has 2 way chops and isn't afraid to jump in on a play or drive the net.
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
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Its Finland, vets are valued highly, even if they haven't earned it.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
I love the play he makes at around 0:25 on that vid. For most rookies playing against NHL vets, that's an ugly turnover. It took Aho about a quarter of a second to decide what to do, and only another fraction of a second to do it correctly.
Also, the rush at around 2:05 where he goes in 1-on-4. Most young guys would just Skinner their way into a pointless turnover there, or dump it to the opposite corner out of fear. Aho made a play that was both safe and aggressive, and he made it work against a defenseman as good as Carlson. I really like that he has that instinct.
The rush that that play starts he also handles very well, sliding to the middle and going to the front of the net to take the pass that Filppula fails to deliver.
DaleCooper
NEVER 4GET
I am pleased to announce that NHL 17 has Aho's potential as "AHL Top 6 F". It also has Pesce scratched for Matt Tennyson.
