RW Kasper Halttunen - London Knights , OHL (2023, 36th, SJS)

[MMC]

Welcome to San Jose

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[Kcoyote3]

Signed his ELC!

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[Svedu]

I wish the kid all the best. Smart move. Better to work up his skill and other things than be playing against men and a lot of defensive minded teams.

Though I also wanna add I'm not at all high on him and don't think he has showed us anything worth mentioning, yet. But, who knows if this smart move can get him going. Tsemppiä!

 

[Patty Ice]

I wish the kid all the best. Smart move. Better to work up his skill and other things than be playing against men and a lot of defensive minded teams.

Though I also wanna add I'm not at all high on him and don't think he has showed us anything worth mentioning, yet. But, who knows if this smart move can get him going. Tsemppiä!

100%. I wasn't overly excited when the Sharks drafted despite the talent he's shown. I worry about young players that develop in Liiga but now that he is in the hands of the Hunters, my interest has been piqued.

EDIT: Not to say I think lowly of Liiga. It's a tough league and not necessarily a good place for a young guy to develop.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Will be interesting to see Haltunen, Cowan and Barkey carry that team with the vets moving on

 

[ijuka]

There used to be a lot of movement towards CHL around 2015 or so, and most Finnish prospects didn't turn out that great after going there.

However, lately Liiga has been VERY bad with pure dead puck-era officiating, which makes it a subpar place for a young and skilled player to develop. It's sad that Liiga doesn't see the issue when the average goals per game is like 4 or something.

So anyway, going to CHL is probably the right move right now until Liiga brass wakes up and makes the game about skill instead of clutching, grabbing, and slashing.

 

[wetcoast]

Will be interesting to see Haltunen, Cowan and Barkey carry that with the vets moving on

They have several interesting Dmen to watch as well.

 

[Unger9]

I'm very high on Halttunen. This was a great pick. Had him ranked #23 in the draft. He just needs more reps and confidence and he'll certainly get that in the CHL. Has a chance to be a home run pick imo. Sharks know how to draft

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

I'm very high on Halttunen. This was a great pick. Had him ranked #23 in the draft. He just needs more reps and confidence and he'll certainly get that in the CHL. Has a chance to be a home run pick imo. Sharks know how to draft

what's so good about him?

he seems underwhelming to me whenever i watch his videos. i feel like we wasted a pick, plz convince me otherwise

 

[Patty Ice]

what's so good about him?

he seems underwhelming to me whenever i watch his videos. i feel like we wasted a pick, plz convince me otherwise

He was a kid playing against men in a league that's not suited for developing young players. Watch him closely this upcoming season and he might just convince you.

 

[ijuka]

what's so good about him?

he seems underwhelming to me whenever i watch his videos. i feel like we wasted a pick, plz convince me otherwise

Yep, agree. Who knows, maybe his CHL game will show something new. Right now, I see him as a Kristian Vesalainen.

 

[Unger9]

what's so good about him?

he seems underwhelming to me whenever i watch his videos. i feel like we wasted a pick, plz convince me otherwise

I have to admit.. there is some tape out there that I didn't see.. where he looks like a different version of himself. So there may be some consistency questions. Imo, most times consistency questions are rooted in self confidence. So moving to the CHL will do wonders for him. Playing against peers and playing a lot of games with a lot of ice time

His performance at the U18 IIHF wjc was certainly not underwhelming and his process in Liiga looked good. He's got quickness, good skater, excellent shooting ability, he's got some finesse too. His games in Liiga brought a lot of positives despite lack of points. He was involved a lot but the plays just weren't getting finished. The underlying details were good also. He showed a good ability to maintain possession, fight for possession, and fared well in boards work and physical confrontations.

Also, SJS used a 2nd round pick on him, not a first. At that point in the draft things get more subjective. The only players I would've taken before him at that point were Cristall and Heidt.. and maybe Sawchyn. But a great amount of teams passed on all of those players so you can't get too judgmental from the outside. Those 4 players were my best available at #36

 

[MichaelFarrell]

what's so good about him?

he seems underwhelming to me whenever i watch his videos. i feel like we wasted a pick, plz convince me otherwise

Personally, I don’t think you will find video that will change your mind about Kasper. Every time I have watched him I have not been impressed either. I think he was taken a round or two too early.

San Jose must really believe that Halttunen will be able to build a solid game around his physical attributes and shot. He’s a powerful guy but he is not very fast or skilled. He’s going to be a project for sure.

 

[Albatros]

It's not like you get flawless players in round 2 either. If you want a Timo Meier then you get a lottery pick, otherwise it's going to be the poor man's version. Halttunen has some top attributes and upside, if he can successfully work on his weaknesses then I don't think there will be a lot of guys with better careers drafted after him. Skating is fixable and his size should at least allow him to be more than just a one-dimensional shooter. A finesse forward he'll never be, but I don't think he needs to.

 

[Bakayoko Ono]

Felt like that hit changed him last season; he was timid and stayed away from high-traffic areas after that. Lack of finishing was a problem for him the whole season; hopefully he starts scoring early on with the Knights. He’s a huge kid, can’t coach that.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It's not like you get flawless players in round 2 either. If you want a Timo Meier then you get a lottery pick, otherwise it's going to be the poor man's version. Halttunen has some top attributes and upside, if he can successfully work on his weaknesses then I don't think there will be a lot of guys with better careers drafted after him. Skating is fixable and his size should at least allow him to be more than just a one-dimensional shooter. A finesse forward he'll never be, but I don't think he needs to.

Yeah, I agree with this. Could turn into a good player or could not reach the NHL. Too early to know, but it’s not a bad gamble in round 2.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Scores in his OHL/Knights debut

 

[JabbaJabba]

He almost went super saiyan during his celebration.

Great goal. Didn't know he was already assigned to OHL from the training camp.

 

[Sticktape]

That was indeed a quick shot.

 

[Brew]

Kid tried to fight a rookie who made a big hit and got a double minor for roughing. Embarrassing.

 

[LDN]

He’s the real deal. You will all understand soon why London is the best development spot for any prospect

 

[Artorius Horus T]

How is his 5 on 5 game?

has 4 PP sog, 3 goals
no 5 on 5 sog, 0 goals