Prospect Info: #51OA - Hurricanes select RW Ville Koivunen

[DaveG]

5'11 winger

Was a guy that was on my radar for #27. Rookie of the year in the Finnish league. 10 points in 7 games with the Finns at the U-18s

Will need to continue to develop his skating but he's a high-IQ and high skill prospect that could end up being a steal for us.

Karpat pipeline baby

Click to read more...

 

[LastWordArmy]

Finland has produced a number of strong prospects for this year’s NHL Draft. Playing in the Karpat system, versatile winger Ville Koivunen continues that run. He played in the Finnish Under-20 league this past season and was a dominant offensive force. Koivunen had 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 38 games in the COVID interrupted season. He was named the league’s Rookie of the Year as well as taking a spot on the Second All-Star Team. He also picked up four assists in five playoff games. Koivunen impressed while playing for Finland at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. He put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in seven tournament games.

2021 NHL Draft #69: Ville Koivunen Scouting Report

 

[Unsustainable]

Cool

 

[HisIceness]

We do pretty well with Finns. Let's go!

 

[CandyCanes]

79th on Bob’s list.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

5'11 winger

From Karpat? In the second round?

 

[Appleyard]

Scouting Report: Ville Koivunen - Smaht Scouting

Another good pick. We had him at #30.

Par for the course with your front office though.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Eventual TT replacement

 

[Unsustainable]

Eventual TT replacement

No, 2nd coming of an Aho

 

[FreshSeabass]

 

[Tryamw]

We Like Finns!.

 

[CandyCanes]

No, 2nd coming of an Aho

No, 2nd coming of Teemu Selanne

 

[bleedgreen]

That's a lot of love for a third/fourth line pk'er, but I respect the passion. I get why people like referring to this guys videos, as usual i'll be curious to see the long term results.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Hey, it's a pick from Karpat. That's a good enough place to start in my mind.

 

[Roboturner913]

This guy sounds like early career Teuvo, right down to the skating needs improvement bit

 

[emptyNedder]

I understand why most comparisons are to other Finns, but I think if Koivunen makes it he will be similar to Josh Bailey in both production and overall consistent play.

Koivunen isn't likely to score more than 15-18 goals, but will set up 2-3 times that.

 

[Lempo]

I understand why most comparisons are to other Finns, but I think if Koivunen makes it he will be similar to Josh Bailey in both production and overall consistent play.

Koivunen isn't likely score more than 15-18 goals, but will set up 2-3 times that.

A pass-first Finn is exactly what we need.

 

[Daeavorn]

Aho's dad actually really liked this kid. That certainly makes me feel good.

 

[cptjeff]

A pass-first Finn is exactly what we need.

I dunno, I think we need more players with finnish.

 

[Stickpucker]

No, 2nd coming of an Aho

You know it's a good time when Aho comes twice.

 

[A Star is Burns]

You know it's a good time when Aho comes twice.

Clearly faking. Can't believe you fell for it.

 

[Roboturner913]

You know it's a good time when Aho comes twice.

"It's better than....how you say....not coming twice"

 

[Icejoker]

strange pick why dont they take raty from same club,

from last night

Sweden at Finland - 5:00pm EDT, July 24th, 2021

 

[A Star is Burns]

strange pick why dont they take raty from same club,

from last night

Sweden at Finland - 5:00pm EDT, July 24th, 2021

Because they liked this player better. Bet they aren't swayed by 1 game in summer.

 

[GoldiFox]

Raty has been dominating his age group for his entire life. The Canes are more interested in who will be the better NHLer at 22 than international junior player at 16-18.

Given the Canes connections to Karpat I'm excited when they are excited. And given that the Canes passed twice on Raty and Koivunen to take Morrow and Heimosalmi they probably didn't see either forward as a can't-miss prospect.

I would be really interested to see the Canes board. It wouldn't surprise me if Morrow was #10-15 and both Heimosalmi and Koivunen were in their top-30.