Confirmed with Link: Canes sign Saarela to ELC

Roboturner913

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Incredible talent this guy has. Looking at his shooting skill, and skating, there's not much that 19-year-old Skinner had that he doesn't have right now at 19.
 

ijuka

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During the world jrs in late december, they had the shooting contest where Saarela shot at 93 MPH. It's possible he's improved since then.
 

urho

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During the world jrs in late december, they had the shooting contest where Saarela shot at 93 MPH. It's possible he's improved since then.

He most defilately has. He used to have an elite wrist shot. I think we can say his slapshot is the same tier as of now. We'll see.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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Incredible talent this guy has. Looking at his shooting skill, and skating, there's not much that 19-year-old Skinner had that he doesn't have right now at 19.

Shooting skill, maybe. Skating though, I'm not so sure, but frankly, I haven't seen enough of Saarela to really say for sure. Skinner's edgework, from a skating standpoint is borderline elite, if not elite. When he's most effective, he uses that to maneuver around guys and also in tight spaces to find open spots to get his shot off. Lots of guys have good shots/shooting skill, but in the NHL, it's about finding the open space to get that shot off. I'm not saying Saarela doesn't have that, but I don't see a similar skating style and edgework that Skinner has which is/was a big part of him being effective.

The other piece of it is instincts and anticipation. When I watch a replay of a Skinner goal, I watch the play leading up to the goal. He, many times, just instinctively knows where to be on a rebound, or some other play and it appears that the puck just "seems" to find his stick, when in reality, he anticipated where it was going to end up or where the open space would be so someone can get him the puck.
 

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With hindsight, a 19-year-old Skinner makes any team's NHL roster. Saarela probably won't make this team's forward group this year, as mediocre as that group is likely to be. That means that the two aren't anywhere near the same level at similar ages.
 

NotOpie

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With hindsight, a 19-year-old Skinner makes any team's NHL roster. Saarela probably won't make this team's forward group this year, as mediocre as that group is likely to be. That means that the two aren't anywhere near the same level at similar ages.

I believe there's likely to be more competition for the spot we've gifted to Aho than some think. Gauthier, Saarela, maybe even Wallmark are all going to be pushing hard for a roster spot. And don't forget that Phil Di Giuseppe probably cemented his "call up" with his camp and pre-season play.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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I believe there's likely to be more competition for the spot we've gifted to Aho than some think. Gauthier, Saarela, maybe even Wallmark are all going to be pushing hard for a roster spot. And don't forget that Phil Di Giuseppe probably cemented his "call up" with his camp and pre-season play.

If the "we" is we here on HF, I don't think we him gifted anything. The words coming from Peters and Francis have been pretty direct in that they think he'll be in the NHL this coming season so that's where it comes from. Of course, anything can happen, but I don't think there is as much competition as you think. To put it succinctly, while I'll never say never, I'll be very surprised if Gauthier, Saarela or Walmark are on the roster over Aho. I think PDG will likely be on the roster as well, unless he is victim of the numbers game.
 

Brock Anton

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I believe there's likely to be more competition for the spot we've gifted to Aho than some think. Gauthier, Saarela, maybe even Wallmark are all going to be pushing hard for a roster spot. And don't forget that Phil Di Giuseppe probably cemented his "call up" with his camp and pre-season play.

Aho is about as close to a lock as one can be. Aside from PDG, none of those guys are going to be in the NHL anyways. Nor should they be.
 

NotOpie

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If the "we" is we here on HF, I don't think we him gifted anything. The words coming from Peters and Francis have been pretty direct in that they think he'll be in the NHL this coming season so that's where it comes from. Of course, anything can happen, but I don't think there is as much competition as you think. To put it succinctly, while I'll never say never, I'll be very surprised if Gauthier, Saarela or Walmark are on the roster over Aho. I think PDG will likely be on the roster as well, unless he is victim of the numbers game.

The "we" is both the fanbase and the team. I'm absolutely aware of Peters and Francis' comments. I'm also aware of just how excellent he's played for the last 14 months. My comment was more about the other kids who are going to be pushing hard.

PDG is the only roster player from last season who has options to go down to Charlotte and not face waivers. If the Goat or Aleksi, or Lucas outplay Aho (which may happen but I strongly doubt it) or at worst play well enough to get serious consideration. I believe Francis wouldn't be afraid to pull a minor trade that would open up a spot. But even with that said, I also think Aho will make the team, I'm still curious about those other guys given I think THEY believe they are ready.

It's gonna be an interesting camp.
 

Roboturner913

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With hindsight, a 19-year-old Skinner makes any team's NHL roster. Saarela probably won't make this team's forward group this year, as mediocre as that group is likely to be. That means that the two aren't anywhere near the same level at similar ages.

Oh, I'm not trying to say he's ready for the NHL right now like Skinner was, I'm just saying in terms of talent level, he's there. Skinner had the advantage of understanding the N.A. style of play whereas Saarela will have to make a pretty major transition yet.

In terms of his skating, from everything I read that's pretty much what he was known for and that was like the first thing mentioned in all his scouting reports. I don't think it's really fair to make a direct comparison to Skinner because A) he's different style-wise, and B) there aren't many NHLers right now (if any) that can do the unique things Skinner does. But I would not be surprised if the overall talent level is really, really close, and I don't think Saarela's not making the team this year should really be viewed as a "failure" because he does have to adapt to a different style of play.

It will be really interesting to see if Aho and Saarela have some instant chemistry early on. I could see them basically forcing their way onto the team as kind of a package deal.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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The "we" is both the fanbase and the team. I'm absolutely aware of Peters and Francis' comments. I'm also aware of just how excellent he's played for the last 14 months. My comment was more about the other kids who are going to be pushing hard.

PDG is the only roster player from last season who has options to go down to Charlotte and not face waivers. If the Goat or Aleksi, or Lucas outplay Aho (which may happen but I strongly doubt it) or at worst play well enough to get serious consideration. I believe Francis wouldn't be afraid to pull a minor trade that would open up a spot. But even with that said, I also think Aho will make the team, I'm still curious about those other guys given I think THEY believe they are ready.

It's gonna be an interesting camp.

Depending on how team Finland does in the World Cup, Aho may not even be here for much of training camp so it's going to be difficult for others to outplay him, per se.

I do agree though, it's going to be good to see all these guys pushing for a spot, I just think it's very unlikely anyone but Aho and PDG, of the guys you listed, are going to be on the opening night roster (injuries not withstanding).
 

Bridgeburner96

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Roy would also push for a spot like Gauthier, Saarela, and Wallmark. I agree all of those guys should be at least close to making the team if the org is open to it. The reason I don't think those guys are particularly likely to make the team is that the org will probably opt to not burn a contract year and let those guys continue to develop at the lower levels. It's too bad guys like Gauthier and Roy can't play in Charlotte this year because I think that would be the best place for them this year. Saarela too for that matter, but I expect he'll play for Lukko this year if he doesn't make the team.
 

HockeyHistorian

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I think Saarela is a legitimate first line C in the Finnish league at the moment and if he makes it to the NHL, Lukko is left in a pretty bad situation. Not that it matters much from the player's perspective (or at all from the Canes' perspective). Saarela could play NHL this season, but I think he would benefit more from thriving in the Finnish league than surviving in the NHL.
 

bleedgreen

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Roy and Gauthier are not nearly polished enough yet to be counted on unless the blow they doors off in camp.

Saarela is better off taking another year to develop back home, unless he does the same. I don't see a spot for him right now.
 
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NotOpie

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Depending on how team Finland does in the World Cup, Aho may not even be here for much of training camp so it's going to be difficult for others to outplay him, per se.

I do agree though, it's going to be good to see all these guys pushing for a spot, I just think it's very unlikely anyone but Aho and PDG, of the guys you listed, are going to be on the opening night roster (injuries not withstanding).

BBA, I had forgotten the "calendar" thing but the gist of my point was that there are other guys who are going to be doing more that "going through the motions" and "showing for next year". I think Gauthier, especially, is going to open some eyes and I would not be surprised at to see him get his 9 game preview.

The real competition in my eyes could end up being between PDG, Bickell, and Stalberg for whatever role on the 4th line materializes. If Di Giuseppe has a camp like last season and/or shows like he did during last season, it is going to be tough to keep him out of the line up. It will be interesting to see what happens with Jay McClement. He definitely slowed down and took a step back last season. The organization seem to be pretty high on Patrick Brown so he might have a say so in that 4C battle, but Brownie isn't much as faceoffs and that's going to be a requirement of anybody who boots Jay from his role. Perhaps Nordstrom and/or Nestrasil can be added to that mix as well, but I think Peters likes those guys with Jordan until something changes with that line's chemistry.

Roy would also push for a spot like Gauthier, Saarela, and Wallmark. I agree all of those guys should be at least close to making the team if the org is open to it. The reason I don't think those guys are particularly likely to make the team is that the org will probably opt to not burn a contract year and let those guys continue to develop at the lower levels. It's too bad guys like Gauthier and Roy can't play in Charlotte this year because I think that would be the best place for them this year. Saarela too for that matter, but I expect he'll play for Lukko this year if he doesn't make the team.

But even with my feelings about the Goat making a push to make the team, I think that contract situation will win out. It will be a frustrating year for Roy especially, who really came into his own this past season. I expect he'll get a hearty pat on the back and get sent back to the Q with the admonition of "keep fixing your skating". Saarela probably will open eyes, but in the end I agree with other posters, he's got a very good chance to be a league-wide stud in Finland and that may do more for his overall development than anything at the moment.

In the end contracts are going to come into play, big time. While we don't face anything of a salary cap crunch, next season, things begin to happen regarding signing what appears to be some of our better young players. Nestrasil (who has arbitration rights), Teravainen, and Di Giuseppe will all be up for new deals. Having the youngsters' shoulder a "contract slide" year is in the overall best interests of the organization. Somebody is going to have to make it incredibly difficult to get sent back to juniors or to Europe for GMRF to commit to losing that extra contract year.
 

CandyCanes

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I personally don't think we see any of The Gaut, Saarela, or Roy this year.

The competition for whatever remaining roster spots will be are PDG, Mcginn, Wallmark, Ryan, Brown, & Tolchinsky.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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BBA, I had forgotten the "calendar" thing but the gist of my point was that there are other guys who are going to be doing more that "going through the motions" and "showing for next year".

I don't disagree with the above. I was only disagreeing with the statement you made that said "I believe there's likely to be more competition for the spot we've gifted to Aho than some think. " I really don't think there will be. I don't see any plausible scenario, barring injuries, where Aho isn't on the team and Gauthier, Walmark, or Saarela is, particularly given what Francis and Peters have already stated. That's the crux of it for me. Of course there is an outside chance that anything can happen, but the likelihood is small IMO. If I'm wrong about it, I'll gladly eat crow.

The real competition in my eyes could end up being between PDG, Bickell, and Stalberg for whatever role on the 4th line materializes. If Di Giuseppe has a camp like last season and/or shows like he did during last season, it is going to be tough to keep him out of the line up.

Agree. PDG being on the roster won't surprise me in the least.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Jay McClement. He definitely slowed down and took a step back last season. The organization seem to be pretty high on Patrick Brown so he might have a say so in that 4C battle, but Brownie isn't much as faceoffs and that's going to be a requirement of anybody who boots Jay from his role. Perhaps Nordstrom and/or Nestrasil can be added to that mix as well, but I think Peters likes those guys with Jordan until something changes with that line's chemistry.

An interesting one will be Derek Ryan. Of all the players that were called up late last year, to me, he looked by far to be the best of them, and at his age, he should have been. He's not a "typical" 4th liner, but he's a true center and more developed than others.

But even with my feelings about the Goat making a push to make the team, I think that contract situation will win out. It will be a frustrating year for Roy especially, who really came into his own this past season. I expect he'll get a hearty pat on the back and get sent back to the Q with the admonition of "keep fixing your skating".

And I see nothing at all wrong with him (and Gauthier) going back. I'll have to see how he does in camp, but in my limited viewings of him, I could see him needing more work. I'd rather have that than wasting a year getting sheltered minutes and be in and out of the line-up. In fact, I won't be surprised at all to see Roy go back to the Q and then spend next season in Charlotte as well.

Saarela probably will open eyes, but in the end I agree with other posters, he's got a very good chance to be a league-wide stud in Finland and that may do more for his overall development than anything at the moment.

agree.

In the end contracts are going to come into play, big time. While we don't face anything of a salary cap crunch, next season, things begin to happen regarding signing what appears to be some of our better young players. Nestrasil (who has arbitration rights), Teravainen, and Di Giuseppe will all be up for new deals. Having the youngsters' shoulder a "contract slide" year is in the overall best interests of the organization. Somebody is going to have to make it incredibly difficult to get sent back to juniors or to Europe for GMRF to commit to losing that extra contract year.

I see it as more than just contracts. I think that unless a talent is so fantastic, that there isn't a decision to be made or the team has no choice, Francis wants to live by the "draft and develop" mantra. I don't think Nicholas Roy, Goat, or Walmark are going to make this team better next year than guys like Nestrasil, Nordstrom, PDG, Mcginn, etc.. so let them spend time maturing and developing, just as PDG, Slavin, Pesce, etc. have and just as Fleury, McKeown, McGinn, Carrick, etc.. are.

Personally, I think we even rushed Hanifin, but there seemed to be more behind that. Maybe the Canes were worried about another "Vesey" situation occurring and wanted to get him signed asap, and thus promised him he'd be in the NHL. Frankly, I thought he could have used another year in the NCAA. Aho, with his maturity, level of play and skill level pretty much forced the Canes hand. I really don't see anybody else in that category right now. Maybe Goat will show that at camp.
 

Anton Dubinchuk

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that hanifin observation is interesting


in the nhl right now, if you want to finish your college degree, your reward is that you pick any team you want


hanifin seems like a smart enough kid that he mightve been thinking about that, although unlikely its still good to be overly cautious with a 5th overall pick
 

tarheelhockey

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The fact that he literally made the team at the draft podium is telling. They weren't going to let him go back to BC, even if he struggled in camp or whatever. It's totally plausible that, in the context of investing a top-5 pick, they thought it worth the risk to go with an anti-Vesey strategy.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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Yeah, it was complete speculation and grasping for an answer and that was all I could come up with, so I have no clue what really went on, but it was just curious to me that given the "draft and develop" mantra, they brought Hanifin to the NHL so quickly (as tarheel said, decided pretty much at the draft).
 

bleedgreen

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I would pretty strongly agree they rushed him, and I agree with the reasons why to some extent. We can't afford to let him sneak away, we need him and at least the were able to shelter him as best they could. I generally am strong against rushing guys but I do feel they did a good job with Hanifin vs say Lindy. Hanifin can at least skate at an above average level coming in at 18, and was smart enough to avoid getting killed. Positive signs but a year of development wouldn't have hurt at all. I agree he was signed at the podium.
 

CandyCanes

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I don't feel one bit that Hanifin was rushed. He made it to the NHL as an 18 year old, and he was just ready for that assignment at age 18. Countless scouts said that another year in college wouldn't do much for his development. When he got drafted at the podium he already was coming with the NHL sized body & strength, the incredible skating ability, incredible hockey IQ, solid play making skills, and a decent shot, he had nothing to majorly improve upon like a lot of prospects do.

No he didn't blow the doors off. But he stepped in and looked extremely comfortable at the NHL level. That's so hard to do as an 18 year old defensemen!! I have no doubt in my mind he's going to get a heck of a lot better, I truly don't believe we stunted his growth. Give him another 2-3 seasons and I truly believe he is going to be something special.

On that note don't believe the Canes factored in the possibility of Hanifin walking for free agency. He was ready to be in the NHL.
 

Boom Boom Apathy

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I don't feel one bit that Hanifin was rushed. He made it to the NHL as an 18 year old, and he was just ready for that assignment at age 18.

Countless scouts said that another year in college wouldn't do much for his development.

Except from day 1, for the better part of the early season, he was given the most sheltered minutes of any defenseman, was not out there during crunch time, was often very ineffective, and even earned a healthy scratch early on in the season. Nobody can convince me, that another season in the NCAA wouldn't have still helped his development. I'm not saying that what the Canes did hurt his development, just that IMO, he could have used another year before jumping to the NHL. The fact that Slavin and Pesce, who aren't as skilled as Hanifin and don't have his pedigree, vastly outplayed Hanifin early on tells me that he could have used more seasoning because seasoning and getting a stronger, more mature body is what helped them.

I do think the Canes handled him well once they made that decision though. They weren't going to throw him to the wolves because they knew he couldn't handle it.

When he got drafted at the podium he already was coming with the NHL sized body & strength, the incredible skating ability, incredible hockey IQ, solid play making skills, and a decent shot, he had nothing to majorly improve upon like a lot of prospects do.

I really don't agree with this. Hanifin is a fantastic skater, but his shot isn't that great right now. And while he had the size physically, he didn't have the strength as was outmuscled often, particularly early in the season. He definitely had things to work on.

No he didn't blow the doors off. But he stepped in and looked extremely comfortable at the NHL level. That's so hard to do as an 18 year old defensemen!!

I agree, but he did it with very sheltered minutes.

I have no doubt in my mind he's going to get a heck of a lot better

I agree, which means he had things he could have worked on last year, even at the NCAA level. I think he's going to be very, very good and I think we'll see a vast improvement this year alone.

, I truly don't believe we stunted his growth.

I don't think I, nor anybody else indicated that we did. IMO, he was put in the NHL before he was quite ready, but once here, they handled him well. That's all I was saying.

Give him another 2-3 seasons and I truly believe he is going to be something special.

I agree.

On that note don't believe the Canes factored in the possibility of Hanifin walking for free agency. He was ready to be in the NHL.

We'll never know for sure, but don't think he was as ready as you think he was so we'll disagree on that, which is fine.
 

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