seems to be able to keep up with liljegren while skating backwards, he eases up at the end but if that was an opponent he would have run him straight into the boards. Kept lil to the outside pretty easily though
Prospect Info: Leafs 2017 2nd (Via OTT) (#59 OA) - Eemeli Rasanen - 6'7" 209lbs RHD - Kingston (OHL)
- Thread starter Epictetus
- Start date
seems to be able to keep up with liljegren while skating backwards, he eases up at the end but if that was an opponent he would have run him straight into the boards. Kept lil to the outside pretty easily though
Muston Atthews
Bunch of Bangerz
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
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Muston Atthews
Bunch of Bangerz
I was responding to the poster who said Rasanen kept up with Liljegren and kept him to the outside easily. There was no where that Rasanen could have finished his check on Liljegren
sure, but if he were a bad skater he wouldnt be there to even be walked. But i will say there is a point where i think rasanen could of buried him into the boards, but why would he try that in a skating drill at development camp. Easy for me to say watching/re-watching a clip i obviously have no idea if in the moment Rasanen had time to process doing that
Neil Hamburger
Five Bagger!
He reminds me of the Nielsen pick, except Rasanen actually uses his size whenever possible.
The more I think about this pick, the more I like it - he's huge, physical, smart, and has good puck skills. If he can improve his skating to the NHL average (which is by no means a certainty), he could be an absolute monster.
Massive upside, and still relatively low risk - if he can improve his skating just a little he should be able to carve out a career as a bottom pairing D.
The more I think about this pick, the more I like it - he's huge, physical, smart, and has good puck skills. If he can improve his skating to the NHL average (which is by no means a certainty), he could be an absolute monster.
Massive upside, and still relatively low risk - if he can improve his skating just a little he should be able to carve out a career as a bottom pairing D.
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firstemperor
Registered User
- May 25, 2011
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The Liljegren drill was a non-contact, low-intensity drill, I wouldn't harp on Rasanen too much for that. And Liljegren is legitimately one of the top skaters in the draft.
Middleton's issue is not skating Walshy
It's his puck skills that let him down but he's bloody good defensively though I'll give him that
ok, if his puck skills are that bad he is still really a nothing prospect. if he cant handle the puck then he wont be in a babcock team. Anyway my overall point is Rasanen is on another level form those 2 and likely gordeev. I really like greenway too
I wouldn't give up on Middleton yet Walshy
He's logged some tough minutes as a young defenseman on a team with a lot of guys who were drafted quite high and much older than him
This year in the OHL is going to be the big one imo
If he can't put up points he's going nowhere but if he can he's interesting
Middleton just has to make the nice quick out let passes and play like he is 6'7" 250lbs, all will be good.
Leafs at Knight
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Muston Atthews
Bunch of Bangerz
What's so funny? I like the pick but in no ways did Rasanen keep up with Liljegren there. It's not a slight on Rasenen considering Liljegrens skating ability
Muston Atthews
Bunch of Bangerz
He didn't have the gap whatsoever. There's no way he makes up that ground to make a hit there.
A lot of talk about rasanen being a bad skater on here... but for 6'7 I've seen a decent skater. In his highlight video he covers ground quickly (in one sequence). Also he recently listed it as something he thought was a strength of his. Sure he might not skate like Orr, but for 6'7 in the limited viewings I've seen of him, it doesn't look like a huge issue? cant be as bad as Nielsen right?
I can't help you
You don't need to
I didn't watch one clip and come up with the hottest of takes
I actually saw Middleton when his team was playing against the Kitchener Rangers this winter. He was a very solid defensive defenceman. He was always put out in defensive situations. Skating also did not appear to be a problem (at least at the junior level). I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses this year.
Mikeyg
Registered User
- Dec 26, 2011
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What? have you not heard of the hipcheck? He controlled the gap very well there and closed it right at the sign. Definitely could have bodied him there right before he pivots. That isn't a very difficult check to lay there, its all about lateral movement in that instance.
You don't need to
I didn't watch one clip and come up with the hottest of takes
Me neither - I watched the top prospects game. That clip is just more of the same. Nice try though.
