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

[Revel]

He's getting criticized this season because he's not producing like he usually does in the regular season.

Point taken, but my point is that he is under-appreciated for his three-zone, 2-way play.

I find it odd that you so readily defend Girardi, a defenseman who has become a suspect defensive player...yet you have diffculty crediting a Forward for still putting up at least decent Offensive numbers...and playing all-around solid hockey.

We all have our favorites, I suppose.

 

[aahola]

Saarela scored the game winning goal tonight in his team's 1-0 overtime win over Tappara:

http://www.ruutu.fi/video/2390428

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Who did he beat to the puck? Laine?

 

[FLYLine27*]

Wow! This kid is really turning into something!

 

[FLYLine27*]

Here is the YT video with commentary/crowd.

What a shot! Quick release, top corner, all at full speed!

 

[Revel]

Here is the YT video with commentary/crowd.

What a shot! Quick release, top corner, all at full speed!

End to end and no one could catch him. Impressive speed; impressive finish. This is a serious play. Gotta love it.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Who did he beat to the puck? Laine?

Says that in the tweet.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Says that in the tweet.

Oh, didn't even notice.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

What's his ceiling?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'd say 2nd line is probably his ceiling, good fourth line player is probably his floor.

 

[FinPanda]

Well he once was a 1st round prospect.. so he is good.

 

[RangerBoy]

Corey Pronman after the WJC

Saarela was never the best or second-best player for Finland in a given game, but he seemed to play well in every game of the tournament. His skating seemed better from when I saw him live last year, allowing him to use his above-average vision to play with a great pace and be part of a lot of scoring opportunities. He also has a above-average shot.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/insider/stor...pointments-2016-world-junior-championship-nhl

Saarela is a smaller player but he has the skill level to play in the NHL. The NHL is full of average players.