Prospect Info: Leafs 2017 2nd (Via OTT) (#59 OA) - Eemeli Rasanen - 6'7" 209lbs RHD - Kingston (OHL)

[Atomos2]

Size is interesting, but I thought the we were pushing for a more mobile defence. Hopefully his skating improves.

 

[Trapper]

What I like about him is that he is 6'7 in the morning and at night.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Would've rather a couple other guys there, but I guess he's a pick I've been banging on the table for. Big risk, but big reward if he pans out.

 

[Walshy7]

What I like about him is that he is 6'7 in the morning and at night.

finn fans would say he 6'10" in the morining 6'7" in the afternoon

 

[Griffin76]

Looked kinda like Sundin when he was hugging his family.

Lol. I thought the same thing. Back when he had hair of course.

 

[Mess]

GETTING TO KNOW EEMELI:

If I could "Carpool Karaoke" with any celebrity it would be: Adele

TV show I recently binge-watched: Salatut elamat

The celebrity that always makes me laugh: Kevin Hart

The app I spend too much time on: Snapchat

At an all-you-can-eat buffet I go straight for the: Meat

The coolest person I've ever met: Pavel Datsyuk

Athlete I admire most: Rasmus Ristolainen

If I could be any superhero I would be: Superman

 

[Leafidelity]

This guy is huge

 

[Jeypic]

finn fans would say he 6'10" in the morining 6'7" in the afternoon

Lol this is funny

 

[indigobuffalo]

Wow, he does look at lot like Sundin.

 

[bonjovi0308]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/06/24/eemeli-rasanen-selected-58th-toronto-maple-leafs/

 

[Paris in Flames]

Couldn't find somebody with a bit more size eh?

 

[Leaf Army]

This is an awesome pick. Exactly the type of player you should be targeting in the second round. This guy will rocket up our depth chart.

 

[Duffman955]

Nice pick

Huge physical defenseman with big point shot. Hes put up some decent point totals as well

 

[NarcoPolo]

Fine with the pick. He passes my number one rule for defenders in the CHL, which is he had over .5ppg.

Outside of physicality, I don't see much difference between him and Hague, who some wanted at 17.

I like him more than Hague tbh. Better skater too from what I've seen from both

 

[WilliamNylander]

We have the better Ristolainen now too

 

[Mess]

Well... ok. Could be good if he puts all his raw tools together. He gets high marls for his Finn-ness, speaking as a Canadian Finn.

Lou not getting my texts though.

Leafs missed out on 6-6 Nic Hague so they went 6-7 instead.

I kind of was hoping for Matthew Strome at #59.

 

[NarcoPolo]

Some teams had this kid rated as a late 1st. He was bad early on in the year but got a lot better as the year went on. Anyone that wanted Hague, or even Foote, shouldnt have any issue with this pick imo

 

[htpwn]

I'm okay with the pick, but combined with the Middleton pick last year, I just hope this isn't the continuation of a trend towards size over skill.

Anyways... his CanucksArmy profile (one of the better draft guides IMO):
https://canucksarmy.com/2017/05/20/canucks-armys-2017-top-100-draft-eligible-prospects-75-71/

6/9 statistically comparable players have made the NHL, including Pronger and Brent Burns, but the closest comparable may be Erik Gudbranson.

 

[bonjovi0308]

Sounds like someone similar to Andrew Nielsen, big defense who has a good snapshot.

 

[Mess]

Some teams had this kid rated as a late 1st. He was bad early on in the year but got a lot better as the year went on. Anyone that wanted Hague, or even Foote, shouldnt have any issue with this pick imo

RANKINGS

Ranked #53 by Hockeyprospect.com
Ranked #42 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #132 by Future Considerations
Ranked #58 by McKeen's Hockey
Ranked #32 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
Ranked #68 by TSN/McKenzie

 

[indigobuffalo]

Size is interesting, but I thought the we were pushing for a more mobile defence. Hopefully his skating improves.

That 7th defenceman can be a PP specialist, which Rasanen may well be. Although he may also become a well-rounded skater. Perhaps a Polak-esque human meat-grinder on the backend.

 

[cupcrazyman]

I wanted our first 2 picks to be dman,so i'm happy.

maybe add a goalie with our next pick ?

 

[Orfieus]

Lol this is funny

gravity is a *****

 

[Jack Bauer]

Anyone else feel like we draft now like the Detroit Red Wings did in their heyday?

A couple flaws with this kid but all signs are that he was huge talent in areas that you can't teach and size that NHL teams crave.

If he loves to hit and has a bomb of a shot we can help him fill in the blanks.

And the more R shooting D the better.

 

[NarcoPolo]

I'm okay with the pick, but combined with the Middleton pick last year, I just hope this isn't the continuation of a trend towards size over skill.

Anyways... his CanucksArmy profile (one of the better draft guides IMO):
https://canucksarmy.com/2017/05/20/canucks-armys-2017-top-100-draft-eligible-prospects-75-71/

6/9 statistically comparable players have made the NHL, including Pronger and Brent Burns, but the closest comparable may be Erik Gudbranson.

Thing is that he's good with the puck. The biggest thing he'll need to work on his his consistency. He's got serious top 4 upside