C/W Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Ässät, Liiga (2018, 3rd, MTL)

[Ippenator]

So you watched all of those games then? Or did you just go and check the box score and make your stupid assumptions?

There are have been so, so many great amazing hockey players who never managed to win the Stanley Cup. I find people like you who let that define a players career quite sad. I think Florida will be good though, Barkov will be very successful and you'll get to eat some crows, once again.

Yes, I did watch all of those games, and he was absolutely phlegmatic and made of stone in those games again, like he is absolutely always in the big deciding games. I wouldn’t dislike him so much unless I would have seen him exactly fail always in the same way in the big games. It is just so clear that it seriously takes him down as a player to me.

Really such a pity as he definitely does have great talent, but none of the truly great players have had such softie attitude that he seems to have at the toughest and most meaningful moments.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

What does Barkov have to do with anything?

 

[thomast]

He has alot of talent but is kind of puck hog. He can force bad plays by himself even when there is free lane to pass open man. I think he is about Teuvo Teravainen level of prospect but i liked Teuvo more than Kotkaniemi. I don’t think he is close to Rantanen. I think he should be picked around 15-30 in average draft.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

He has alot of talent but is kind of puck hog. He can force bad plays by himself even when there is free lane to pass open man. I think he is about Teuvo Teravainen level of prospect but i liked Teuvo more than Kotkaniemi. I don’t think he is close to Rantanen. I think he should be picked around 15-30 in average draft.

I wouldn't worry about the puck hog thing. Sounds pretty normal for a highly skilled junior aged player to be somewhat selfish in the offensive zone, I believe that issue will fade away as he matures (he is one of the youngest players of this draft).

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

Yes, I did watch all of those games, and he was absolutely phlegmatic and made of stone in those games again, like he is absolutely always in the big deciding games. I wouldn’t dislike him so much unless I would have seen him exactly fail always in the same way in the big games. It is just so clear that it seriously takes him down as a player to me.

Really such a pity as he definitely does have great talent, but none of the truly great players have had such softie attitude that he seems to have at the toughest and most meaningful moments.

You realize that in the regular season the games in the fall, winter or spring are equally important? There are no extra points to be had in the end. I don't really understand how can you claim Barkov to be one of the reasons why Florida didn't make the playoffs when he played selke level defense and scored at PPG pace this season. And btw he played injured in those last games, might be a reason he looked "phlegmatic", no? Or that his coach have completely burnt out him at that point? He played absolutely ridiculous minutes the whole season because Florida doesn't have that much depth.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Kotkaniemi is in the company of Puljujarvi, Granlund etc imo. He should come stateside as soon as possible - AHL or NHL next year if his agent knows what's good for him!

Yes, because being rushed to North America has really helped Puljujarvi's career so far...

 

[branch]

Starting to warm up to the thought of the Senators taking him either at 4 depending who is left, or trading back to take him

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

I am also starting to accept that the Canucks will take him at 7. We are in dire need of C and D prospects, so he fills a need either way. His Risk/reward balance may be better than the D left at 7 depending on how things shake out. At least having the option of playing in the AHL if he is ready is a a big plus.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

 

[FinPanda]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

0-1%

 

[Jee]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

cute.

 

[Janne Niinimaa]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

Over Svechnikov absolutely 0% I hope. Over Zadina there may be a decent chance.

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

Bergevin is on a very short leash. I can't see any way he doesn't take Svech or Zadina. He can't blow this.

 

[M2Beezy]

Horvat Kotkaniemi Boeser
Dahlen Gaudette Pettersson

Cmon Benning

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Big fan of this kid's game. He'll be moving up to #5 on my next list.

Is he going to be playing the center of the ice for Assat next season?

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I wonder if Montreal trades back a couple of picks to take him?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I wonder if Montreal trades back a couple of picks to take him?

They'd have to be confident he'd be there. He is shooting up the rankings could be 5 or 6. IMO if they want him they should take him .. but they likely go with Zadina

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

While we are desperate for a C on the big squad we don't need to take a guy at 3 who won't be ready for 3 years.'

I think it's 98% Zadina or Svechnikov, whoever is there...

 

[CodeE]

I'm loving the rise of this kid.

A de facto top 11 featuring: Svech, Zadina, Tkachuk, Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi at forward with Dahlin, Boqvist, Bouchard, Hughes, Dobson and Smith on defense puts the Islanders is a very good spot at 11 to nab one of these kids.

If Kotkaniemi falls to us we might have a long-term #2C to play behind Barzal. If a team in front of us snags him we get a defenseman instead.

 

[le_sean]

What are the chances Montreal wants and takes Kotkaniemi over Zadina or Svechnikov

You never know. Team is desperate for a C, they love kids that play two-way hockey and he’s rising fast. I think they will consider him. We do know Tervainen was high on his list in 2012. They drafted Lehkonen and Ikonen. They are active in Finland.

 

[Lebowski]

I'm loving the rise of this kid.

A de facto top 11 featuring: Svech, Zadina, Tkachuk, Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi at forward with Dahlin, Boqvist, Bouchard, Hughes, Dobson and Smith on defense puts the Islanders is a very good spot at 11 to nab one of these kids.

If Kotkaniemi falls to us we might have a long-term #2C to play behind Barzal. If a team in front of us snags him we get a defenseman instead.

Is it a foregone conclusion that Tavares is leaving?

 

[CodeE]

Is it a foregone conclusion that Tavares is leaving?

It certainly doesn't look promising, especially with persistent rumors the Islanders are looking into shaking up management.

Either way, the draft is before free agency so unless he signs before then, I'd think the Islanders are going to look heavily at potential top 6 centers with either the 11th or 12th pick.

 

[Lebowski]

It certainly doesn't look promising, especially with persistent rumors the Islanders are looking into shaking up management.

Either way, the draft is before free agency so unless he signs before then, I'd think the Islanders are going to look heavily at potential top 6 centers with either the 11th or 12th pick.

Not to sidetrack the thread, but if he isn't signed by the draft, should the Isles start looking to trade his rights?

 

[boredmale]

Not to sidetrack the thread, but if he isn't signed by the draft, should the Isles start looking to trade his rights?

I am not sure I would trade his rights, what I would do is negotiate with teams for a sign and trade deal(ie given them the option of giving him an 8th year). I have to figure if that 8th year is the difference between signing and not signing the Islanders may be able to squeeze a first rounder next year(that or make a deal for a good player that has a high caphit at a lesser value then a normal trade)

 

[Killerjas]

Finnish Elias Petterson 2.0?