Prospect Info: 2015 NHL Draft - Pick #89 - Aleksi Saarela

[Hunter Gathers]

Name: Aleksi Saarela
Position: C
Nationality: Finnish

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 180 lbs
Team: Assat
League: FHL

Scouting report(s):

Elite Prospects

A dangerous offensive winger that creates energy through scoring chances. Possesses good hockey sense as well as good hands and stickhandling ability. A smooth and speedy skater who has a lot of jump in his step. Not very large in stature; however, his diminutive size doesn't deter his scoring prowess, and that is what he will have to rely upon to be successful. (Curtis Joe, EP 2014)
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Future Considerations

A smart and creative offensive playmaker……skating stride is fluid and powerful, has no problems getting from Point A to Point B…is slick and slippery with the puck…has strong vision and puck-distribution skills, but can go through stretches of hanging out on the perimeter a little too much…willing to play physical and battle for the puck…has a strong and accurate wrist shot that he gets off quickly…dangerous one-timer…he does give a solid effort, but still has room to grow to be considered a strong defensive player…highly talented, but has built a reputation this past year for being injury prone. (December 2014)

Statistics:

Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2012-13	Lukko Rauma	SM-liiga	3	1	1	2	0	-2					
2013-14	Lukko Rauma	SM-liiga	12	0	2	2	2	-4					
2014-15	Assat Pori	SM-liiga	51	6	6	12	18	-7

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[Gardner McKay]

Need moar info. Good pick?

 

[Doctyl]

I don't know anything about him.

 

[RangerBoy]

 

[Fitzy]

He was in the top league at a 17 year old, which is a good sign.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Was once thought of as a top 20 pick or so.

 

[Ian]

Need moar info. Good pick?

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[agent082]

He was projected to be a top 3 pick 5-6 years ago.

 

[Noose18]

He was considered as the top finnish pick on this draft couple years back.

He dominated the junior leagues in Finland. Put very similar numbers with Mikael Granlund, hes development still somehow took a step back when he tried to jump up to the mens leage in Rauman Lukko of the finnish Elite league. Last season he played mostly 3rd line minutes in Assat.

Very good hockey IQ all in all. Very good vision on the ice and can give those amazing passes that only few players are able to see.


Time will tell.

 

[Bluenote13]

All projection with this kid, high energy, tenacious and for a small guy has a nice stocky frame, think Sean Bergenheim.

 

[Trxjw]

Here's your Tony Duclair-esque pick. Was thought of as a 1st rounder but struggled this year.

 

[LetterJ]

He was projected to be a top 3 pick 5-6 years ago.

Sounds like the Duclair slide. Similar reasons???

 

[wolfgaze]

He was projected to be a top 3 pick 5-6 years ago.

When he was 12/13?

 

[darko]

Upside pick.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar

 

[Doctyl]

So boom or bust pick? Happy theyre shooting for potential in the later rounds.

 

[One Winged Angel]

Sounds like a boom or bust pick, sounds like he has a ton of potential though.

 

[Son of Steinbrenner]

Any CHL teams own his junior rights?

What's the best way for a kid like this to develop? In a men's league in Finland or with kids his age in the CHL?

 

[offdacrossbar]

good player here. great skils.

dropper due to a so-so season in the finn elite.

well built kid who tries to do too much sometimes. needs to simplify his game.

a very good boom type pick.

along with kovacks, imo, 2 very smart picks via the euro team. both kids have real talent.

i like taking high end skills guys with upside over muckers who dont develop.

 

[Jussi]

Out of date weight in the OP. He's 198 pounds/96 kilos. Also 178 cm/5' 10" tall.

He's had bad luck with concussions the past couple of seasons. He's from my hometown, like his dad who was the Finnish league top goal scorer twice. Over here it's widely talked he's one concussion away from retirement. Managed to play last season without concussion issues but had some minor injury issues (unfortunately missed games when scouts would have watched him). Seemed to find his game at the WJC based on the games I was able to watch via streams. Didn't seem scared at all.

 

[darko]

178 cm and 96 kgs. What a tank. Sucks about the concussions.

 

[Jussi]

When he was 12/13?

More like 2-3 years ago, as a 15 year old. That was before he had any concussion issues.

Any CHL teams own his junior rights?

What's the best way for a kid like this to develop? In a men's league in Finland or with kids his age in the CHL?

He's guaranteed at least 2nd line minutes with Ässät in Pori. No reason to go to CHL at his age.

 

[Ola]

Thx Jussi, was about to ask about his dad. Remember him...

Will play WJC for Finland, like Kovac for Sweden. Exciting. We haven't had many kids there in a while...

 

[agent082]

When he was 12/13?

Maybe 4 years ago, but he was discussed much earlier than players usually. Even his hfboads page is made 4 years ago.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=907334

 

[Jussi]

178 cm and 96 kgs. What a tank. Sucks about the concussions.

Just like his dad. Pretty much identical measurements when he was playing. Both known for having really hard shots. His dad was known for his slap shot, "Allu" is more known for his wrist shot.