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

[Kaako Kappo]

Finnish Elias Petterson 2.0?

How?

 

[Killerjas]

How?

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

And both play a very different game. I doubt Kotkaniemi breaks any records next season.

 

[Zaddy]

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

I don't think he's underrated right now. If anything he is starting to get slightly overrated.

 

[Ippenator]

And both play a very different game. I doubt Kotkaniemi breaks any records next season.

I think he is that talented that he might still surprise some people here next season. Having his father as the coach might also help him get a bit better role and more of ice time. I hope he will be played as a center next year.

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

I mean sure they're around the same height but Kotkaniemis frame is a lot bigger and Pettersson seems much more skilled to me.

 

[lawrence]

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

same height but he has like 30 lbs on him, but different attributes.

Pettersson is pure offence, this one is a awesome 2 way player, not sure if he can dangle like him, if he was a Finnish Pettersson he will be a top 3 pick.

 

[Castle8130]

Similar height, both underrated at draft day, same position, outstanding international performances, both shoot with their left hand

Completely different type of players, but that is very accurate for draft day.

 

[MCDAVIDISH]

I think he lands right at the Oilers doorstep.... The year we need a dman the most. We will take Ty Smith over him at 10.

 

[boredmale]

I think he lands right at the Oilers doorstep.... The year we need a dman the most. We will take Ty Smith over him at 10.

My money is he will drop one of the defensemen down 1 spot(by being picked top 9) so the Oilers can pick them. As an Islanders fan I will be somewhat annoyed since we were going to pick 10th until Carolina won and that most likely means we end up with Ty Smith. lol

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I think he lands right at the Oilers doorstep.... The year we need a dman the most. We will take Ty Smith over him at 10.

It might do good for Pulju too to have another young Finn on the team.

And it might make me rip out my hair watching Oilers mishandle another young prospect.

 

[kelsier]

I mean sure they're around the same height but Kotkaniemis frame is a lot bigger and Pettersson seems much more skilled to me.

Agreed. It would need everything to go right and then some for Kotkaniemi to have equally impressive D+1 season as Pettersson come next year. One of the only advantages Kotkaniemi has right now is size & physical game. His frame looks bigger than most adult's when you watch the FEL games. Then again, Kotkaniemi might have less problems adjusting to the smaller rinks due to not having any weight concerns. Nevertheless, it's difficult to project Kotkaniemi having bigger impact than Pettersson moving forward. Also he has tons of work ahead with the top speed.

Wonder why the Oilers would want him when they are practically loaded in the middle with McDavid, Draisaitl and RNH. I'd imagine that Draisaitl was projected to play center long term no matter the history with McDavid.

 

[Hull Fan]

I'm really hoping the Islanders like one of the other centers or someone falls so they don't take him at 11/12. Dallas desperately needs a legit top six center prospect and this year it seems the top ones should be available when they pick.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I'm really hoping the Islanders like one of the other centers or someone falls so they don't take him at 11/12. Dallas desperately needs a legit top six center prospect and this year it seems the top ones should be available when they pick.

Dallas should be able to land Veleno. If not, then Kupari and Hayton will be available.

 

[boredmale]

Dallas should be able to land Veleno. If not, then Kupari and Hayton will be available.

My 2 cents is Islanders will probably draft 1 Center

 

[Ippenator]

Dallas should be able to land Veleno. If not, then Kupari and Hayton will be available.

I seriously doubt that Kupari will ever be an NHL center. He might though become a pretty good grinding winger, if his development goes well. He just does not have much of natural playmaking skills or very high hockey IQ, so that is why I doubt that he will ever be an NHL caliber center. His skating and dangling skills are great though, and his average hockey IQ should be enough for him to become a good and speedy grinder, if his development goes well.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I seriously doubt that Kupari will ever be an NHL center. He might though become a pretty good grinding winger, if his development goes well. He just does not have much of natural playmaking skills or very high hockey IQ, so that is why I doubt that he will ever be an NHL caliber center. His skating and dangling skills are great though, and his average hockey IQ should be enough for him to become a good and speedy grinder, if his development goes well.

Yeah I'm not high on him, just saying he'll be available.

 

[BB88]

Is there any way to get a highlight video of his u18 tourney?

 

[M2Beezy]

same height but he has like 30 lbs on him, but different attributes.

Pettersson is pure offence, this one is a awesome 2 way player, not sure if he can dangle like him, if he was a Finnish Pettersson he will be a top 3 pick.

Pettersson is EXCELLENT in his own zone. One of his best qualities which is nuts cause we know how great his offence is. If we somehow add Kotkaniemi to our weaponry i will be one happy dude

 

[lawrence]

Pettersson is EXCELLENT in his own zone. One of his best qualities which is nuts cause we know how great his offence is. If we somehow add Kotkaniemi to our weaponry i will be one happy dude

That is true as he was only on the ice for like 14 5v5 goals but his comparison is a good 2line player similar to Horvat and gaudette, not liking the idea of another 2 way centreman unless he has 1st line upside.

 

[BL92]

Pronman ranked him #4 in the upcoming draft, a little too high if you ask me. He stands a chance of becoming a solid top 6 C though, so I'm excited.

 

[derriko]

Pronman ranked him #4 in the upcoming draft, a little too high if you ask me. He stands a chance of becoming a solid top 6 C though, so I'm excited.

I’ve read so much hype about him post draft lottery.

I’m not against astronomical risers, but when they are jumping up the charts when the season is over and most hockey is done, I get skeptical. What has changed now to when he was actually playing hockey? Is he getting too much love because he’s the only good center prospect in the top ~10?

Does he realistically have the offensive skill set to put up 70 point seasons? (which is a top line center to me, and what I would want out of a good draft’s top 5.)

I would be disappointed if Ottawa took him at #4 and his potential is a 2C...however likely he is to reach that spot.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I think if he was pegged as a sure fire 70pt 1C he's be in the top 3 of the Draft and more widely ranked there.

 

[BL92]

I’ve read so much hype about him post draft lottery.

I’m not against astronomical risers, but when they are jumping up the charts when the season is over and most hockey is done, I get skeptical. What has changed now to when he was actually playing hockey? Is he getting too much love because he’s the only good center prospect in the top ~10?

Does he realistically have the offensive skill set to put up 70 point seasons? (which is a top line center to me, and what I would want out of a good draft’s top 5.)

I would be disappointed if Ottawa took him at #4 and his potential is a 2C...however likely he is to reach that spot.

I think this is the case.

He should be 2C material, he'd easily go top 5 if he showed more potential. It's difficult to say his draft number, on one hand centermen are always needed and he seems like the best one, but on the other he isn't that amazing.

 

[The Moose is Loose]

I'm really hoping the Islanders like one of the other centers or someone falls so they don't take him at 11/12. Dallas desperately needs a legit top six center prospect and this year it seems the top ones should be available when they pick.

Not a chance he'll be there at 13