C Aleksi Saarela - Lukko, Liiga (2015, 89th, NYR; traded to CAR, traded to CHI, traded to FLA)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I saw this coming, its the Rangers, such an attention hungry franchise we are.

Hope Saarela has a good career, I think he will. Carolina got a very good prospect.

 

[Cane mutiny]

I saw this coming, its the Rangers, such an attention hungry franchise we are.

Hope Saarela has a good career, I think he will. Carolina got a very good prospect.

Thanks, been thinking for a while we needed to get Aho a friend. Very happy about this.



edit: Also good luck to the Rangers on their playoff run. Get another cup ring Staal. You can never have enough bling.

 

[strat1]

Look at that wrist shot. He has a really good technique imo.

 

[tinozz]

This guy has been good one of the best goal scores in FEL if not the best after that awful start to the season i think he had like 2 goals in the first 15 games or somthing

 

[myrsky]

Look at that wrist shot. He has a really good technique imo.

Yes, amazing. If you speed up the video a bit more, it'll look even better.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

This guy has been good one of the best goal scores in FEL if not the best after that awful start to the season i think he had like 2 goals in the first 15 games or somthing

First 17 games 2 + 4 = 6. Last 30 games 17 + 9 = 26.

 

[FinPanda]

 

[Stanleyjub]

 

[TheOllieC]

Wow that's an impressive stat. Aho should be joining him on that list.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Where does he go in a 2015 re-draft?

 

[Stavros]

Early second round, maybe even late first.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

I would definitely take him at #15, possibly earlier.

 

[Ippenator]

I would definitely take him at #15, possibly earlier.

I would probably have to agree with you.

 

[FinPanda]

Aho maybe goes top 15, Saarela somewhere in the 2nd round.

 

[SpinninRodIntoArmpit]

Without the concussion history he could be somewhere around where he was in the earliest 2015 draft projections should the re-draft be done now. Top 10 that is. I'd pick him 15-25.

 

[BusQuets]

Definitely 1st rounder in a re-draft. Always should have been but the concussion history scared some teams a lot is seems.

 

[agent082]

Without the concussion history he could be somewhere around where he was in the earliest 2015 draft projections should the re-draft be done now. Top 10 that is. I'd pick him 15-25.

I think he was top 3 2010-2011. Not sure he would be that good even without concussions.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think he was top 3 2010-2011. Not sure he would be that good even without concussions.

What I think he's missing from being where he was in 2010-11 is that truly dynamic skating and ice vision. He's definitely good enough in both areas to play in the NHL though.

I feel like his goal scoring is elite, maybe good enough to score 30 goals in the NHL. He has the tools to be an elite defensive center as well. People point to his height, but he's built like a brick, no problem in that sense.

Maybe its because he's now a Canes prospect, but I think I've finally figured out a good comparison. He kind of reminds of Jeff Skinner with maybe a notch less goal scoring ability, but defensive ability to stay at center and be very good defensively. I wish this wasn't the case, but the concussion history is also very similar for the two players.

 

[Stavros]

Saarela will play for his teams affiliated junior team for rest of the season. Two games to go before playoffs, I expect him to do some serious damage.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is there a more underrated prospect than Saarela?

He survived another cut for the Finnish world championship team. Currently as it stands, the only two younger players left are Aho and Saarela. Laine should join eventually. It'd be a big accomplishment to make the WC team in his first post draft season.

 

[MMC]

Is he the first/only 2015 draftee to get traded thus far?

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Carolina traded their sixth round pick Jake Massie to Chicago in the Versteeg/Nordstrom trade. Can't think of any others off the top of my head.

 

[JJTT]

Back to Lukko for next season

http://www.raumanlukko.fi/uutiset/2016/04/aleksi-saarela-palaa-kotiin-yhden-vuoden-sopimus-lukkoon

Should have better linemates so I don't think 25-30 goals is out of a question.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

Back to Lukko for next season

http://www.raumanlukko.fi/uutiset/2016/04/aleksi-saarela-palaa-kotiin-yhden-vuoden-sopimus-lukkoon

Should have better linemates so I don't think 25-30 goals is out of a question.

Good for him and Lukko. Being from Rauma I grew up as a fan of Lukko, even played for Lukko until I didn't get picked for the U20 team, I really appreciate that the team has at least a few homegrown players. Maybe I'll bother to watch their games again now that they have Saarela. As you said - and apart from my personal issues - Saarela will most likely have better linemates and will be quite a clear cut #1 C.

 

[Gsus]

Well for sure will have better linemates than last year, but if he had stayed in Ässät it would've been pretty much the same since Ässät actually has couple of good wingers for the next season.

I'm not sure how I'm gonna react seeing him in Lukko jersey, but personally I wish him the best of luck anyways. Flew pretty much under the radar before the WJC's but can win the goal scoring title next season.