A fairly small forward, Aaltonen can play as a center or in the left wing. He is a goal-scorer with good puckhandling and creativity. He also has very good playmaking-ability and is a useful assett on the man-advantage. Aaltonen skates well and has decent top-speed. He works hard but lacks physicality and needs to add plenty of strength. The 2012/2013 season was an important one for Aaltonen who took a big step forward in the summer and started to get on the board regularily in the SM-liiga. However, he missed a great part of the 2nd half of the season after breaking his ankle at the World Junior Championships. (Matias Strozyk, 2013)
I'm not sure about Aaltonen's NHL potential, but I do like him as a player. Smart, responsible, and skilled. I guess you could say there is some similarities between him, and former Ducks finnish draft pick Petteri Wirtanen.
Here is what I wrote on the Draft thread:
He's not actually very far off from guys like Markus Granlund talent-wiseat this point. He's had a couple of serious injuries, but he's bounced back both times and especially last season was great from him development-wise. He has a nice scoring touch, is a good skater, works hard and leads. Good package for a 6th rounder IMO.
Meh.
Would rather see us drafting Lipsbergs (for obvious reasons )
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=51912
But he was also Theodedors teams best scorer. Really don`t understand this, i think he would be a solid pickup even in 5th round or 4th.
That's not saying much, though. Wirtanen had a cup of joe and that's it, if I remember right.
Agreed. Either he makes it as a top 6 player in NHL or he doesn't make it at all. Would like to see him in Norfol in Autumn.
IMO Aaltonen is twice faster than Wirtanen also much better offensively in every category.I was just saying he reminds me of him when they were the same age. Wirtanen was just bigger and better defensively, while Aaltonen is more talented offensively. They are hard-working players and they both have a good understanding of the game.
Miro getting some love in NHL.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=771379
"the organization may have uncovered a diamond in the rough in center Miro Aaltonen (2013, No. 177), who continues to impress in Liiga, Finland's top professional league"
Miro had strong season and will play in the top team Kärpät next season. One of the best clubs in whole Europe. Though he is already 22 but players have been late bloomers even in older years. Kemppainen for example signed to Boston from Kärpät at 27.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=44162
Yeah, it's a shame he isn't our prospect anymore. If Bob wanted to hang on to his rights, he should've signed him by now. Now it looks like Aaltonen will take the Donskoi route.
Miro getting some love in NHL.com
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=771379
"the organization may have uncovered a diamond in the rough in center Miro Aaltonen (2013, No. 177), who continues to impress in Liiga, Finland's top professional league"
Miro had strong season and will play in the top team Kärpät next season. One of the best clubs in whole Europe. Though he is already 22 but players have been late bloomers even in older years. Kemppainen for example signed to Boston from Kärpät at 27.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=44162
Why did Ducks walk away from Aaltonen is beyond me
last 3 seasons : 16G+20A (+6) | 17G+23A (+12) | 16+23 (+12)
Singed this season to KHL (1 year) 2 games played
1 game winning goal and 2 assists.
Why did Ducks walk away from Aaltonen is beyond me
last 3 seasons : 16G+20A (+6) | 17G+23A (+12) | 16+23 (+12)
Singed this season to KHL (1 year) 2 games played
1 game winning goal and 2 assists.