Prospect Info: Henri Nikkanen, C (4th round, 113th overall)

[JetsUK]

Anyone know what his injuries were?

I’ve read both “injuries” and “a big injury” that kept him out for a big stretch in the middle of the season.

Pluses seem to be skating, great hands, vision and size, maybe some improving to do in terms of IQ. Great long-term potential and a character guy who has captained at the international level, IIRC. My fave pick of this year’s draft.

 

[ijuka]

I’ve read both “injuries” and “a big injury” that kept him out for a big stretch in the middle of the season.

It was reported as a "lower limb injury", whatever that is.

 

[buggs]

Well, if nothing else he might give Niku a run for the flow title.

So you're saying he's due for a Moose bobblehead in a couple of years? I'm in.

 

[Trinity]

It was reported as a "lower limb injury", whatever that is.

Chevy said today it was a "pubic" injury.

 

[GNP]

This Nikannen guy could be a diamond in the rough-ranked # 32 by Central Scouting (for EU Skaters)-- not to bad, just had some injury problems.

Since we're loading up on Finns --I think we need to invite Puljujarvi to the family, and keep the Finn's together as a family-keep the theme going. I really like PJ, and Edmonton wants to get rid of him --so let's pick him up. Selanne and Rattenen, and Laine have come out of Finland, so they have some good Hockey programs going there.

We should all remember Mark Messier was drafted in the 3rd round I believe, and Dustin Bufflien in the 8th round--so you never know if you'll strike gold.

 

[Atoyot]

This Nikannen guy could be a diamond in the rough-ranked # 32 by Central Scouting (for EU Skaters)-- not to bad, just had some injury problems.

Since we're loading up on Finns --I think we need to invite Puljujarvi to the family, and keep the Finn theme going. I really like PJ, and Edmonton wants to get rid of him --so let's pick him up.

We should all remember Mark Messier was drafted in the 3rd round I believe, and Dustin Bufflien in the 8th round--so you never know if you'll strike gold.

32nd was his rank among European skaters, not overall.

 

[GNP]

32nd was his rank among European skaters, not overall.

______________________________________________

Yes, your right, and I corrected that--still that's pretty damn good.

 

[Jetsetter]

Again what's not to like!

 

[Ukkosenjumala]

We'll see how he does if he stays in Jukurit. It's a horrible team but I suppose he's in a position where that doesn't necessarily matter much yet. It's just that these teams often don't have a good developmental structure in place either.

 

[ps241]

This is a really nice pick.

 

[jrs]

You can all thank me for drafting him

 

[Hammer Slammer]

He was injured whenever I tried to watch him, so I didn't get much. Here's a Liiga game from early in the season.

 

[Whileee]

He was injured whenever I tried to watch him, so I didn't get much. Here's a Liiga game from early in the season.

Thanks.

Not much to say...

"Moves well for a young tall player."
"Makes the safe play."

Nice snipe in the SO, thought.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

A couple of years ago he was regarded as the best Finnish forward with Kakko for his draft class. I think he has good value for a 4th rounder, needs to stay healthy and get his development back on track.

 

[Daximus]

I have virtually no notes on Nikkanen outside of what I saw last year. All I know is I had him ranked at 31 to start the season and he just kept dropping because of my limited views on him. I had him pegged as a two-way playmking center with decent skating in my early notes for what it's worth.

 

[DannyGallivan]

Another Finn!!!
Good to get a centre

May be able to make the Moose one day.

 

[truck]

A couple of years ago he was regarded as the best Finnish forward with Kakko for his draft class. I think he has good value for a 4th rounder, needs to stay healthy and get his development back on track.

He was 2nd to Kakko (Junior League, U17 players) in the d minus 1 year.

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

He was 2nd to Kakko (Junior League, U17 players) in the d minus 1 year.

Kakko separated himself in that season. Before that Nikkanen was as highly touted or even more due to his position.

 

[SM]

Any recent examples of to-be 1st rounders who fell due to injury and turned into worthwhile NHL’ers?

 

[howkie]

Any recent examples of to-be 1st rounders who fell due to injury and turned into worthwhile NHL’ers?

Aho? (or he maybe never was a first rounder?)

 

[Ippenator]

Aho? (or he maybe never was a first rounder?)

Aho wasn’t really injured and he didn’t really fall at any point. He just wasn’t valued too highly by the scouts before the draft because of his lack of size and not having very flamboyant playing style. Also he didn’t have a productive U20 WJC, although he wasn’t even bad despite of the 0+0 stats. Their team was just pretty bad and especially the coach was an old dinosaur of a coach. I think Finland’s most productive player in that tournament was Rantanen with something like only 4 points in the whole tournament.

Anyway Aho did still develop a lot after that, but also part of him getting drafted so late was because of the scouts often not seeing well enough or valuing enough very high hockey IQ, which has always been the best part in Aho’s game.

 

[Gil Fisher]

Was Couturier's drop from 1 to 8 injury related? Or just general scouting malaise?

 

[PhilJets]

Hoping he is a diamond in the rough.
And i'll be (very) happy if he has a Thomas Steen type impact 2C. Drafted in later round.

 

[PhilJets]

Hoping he is a diamond in the rough.
And i'll be (very) happy if he has a Thomas Steen type impact 2C. Drafted in later round.

 

[Huffer]

Assuming he stays healthy, decent chance he's playing in the World Juniors this year?