Joonas Donskoi. Signed Free Agent May 2015

[ChicagoBullsFan]

RW / LW Joonas Donskoi. Signed Free Agent May 2015

Details
Name Joonas Donskoi
Born April 13 1992
Height 182cm ( 6'0)
Weight 85kg ( 187lbs)
Position LW / RW
Shoots Right
Signed Free Agent May 2015

I didn't found discussion thread of Joonas Donskoi, so i decided open this one.
What's San Jose's development plan for Joonas Donskoi, is he getting fair chance to take his spot in NHL season opening roster.

Or is he going to play in San Jose Barracuda's AHL team.
Last Season ( 2014-2015) Donskoi was top scorer ( 58 games 19 goals 30 assists = 49 points 1,18 PPG) in Oulun Kärpät FEL team.

Also he was best player ( Jari Kurri award winner) in FEL play offs (19 games 6 goals 16 assists = 22 points 0,86 PPG)
After his excellent FEL season Donskoi participated Finland into IIHF men's world championships, and there he played Team Finland's 2nd scoring line with Jussi Jokinen and Aleksander Barkov.

Donskoi's stats in 2015 IIHF men's world championships were (8 games 5 goals 3 assists = 8 points 1,00 PPG).
As a Player Donskoi is an explosive skater. Works hard both ways. Has excellent stickhandling ability and puck control, but could improve his finishing skills.

Also Donskoi is penalty shot specialist
Here's few highlight videos of Joonas Donskoi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfuzTr-ipjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFYK4J4Kspk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRRCmDVxAdo

Trivia Florida Panthers selected Joonas Donskoi 4th round 99th overall 2010 NHL entry draft but they never signed him.

Click to read more...

 

[LadyStanley]

He's been skating with the big boys in the pre-camp skates.

Has impressed me and a number of other fans who have been watching (and very personable).

Probably penciled in for AHL duty, but has a chance to steal NHL roster spot.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I would be surprised if he isn't in the NHL to start the year.

 

[LeeIFBB]

Boom or bust.

 

[19sharks19]

Excited to see him in some pre season games.

 

[RainbowDash]

We'll have to see if his game translates to the NA game.

The NHL team absolutely could use another person who can go fish out pucks from the corners. I have little doubt that his usefulness as a forechecker is very much needed on the team. What remains to be seen is if he can understand DeBoer's system and execute it better then the other players at camp. Ultimately, that is what it'll come down to.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Boom or bust.

Yeah that's possible always when new player, is joining in the team.
I had same feeling when Nikolay Goldobin entered to HIFK last season ( i'm huge HIFK fan).

Donskoi isn't 3rd line power forward or 4th line work horse.
He's scoring winger and he needs center who shares puck to him.

If Donskoi wants to be useful guy for Sharks, he needs ice time in power-play unit.
Of course it'll take time for Donskoi to learn north american game.

In that perspective ( learning north american game) AHL duty would best for him, but let's see training camp first.
I wish good luck for Donskoi in NHL, and i'll follow him so much as i can.

 

[MMANumminen]

Skill wise he should be up from the beginning. My main concern is that he is a puck hog and it's not as easy to be a puck hog in the smaller rink vs bigger and faster players.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Skill wise he should be up from the beginning. My main concern is that he is a puck hog and it's not as easy to be a puck hog in the smaller rink vs bigger and faster players.

That's why i think, Donskoi starts his season in AHL.
If Dosnkoi doing well in AHL, he could get some games in NHL too.

Donskoi has 2 yrs ELC contract with sharks, so if this season he isn't NHL ready.
He'll get NHL chance next season ( 2016-2017), but as i said let's see training camp first.

 

[Jargon]

Frankly, I think a player like him (and Goldobin) is exactly what we're missing. A fast, talented dangler that makes creative plays happen. When was the last time we had anyone like that? Koroyluk?

I have high hopes for him!

 

[Mafoofoo]

Frankly, I think a player like him (and Goldobin) is exactly what we're missing. A fast, talented dangler that makes creative plays happen. When was the last time we had anyone like that? Koroyluk?

I have high hopes for him!

Ben Eager

 

[weastern bias]

^

I think Maf's been eager to dig that clip up

 

[KirbyDots]

^

I think Maf's been eager to dig that clip up

 

[Ronnie Residue]

I like donskoi, but I'd definitely have him start in the ahl to see how his game is over here. No problem with him in the lineup tho if he proves worthy.

 

[SactoShark]

There could be like 3 injuries before the season even starts. I couldn't imagine a scenario where he doesn't get a look with the Sharks this season.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

How Donskoi doing in Sharks training camp?.
What i've read in Finnish media, he's been impressive there.

So what's are his chances to start season into NHL?

 

[dechire]

How Donskoi doing in Sharks training camp?.
What i've read in Finnish media, he's been impressive there.

So what's are his chances to start season into NHL?

High. He's been looking great.

 

[CanadienShark]

How Donskoi doing in Sharks training camp?.
What i've read in Finnish media, he's been impressive there.

So what's are his chances to start season into NHL?

Very good. Sharks fans have loved him thus far, and even management seems to really like him. If our final roster was created today, he'd be on the 3rd line imo.

 

[Gecklund]

I'm rooting for Donskoi on the Joes wing (Donskoi-Thornton-Pavelski) could be an interesting line.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I'm rooting for Donskoi on the Joes wing (Donskoi-Thornton-Pavelski) could be an interesting line.

If / when Donskoi has good chemistry, between Thornton and Pavelski.
That line must keep together absolutely.

 

[Timos Death Stare]

Not to be negative nancy here, but I thought he looked average (as did the rest of the team) last night. Anyone at the game last night care to weigh in?

 

[Led Zappa]

Not to be negative nancy here, but I thought he looked average (as did the rest of the team) last night. Anyone at the game last night care to weigh in?

First back to back of season. One person said they were good in the first, worse in the second and worse in the third. Makes sense. And if Donskoi looked average playing 2 nights in a row in the NHL for the first time that's probably not to shabby.

 

[Timos Death Stare]

First back to back of season. One person said they were good in the first, worse in the second and worse in the third. Makes sense. And if Donskoi looked average playing 2 nights in a row in the NHL for the first time that's probably not to shabby.

I hope I'm wrong - there wasn't anything he did that made me think he was a shoe-in for the lineup as others here are suggesting. Still would love to have a "free asset" signed and contribute.

 

[Led Zappa]

I hope I'm wrong - there wasn't anything he did that made me think he was a shoe-in for the lineup as others here are suggesting. Still would love to have a "free asset" signed and contribute.

If your basing you're opinion on last night then you're wrong. He's done everything he needs to do to make the team every time I've seen him.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

If your basing you're opinion on last night then you're wrong. He's done everything he needs to do to make the team every time I've seen him.

Saw Donskoi at the prospects game, watched the Vancouver games, and saw him on Friday at the tank. To this point he has done everything IMO to make the team on opening day. Shows good poise with the puck on his stick, aggressive on the forecheck, and back checks with everything he has. Good positioning in the defensive zone, and puts in the effort to kill the other teams offense. So far I'm seeing a less physical, but slightly more skilled Wingels.