What is the plan with Aho?

[NotOpie]

If only Aho was in a true hockey market like Quebec City then he'd get the appreciation he deserves.

Nah, he speaks no French...or more appropriately, no Quebecois.

 

[Roboturner913]

Glorify him, fail to make the playoffs for umpteen years, sour on him, begin to blame him for everything, watch him go elsewhere and be awesome again

Just a guess though

 

[Vagrant]

whatever the plan, it should allow for teuvo to be attached to his hip. there were rumors at the time of the trade that the hawks were openly concerned about his work ethic.

Zawaski: Perceived Lack Of Work Ethic Played A Role In Teuvo Teravainen's Exit From Blackhawks

aho's focus and intensity has had such a positive influence on teuvo's game in an observable way. there's something about the competition inside the competition between them that really challenges teuvo to emulate aho's pace. the confidence to be assertive is another aho trait that has really helped teuvo. it shows how much of a natural leader you have that not only does he command respect on an international level at such a young age, but he's inspiring a guy that for all intents and purposes should be inspiring him. he's developing a level of reverence devoted to the saku koivu class. what aho and teravainen were able to do in the world championships should serve as some sort of notice. we have a really cool thing happening here.

as for the center vs. wing debate, we should let him play wherever he wants. the way he thinks the game, he wouldn't put himself in a disadvantageous position.

 

[AD Skinner]

Glorify him, fail to make the playoffs for umpteen years, sour on him, begin to blame him for everything, watch him go elsewhere and be awesome again

Just a guess though

Hmm that seems so familiar

 

[DougieSmash]

NHL best players

Matthews
McDavid
Marner
Ehlers
*huge gap with many players*
Aho

heiskanen
leivo
scheifele

 

[bleedgreen]

Glorify him, fail to make the playoffs for umpteen years, sour on him, begin to blame him for everything, watch him go elsewhere and be awesome again

Just a guess though

We’ve definitely gone a bit too strong on the Aho love. I agree he’s smart enough to line up anywhere but I don’t want him forced to center if it’s not there.

 

[geehaad]

as for the center vs. wing debate, we should let him play wherever he wants. the way he thinks the game, he wouldn't put himself in a disadvantageous position.

totally agree

 

[tarheelhockey]

whatever the plan, it should allow for teuvo to be attached to his hip. there were rumors at the time of the trade that the hawks were openly concerned about his work ethic.

Zawaski: Perceived Lack Of Work Ethic Played A Role In Teuvo Teravainen's Exit From Blackhawks

aho's focus and intensity has had such a positive influence on teuvo's game in an observable way. there's something about the competition inside the competition between them that really challenges teuvo to emulate aho's pace. the confidence to be assertive is another aho trait that has really helped teuvo. it shows how much of a natural leader you have that not only does he command respect on an international level at such a young age, but he's inspiring a guy that for all intents and purposes should be inspiring him. he's developing a level of reverence devoted to the saku koivu class. what aho and teravainen were able to do in the world championships should serve as some sort of notice. we have a really cool thing happening here.

as for the center vs. wing debate, we should let him play wherever he wants. the way he thinks the game, he wouldn't put himself in a disadvantageous position.

I’ve never really made the Saku Koivu connection before, but that’s exactly what we have in Aho. Good call.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Finn fans in the WC forums constantly compared him to Saku, but I've always thought Zetterberg, from way back when we drafted him. He still reminds me a lot of him.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Finn fans in the WC forums constantly compared him to Saku, but I've always thought Zetterberg, from way back when we drafted him. He still reminds me a lot of him.

Zetterberg had an edge I haven’t seen in Aho (yet). That guy got away with some pretty dirty stuff.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Zetterberg had an edge I haven’t seen in Aho (yet). That guy got away with some pretty dirty stuff.

Zetterberg? Maybe a few things that stick in your mind (like the hit on Pageau?), but over his career, Zetterberg is far from a dirty player. Heck, the guy only gets a handful of penalties every season. Don't get me wrong, he's not afraid to mix it up and like pretty much anyone with a long NHL career, they are going to have a few questionable plays, but overall, he's not a dirty player. If anything, he's been on the receiving end of more questionable hits (Weber driving his face into the boards) than he's dished out.

I've seen some of it from Aho, not dirty plays, but a willingness to mix it up - thus playing with an edge. Like when he readies for a hit along the boards and drives his shoulder into a guy trying to check him. Or some scuffles and talking after a play, etc. He's a competitive guy and I think we'll see more of it.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Zetterberg? Maybe a few things that stick in your mind (like the hit on Pageau?), but over his career, Zetterberg is far from a dirty player. Heck, the guy only gets a handful of penalties every season. Don't get me wrong, he's not afraid to mix it up and like pretty much anyone with a long NHL career, they are going to have a few questionable plays, but overall, he's not a dirty player. If anything, he's been on the receiving end of more questionable hits (Weber driving his face into the boards) than he's dished out.

I've seen some of it from Aho, not dirty plays, but a willingness to mix it up - thus playing with an edge. Like when he readies for a hit along the boards and drives his shoulder into a guy trying to check him. Or some scuffles and talking after a play, etc. He's a competitive guy and I think we'll see more of it.

Zetterberg is more of a sneaky stick guy, like Crosby.

Now, in fairness. Both of these guys have played a ton of high-intensity, high-profile games against nasty pieces of work like Weber and Pronger, so there’s a selection bias going on. Skinner would probably have stuck a guy or two if he were ever in that environment.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Zetterberg is more of a sneaky stick guy, like Crosby.

Now, in fairness. Both of these guys have played a ton of high-intensity, high-profile games against nasty pieces of work like Weber and Pronger, so there’s a selection bias going on. Skinner would probably have stuck a guy or two if he were ever in that environment.

Didnt Skinner get suspended for kicking a guy?

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Didnt Skinner get suspended for kicking a guy?

Yep, 2 game suspension in his 2nd or 3rd season.

 

[Lempo]

Finn fans in the WC forums constantly compared him to Saku, but I've always thought Zetterberg, from way back when we drafted him. He still reminds me a lot of him.

That's just the regular variety Finn fan foom.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Zetterberg had an edge I haven’t seen in Aho (yet). That guy got away with some pretty dirty stuff.

That just because our sweet elven boy has only been in the league for two years and was a slight spring chicken for one of them.

He clearly has some grind and some edge to his game that will only get better once he develops some old man strength.

 

[kelsier]

NHL best players

Matthews
McDavid
Marner
Ehlers
*huge gap with many players*
Aho

Ha, I'm not a Jets fan even though that's the team I follow the most (due to Laine) so I hang and talk a lot in HFJets so I know a lot of them. Anyway even I felt disgusted with the "Ehlers for Aho" (or whatever the) thread. Ehlers isn't anywhere close to Aho as a player and never will be. Most of the times teams' fans overvalue their own prospects and I suppose in that regard the Jets aren't any different.

Finn fans in the WC forums constantly compared him to Saku, but I've always thought Zetterberg, from way back when we drafted him. He still reminds me a lot of him.

Yeah we do but you have to understand that S. Koivu was/is a hockey icon over here and many people lived through his era as a hockey player all the way to his days in the TPS, first seasons in Montreal and until his last days in Anaheim. They do bare a lot similarities and we're not talking about size only but their hockey IQs were through the roof and both had the ability to control the game. I remember Saku at the same age and I honestly think Aho may be ahead of him. The older Koivu wasn't ever really a goal scorer but Aho can do that do. I do see a lot of Zetterberg in him like you. Koivu/Zetterberg hybrid isn't a bad thing at all. He has a fantastic future ahead of him and I really hope he gets to play with Svechnikov one day even if Necas is his country mate and also a C. The havoc these two could cause is just a filthy thing to to think about and instead of dragging or carrying players forward, he could have someone aside him that could match him in most aspects of the game. Aho should absolutely play center as soon as next season and prove that he belongs there.

 

[Stickpucker]

whatever the plan, it should allow for teuvo to be attached to his hip. there were rumors at the time of the trade that the hawks were openly concerned about his work ethic.

Zawaski: Perceived Lack Of Work Ethic Played A Role In Teuvo Teravainen's Exit From Blackhawks

aho's focus and intensity has had such a positive influence on teuvo's game in an observable way. there's something about the competition inside the competition between them that really challenges teuvo to emulate aho's pace. the confidence to be assertive is another aho trait that has really helped teuvo. it shows how much of a natural leader you have that not only does he command respect on an international level at such a young age, but he's inspiring a guy that for all intents and purposes should be inspiring him. he's developing a level of reverence devoted to the saku koivu class. what aho and teravainen were able to do in the world championships should serve as some sort of notice. we have a really cool thing happening here.

as for the center vs. wing debate, we should let him play wherever he wants. the way he thinks the game, he wouldn't put himself in a disadvantageous position.

You get the feeling that TT felt like Aho's big brother when he came here and was gonna show him the ropes of the NHL. Then Aho was all like I'm the big bro....and it definitely challenged TT.

 

[Stickpucker]

I think HCRBA being a players coach will let the team set the lineup for each game.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

You get the feeling that TT felt like Aho's big brother when he came here and was gonna show him the ropes of the NHL. Then Aho was all like I'm the big bro....and it definitely challenged TT.

Look at me....look at me... I'm the big bro now.

 

[Lempo]

You get the feeling that TT felt like Aho's big brother when he came here and was gonna show him the ropes of the NHL. Then Aho was all like I'm the big bro....and it definitely challenged TT.

If they ever gonna play golf together, TT gonna demand a trade.

 

[Vagrant]

You get the feeling that TT felt like Aho's big brother when he came here and was gonna show him the ropes of the NHL. Then Aho was all like I'm the big bro....and it definitely challenged TT.

teuvo played on a really veteran squad in chicago and those types of rooms can be challenging for young players who may not have a great deal of assertiveness in their game. he brought some of that submissive style risk-averse hockey in his first year in carolina as well before he put it together this year. out of all the aspects of aho's game, his supreme confidence might be my favorite. if ever there was a player that needed that influence, it was teuvo.

as far as the claims that we're making too much of aho at times, i say we're not making enough of him. he didn't score a single goal in october and still almost hit 30. he was practically a point per game the rest of the year. there's a case to be made that he might be a top 20 winger in the league and he can't legally drink here.

 

[emptyNedder]

as far as the claims that we're making too much of aho at times, i say we're not making enough of him. he didn't score a single goal in october and still almost hit 30. he was practically a point per game the rest of the year. there's a case to be made that he might be a top 20 winger in the league and he can't legally drink here.[/QUOTE]

Completely agree. As a center, Aho is going to be a 80-90 point scorer for the next decade. The comparisons to both Koivu/Zetterberg are perfectly reasonable. Aho has that level of talent and--as Vagrant has mentioned several times--thinks the game as well as anyone.

Aho and Teravainen do work exceedingly well together. However, I think folks undersell just how good Teravainen is even without Aho (I am not saying Aho hasn't helped push TT). CAR 1718 Teravainen With-or-Without You

Look at how much TT improved Rask's play--even Staal's and Slavin's. It is apparent that the Aho-Teravainen symbiosis goes both directions.

That is why I hope RBA at least breaks up Aho and Teravainen for a game or two in the pre-season. Svechnikov at RW with Aho at C will be as Vagrant describes "just a filthy thing." While TT at RW with Necas (and I would like to see McGinn at LW) might give Necas the opportunity to settle in.

The bottom line is that Canes now have 4 forwards (count em) who are young stars. Two are elite (Aho and Svech), one is near-elite (Teravainen) and one could be either (Necas). The next 8-10 years will be the golden days of the franchise.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

Svechnikov hasn’t played an nhl game yet but he’s elite while TT is only near-elite?

 

[GoldiFox]

Svechnikov hasn’t played an nhl game yet but he’s elite while TT is only near-elite?

Svechnikov is top tier Tavares, Stamkos, MacKinnon, Hall (for winger example) level elite.

Teravainen is a mid-level 1st line winger with the potential to be a good one. Nowhere near elite in my definition of the term.