Prospect Info: 68th Overall - Samu Salminen

[My3Sons]

This isn’t debate club,

No, it's more like fight club.

 

[RangerDoggo]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Obviously, Salminen has to play in U20 to maintain his eligibility but Tenhovuori playing U20 instead of Mestis is a bit of man among boys.

 

[Devils731]

Devils prospect Samu Salminen's NHL pursuit remains on track, despite less conventional path

“Salminen then debated whether or not to stay in Finland and play a third season at the under-20 level or finish his schooling remotely in North America while playing one season in the USHL (a path the Devils endorsed). For a while, the latter was actually the plan, and Salminen got as far as joining team Zoom calls with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints through a connection to their general manager, Kalle Larsson.

Larsson says COVID-19 was the reason that didn’t materialize.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s a hell of a player and a great kid,” Larsson said. “He would have been big time for us. But that’s just how the world is these days.””

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Devils prospect Samu Salminen's NHL pursuit remains on track, despite less conventional path

“Salminen then debated whether or not to stay in Finland and play a third season at the under-20 level or finish his schooling remotely in North America while playing one season in the USHL (a path the Devils endorsed). For a while, the latter was actually the plan, and Salminen got as far as joining team Zoom calls with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints through a connection to their general manager, Kalle Larsson.

Larsson says COVID-19 was the reason that didn’t materialize.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s a hell of a player and a great kid,” Larsson said. “He would have been big time for us. But that’s just how the world is these days.””

That is an ughh moment

 

[glenwo2]

That is an ughh moment

yeah. Covid really did a number here.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Bumping this thread because it’s been a while, he’s a legitimate prospect and he looked pretty good in the scrimmage today.

For all the talk about his poor skating I thought it looked decent today. A little sloppy but he got around well.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Bumping this thread because it’s been a while, he’s a legitimate prospect and he looked pretty good in the scrimmage today.

For all the talk about his poor skating I thought it looked decent today. A little sloppy but he got around well.

Going to a top NCAA program is his best chance to becoming an average skater.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

this is great for only me, who now might be able to see him in person a few times

 

[MasterofGrond]

this is great for only me, who now might be able to see him in person a few times

now i won't

i was gonna follow that w/ an emoji to convey my semi-ironic despair, but man i forget sometimes how terrible the HF emoji game is

Anyway, gonna be honest, TERRIBLE sign

 

[forceten]

Well, didn't we have another prospect leave UConn? Maybe somewhat weirdly this led to this move?

 

[Guttersniped]

Well, didn't we have another prospect leave UConn? Maybe somewhat weirdly this led to this move?

It’s the circle of life

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Well, didn't we have another prospect leave UConn? Maybe somewhat weirdly this led to this move?

Yeah Shlaine’s going somewhere else.

 

[Eggtimer]

I’m confused here, so is he going to play for UConn or not ?

 

[Forge]

I’m confused here, so is he going to play for UConn or not ?

Yes, seems that way

 

[My3Sons]

Yes, seems that way

His parents forgot to file their FAFSA. Or maybe his guidance counselor forgot to forward his recommendations.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I liked this pick at the time as he was slated to possibly be a late 1st round pick and we took him in the 3rd round. You never know what a player can turn into...I would have preferred for him to be playing for the defending National Champs but he will atleast be playing D1 puck in Hockey East against some good programs. UCONN was playing out of the XL center in Hartford but will be playing in a brand new arena on the college campus starting this year. Gonna have to go try to check it out and see Salminen playing for the Huskies.

 

[Jukurit]

Salminen not on roster for 4-Nations tournament. Probably not a very good sign. Miko Matikka is on roster and he's also NCAA committed.

 

[glenwo2]

Salminen not on roster for 4-Nations tournament. Probably not a very good sign. Miko Matikka is on roster and he's also NCAA committed.

Probably not a very good sign but probably means nothing either.

 

[My3Sons]

Salminen not on roster for 4-Nations tournament. Probably not a very good sign. Miko Matikka is on roster and he's also NCAA committed.

They didn’t take him to last season’s WJC so something happened with him. Maybe he just stinks but he also won’t be attending Denver because of something “admissions” related. There is more to this story but we will probably never know.

 

[Jukurit]

They didn’t take him to last season’s WJC so something happened with him. Maybe he just stinks but he also won’t be attending Denver because of something “admissions” related. There is more to this story but we will probably never know.

If he can't make the team in December then there's definitely something wrong with him. Finland's center group is pretty weak.

 

[My3Sons]

If he can't make the team in December then there's definitely something wrong with him. Finland's center group is pretty weak.

My concern is it's less ability and more something else.

 

[Jukurit]

Salminen isn't on the "main" team or on the "challenger" team for U20 WJC tournament in Czechia. Him playing in NA can't explain his absence since Verner Miettinen (USHL), Miko Matikka (USHL) and Aku Koskenvuo (NCAA) are playing in that tournament. Only other guy missing is Brad Lambert, but he has already played in the past 2 WJC touraments anyway, so probably a lock to make the WJC team. I would assume at this point that Salminen isn't going to play at WJC.

 

[Devs3cups]

Salminen isn't on the "main" team or on the "challenger" team for U20 WJC tournament in Czechia. Him playing in NA can't explain his absence since Verner Miettinen (USHL), Miko Matikka (USHL) and Aku Koskenvuo (NCAA) are playing in that tournament. Only other guy missing is Brad Lambert, but he has already played in the past 2 WJC touraments anyway, so probably a lock to make the WJC team. I would assume at this point that Salminen isn't going to play at WJC.

Any idea why that is? I have to believe Salminen is good enough to make the team.