Joonas Donskoi. Signed Free Agent May 2015

[Barrie22]

He made the Finnish World Championship team. Nice.

World Cup team. I am hoping as a sharks fan he doesn't make the world championship team.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

that was what I meant, I knew that.

Its early

 

[T0uGh C0oki3]

Keep signing those euro gems !

 

[Boy Hedican]

great game tonight. what a pass!

 

[Alwalys]

the main thing he lacks is physical size/strength but i'm sure that will develop over time. he's learning how to control the puck despite the physical play, the way he takes loose pucks and bounces them off the boards to get himself into open space is incredible.

 

[Timo Time]

The way he plays with Couture reminds me of our own Kane/Panarin lite. He creates so much space on his own and has such great playmaking ability.

 

[Boy Hedican]

the main thing he lacks is physical size/strength but i'm sure that will develop over time. he's learning how to control the puck despite the physical play, the way he takes loose pucks and bounces them off the boards to get himself into open space is incredible.

If he can learn a thing or two about working with his physical limitations from Pavs, I think he'll be just fine. He's already doing better things with the puck than Pavs ever did at his age. I bring him up because physically Pavs is not a big, strong guy at all. He's put on some mass, but I remember seeing him side by side and thinking I look more like an athlete than he does. But he is SO good with his stick and body positioning. Donskoi shows the same qualities.

Donskoi is so dynamic too. Man he's fun to watch. He really does remind me of Kane or Datsyuk in that when ever he touches the puck you feel like good, creative things are gonna happen. (Note: Before anyone thinks im suggesting he's as good as those two I AM NOT saying that...now ).

 

[Alwalys]

he does play with it very well
THE PUCK

 

[Coy]

He's like a Panarin with a much worse shot.

 

[DaJackal]

I think it is fair to say now that Donskoi has been one of the best FA signings this season league-wide. Let's see the +- list:

+0.5 PPG coming straight from FEL to NHL without an AHL adjustment period.
+He can create opportunities for himself and his linemates no matter what line you put him in. He is no Kessel who needs good players around him in order to be productive.
+He very rarely has a bad game - or at least his effort is 100% every game, he never goes unnoticed.
+Shootout skills.
+His current cap hit is cheeeeeap.

-His shot is not good. (On the other hand, if he would have a good shot on top of everything else he has, he would be scoring A LOT more and his salary for 17-18 season would be very bad for the cap. Personally I rather take a 15+30 guy for say 3M over a 25+40 guy for 7M.)

I have to admit that when Donskoi made that deal I was certain he would be way too much of a puck hog in order to make it in the NHL - at least during his first season. I've always liked him as a player so I'll happily eat my crow.

 

[Gilligans Island]

I love this guy. Fantastic along the boards, very savvy with his stick and has a great hockey IQ.

We needed more setup fwds like him.

 

[boredatwork]

Figure I'd put this here. I've only seen Goldobin play a few times, but I'm wondering if his ceiling in any way compares to Donskoi's. With Tierney, Donskoi, and Goldobin in the fold, the Sharks potentially have three high-end playmakers in their line-up for the foreseeable future. Heck four if Thornton goes Brett Favre. Spread those guys out on different lines and the future at forward looks awesome.

Honestly, Donskoi gives me hope that this team can go far in the playoffs. He will create match-up nightmares, makes the 2nd powerplay go, and is relentless on the boards. We already have Joel Ward, but I don't think a Joel Ward type playoff performance is out of the question.

 

[Juxtaposer]

+He can create opportunities for himself and his linemates no matter what line you put him in. He is no Kessel who needs good players around him in order to be productive.

I agree with most of your points but this is silly. Kessel put up 80 points on horrendous Leafs teams while saddled with Tyler Bozak. Kessel absolutely produces on his own.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Yeah Kessel is an offensive machine. Its his intangible qualities that leave many frustrated. Donskoi is a gem though. He and Couture fit so well together. Both smart and tenacious puck magnets.

 

[DaJackal]

I agree with most of your points but this is silly. Kessel put up 80 points on horrendous Leafs teams while saddled with Tyler Bozak. Kessel absolutely produces on his own.

My apologies if I chose the wrong example player. I didn't look up Kessel's stats prior posting, I just remembered this being a common complaint on the Leafs board. Maybe it was just last season that sparked him such a reputation among Leafs fans - or then it's just the usual HF habit of overcriticizing your own.

Anyhow, feel free to replace Kessel with someone who is a better match to the type of player I meant. There should be plenty.

 

[Juxtaposer]

My apologies if I chose the wrong example player. I didn't look up Kessel's stats prior posting, I just remembered this being a common complaint on the Leafs board. Maybe it was just last season that sparked him such a reputation among Leafs fans - or then it's just the usual HF habit of overcriticizing your own.

Anyhow, feel free to replace Kessel with someone who is a better match to the type of player I meant. There should be plenty.

Leafs fans and HF in general hate on Kessel because he is a "soft" winger, isn't great defensively (but! was the best defensive player on his line in Toronto often, better than Bozak or JVR by far), is overweight, and socially awkward.

I get your point though. It just ticks me off a little when people **** on Kessel.

 

[Limekiller]

Leafs fans and HF in general hate on Kessel because he is a "soft" winger, isn't great defensively (but! was the best defensive player on his line in Toronto often, better than Bozak or JVR by far), is overweight, and socially awkward.

I get your point though. It just ticks me off a little when people **** on Kessel.

To be fair, Kessel has not been very good this year, and he's been on a much better team. He only has a few more points than Marleau, and we've heard all season here about how disappointing Marleau is, right? So, in the past, sure, he could get his own offense despite a poor supporting cast. This year though, he's not, despite the much better supporting cast.

 

[Juxtaposer]

To be fair, Kessel has not been very good this year, and he's been on a much better team. He only has a few more points than Marleau, and we've heard all season here about how disappointing Marleau is, right? So, in the past, sure, he could get his own offense despite a poor supporting cast. This year though, he's not, despite the much better supporting cast.

I'm not saying that Kessel is having a great season or anything, just that he gets an unfair reputation on HF and in the hockey world in general. Because Toronto retained 25% of his contract, he's only costing the Pens $6M on their cap, which is actually less than Marleau.

 

[DaJackal]

Anyone know his injury status?

 

[Led Zappa]

Anyone know his injury status?

Lower Body - Day to Day - Probably Out Tomorrow

 

[sooni]

Like i said year ago this kid is a steal. He can make your team Stanley Cup winner.

 

[Ninja Hertl]

.
.
.

<---- Beast mode

 

[Levie]

Really really good pick up. If only we had also gotten Panarin.

 

[stator]

Really really good pick up. If only we had also gotten Panarin.

I read that Panarin wanted to go to a cup contending team. That did not work out for him this year.

 

[Past Considerations]

Good article: http://www.si.com/nhl/2016/04/28/joonas-donskoi-san-jose-sharks-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs