Confirmed with Link: Sharks sign Kasper Halttunen to ELC

[Lebanezer]

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[hohosaregood]

Wasn't expecting him to be the first to get signed, not that it really matters. They must've liked him at camp.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

Wow that was really fast

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Jargon]

Does that mean he’s likely going to the AHL next season?

 

[91Fedorov91]

Does that mean he’s likely going to the AHL next season?

I think you have to be 20 years old.

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

I think you have to be 20 years old.

Only if you play in the CHL. I'm hoping he does go to Juniors though... might be good for him

 

[Gecklund]

Does that mean he’s likely going to the AHL next season?

I think it’s more likely that he’s going to the CHL? His rights are owned by London and their program preaches the same values Grier does.

 

[Hodge]

I don’t think it’s a terrible idea for Halttunen to play on the Cuda. He’s too good for junior hockey.

 

[Alaskanice]

Congratulations Kasper!!

 

[Juxtaposer]

CHL and AHL are both better options for Halttunen next year than Finland IMO, so I like this.

 

[Cas]

Only if you play in the CHL. I'm hoping he does go to Juniors though... might be good for him

Only players drafted after playing in the CHL must remain in the CHL or NHL until they are 20.

Players drafted out of Europe or the USHL or other leagues are eligible for the AHL at age 18, even if a CHL team has drafted them in its import draft.

I don't think Halttunen is going to the AHL (seems way too early, given his performance in the Liiga), so this could just be a way to get him under contract early or maybe they want to send him to London and signing him to his ELC was the way to get him to agree (he'll probably make more money off his signing bonus and junior salary than he would in Finland).

 

[Hodge]

Only players drafted after playing in the CHL must remain in the CHL or NHL until they are 20.

Players drafted out of Europe or the USHL or other leagues are eligible for the AHL at age 18, even if a CHL team has drafted them in its import draft.

I don't think Halttunen is going to the AHL (seems way too early, given his performance in the Liiga), so this could just be a way to get him under contract early or maybe they want to send him to London and signing him to his ELC was the way to get him to agree (he'll probably make more money off his signing bonus and junior salary than he would in Finland).

He was probably getting less than 10 minutes a night in Liiga, potentially a lot less. The fact a high level pro team thought a 17 year old was good enough to dress 27 times is a promising sign.

Halttunen is clearly too good for Finnish juniors (18 goals in 18 games) and may not get enough ice time in Liiga so it makes some sense to start him in the AHL. If he looks way out of his depth by December, send him to the WJC and then either to the Knights or HIFK.

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

48 contracts already. Could slide but I hope some start getting cleared out.

 

[Jargon]

He was probably getting less than 10 minutes a night in Liiga, potentially a lot less. The fact a high level pro team thought a 17 year old was good enough to dress 27 times is a promising sign.

Halttunen is clearly too good for Finnish juniors (18 goals in 18 games) and may not get enough ice time in Liiga so it makes some sense to start him in the AHL. If he looks way out of his depth by December, send him to the WJC and then either to the Knights or HIFK.

I imagine it might be the opposite, where he goes to the Knights and if he just blows the doors off the place, maybe he'll be called over to the AHL. The way Grier has been with the prospects, I imagine they'll take their time with all of these guys.

 

[gaucholoco3]

I imagine it might be the opposite, where he goes to the Knights and if he just blows the doors off the place, maybe he'll be called over to the AHL. The way Grier has been with the prospects, I imagine they'll take their time with all of these guys.

If he plays for London then doesn’t he forfeit the right to play in the AHL till 20?

 

[Jargon]

If he plays for London then doesn’t he forfeit the right to play in the AHL till 20?

Ohhhhh maybe so.

Huh, I guess we’ll see!

 

[hohosaregood]

If he plays for London then doesn’t he forfeit the right to play in the AHL till 20?

No, he should still be able to come to the AHL early since he's drafted out of Europe. I think he'll technically be on loan from the Sharks to London.

 

[Cas]

No, he should still be able to come to the AHL early since he's drafted out of Europe. I think he'll technically be on loan from the Sharks to London.

I believe this is true (see Rasmus Sandin as a similar example). Not entirely sure, though.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

I hope he lights the CHL on fire..Insane that he just turned 18. Maybe the org sees him as a 1 in junior then the big club.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

The fact that it’s London Knights who have his rights, he should definitely play there this season. He’s the type that would really benefit playing for Dale Hunter

 

[Hodge]

48 contracts already. Could slide but I hope some start getting cleared out.

This made me remember DWJr. signed Mitchell Russell to a 3-year NHL contract right before getting fired. One final turd in the punch bowl on his way out. Hamaliuk, Ibragimov and Emond never should have been signed either.

 

[STL Shark]

Does the NHL club have to sign him to a contract to be able to control where he’s loaned to next year? Could see this being a move to control his development process since he has so many potential avenues.

 

[ThePlanet]

I think it would be a very wise decision to have him adjust to North American ice against Junior competition. That way he'll be able to build confidence during what can often be an awkward transition.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Needs a lot of time to develop a more patient game that utilizes his shooting talents and his hands. He just doesn't hold onto the puck long enough before making a decision. Should have plenty of space and time in juniors to do so. I worry he would be ineffective in the AHL right now outside of some shooting streaks.