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

[kelsier]

Kotkaniemi is ahead in age-to-age comparison, but sometimes you have late bloomers like Borgström. If I remember correctly he had a massive growth spurt after his D season (didn't get drafted) and went first round the next year. Can't remember how height he gained exactly, but it must have been a lot for not getting drafted at all at first. Otherwise I have watched some games from Borgström but can't really tell at this point if I'd take him over Kotkaniemi or what kind of ceiling exactly there is. There's a lot to like in Borgström's when looking at the skill set though. At the same time Kotkaniemi's game seems more physical. Think I'll abstain my vote for the time being. They could both i) turn into top six or even first line centers (if not converted to wing) ii) end up as bottom six players iii) not have respectable NHL careers at all and become regulars in Finland's national team.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I would take Kotkaniemi, which feels weird to say because I like Borgström so much. Borgström had an explosive development, but at the same time, Jesperi is just so far ahead of where Henrik was at the same age, while at the same time having so much room to develop, himself. There's so much projection involved in this comparison due to their age difference, but I find it unlikely that Jesperi won't be able to keep pace with what Borgström's been able to accomplish in the meantime.

 

[1OApick]

Probably Borgstrom, he is a legit superstar in the making

Tjats the thing Borgström may be a superstar (long way). But if Kotkaniemi pans out he may be a low-tier 1C or good 2C. Potential superstar vs lower upside sure bet.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

It's literally just copy pasted from eliteprospects.com. The formatting is handled automatically.

Sorry i probably wasn't clear enough.

Did you just copy each row from each players page or is there some page that has this chart consolidated on one page?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Sorry i probably wasn't clear enough.

Did you just copy each row from each players page or is there some page that has this chart consolidated on one page?

There is a page that has all this info, you just have to work the filters on the league page for Liiga or SHL, or whatever league you're interested in. The filters I used were U18 and all time totals/season. This is why Rantanen is cut off, since he was a U19 player in his draft season.

 

[BL92]

Do people really think that Kotkaniemi or Borgström have #1 C potential? I think there's a slight chance, but I see them as potential #2 C's if everything goes right, Borgström having the edge. A lot could still change, however.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Do people really think that Kotkaniemi or Borgström have #1 C potential? I think there's a slight chance, but I see them as potential #2 C's if everything goes right, Borgström having the edge. A lot could still change, however.

I don't think anyone projects either as top line centers. Projection vs 'having the potential to be' are slightly different though.

 

[lanky]

I don't think anyone projects either as top line centers.

I think Kotkaniemi will be a 1C in the NHL.

If you prefer professional opinions, I'm sure there are plenty. Button and Pronman are top of mind.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

I like him as a prospect too, but hands like Datsyuk?!

His hands are amazing, he has pulled some Datsyuk esque moves in the NCAA. It's another thing to do that in the NHL of course.

 

[thomast]

I like Borgström more. He has unique package. Jesperi is little bit of mystery to me. He looked good in U18 WJC but it was frustrating to watch him playing Liiga. It is tough league for young players but still. I think he should be drafted around 15-30 and Rasmus Kupari 2nd round.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I think Kotkaniemi will be a 1C in the NHL.

If you prefer professional opinions, I'm sure there are plenty. Button and Pronman are top of mind.

I don't think any expert expects a true or 'legit' top line center, at this time. To me, that represents the best ~15-20 centers or so in the league. More realistic projections are 'top 6'. Maybe closer to players like ROR, Couture, RNH, Stepan etc. if he pans out. These are just projections, or saying what might be most likely, not what is possible or not.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I don't think any expert expects a true or 'legit' top line center, at this time. To me, that represents the best ~15-20 centers or so in the league. More realistic projections are 'top 6'. Maybe closer to players like ROR, Couture, RNH, Stepan etc. if he pans out. These are just projections, or saying what might be most likely, not what is possible or not.

A lot of my high ranking of Kotkaniemi is expecting a huge development from him over the next year. I'll pretty much know if I'm right by this time next year. Was his development really impeded by his injury history, which caused him to miss the lion's share of last season, and the off-season before? Is his wonky skating simply a lack of practice and strength, or his he just really untalented at it? We'll find out pretty quickly, I think.

Skills wise I have no problem with ranking him in the ''group after Svechnikov.''

 

[Teemu]

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Muntreal?

 

[BB88]

Watched his Edmonton interview and feels like a smart kid.

Looks up to Barkov from Finnish players, feels like his game is similar to his,
Feels that IQ is a strenght for him,
Skating and the 1st steps on the other hand the weakness.

Basically HF's scouting report from him.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Watched his Edmonton interview and feels like a smart kid.

Looks up to Barkov from Finnish players, feels like his game is similar to his,
Feels that IQ is a strenght for him,
Skating and the 1st steps on the other hand the weakness.

Basically HF's scouting report from him.

Link?

E:

 

[Teemu]

 

[FinPanda]

Nice to see, I was just watching the top 25 results and thought every Finn did well.

 

[boredmale]

Not sure if that helps our hurts him. Part of you hope he flops in these tests so he has room to grow. lol

 

[FinPanda]

He was 6'2 181

 

[lakai17]

Welcome to Edmonton Jesperi.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I like Borgström more. He has unique package. Jesperi is little bit of mystery to me. He looked good in U18 WJC but it was frustrating to watch him playing Liiga. It is tough league for young players but still. I think he should be drafted around 15-30 and Rasmus Kupari 2nd round.

Borgström was late bloomer and he grow 15cm before his draft.
PS Borgström and Kotkaniemi aren't comparable.

 

[scallionjj11]

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Is it realistic to expect him to go ppg in the liiga next year?

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Is it realistic to expect him to go ppg in the liiga next year?

yes. look at what Aho and Vesalainen did in their D+1 seasons