Prospect Info: #43OA - C/LW Janne Kuokkanen - Karpat, FIN (traded to NJ)

DaveG

Noted Jerk
Apr 7, 2003
51,016
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Winston-Salem NC
How did he look at the camp?

He had some flashes of real brilliance in his play. He's more of a project then Aho, who just seemingly was underscouted and we took advantage of that, but he has some good tools to work with. Definitely caught a few guys off guard with passes at times that were in the "how the hell did that get through" sense.

Not sure whether he projects better as a center or a wing yet at this point. Funny to say but that might actually depend on Aho. If Aho can play center and is the real deal at it, like he was at the WJC this past year, then the emphasis will absolutely be on Janne playing the wing long-term.
 

NotOpie

"Puck don't lie"
Jun 12, 2006
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North Carolina
He had some flashes of real brilliance in his play. He's more of a project then Aho, who just seemingly was underscouted and we took advantage of that, but he has some good tools to work with. Definitely caught a few guys off guard with passes at times that were in the "how the hell did that get through" sense.

Not sure whether he projects better as a center or a wing yet at this point. Funny to say but that might actually depend on Aho. If Aho can play center and is the real deal at it, like he was at the WJC this past year, then the emphasis will absolutely be on Janne playing the wing long-term.

I think the hope is that Aho can be a long term RW solution.
 

Eidyia

Registered User
Jan 5, 2011
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Oulu
Kuokkanen would NOT have been a first line or even a second line center for Kärpät. Maybe a third liner depending on who they sign before the season starts and how other prospects like Kalapudas, Vartiainen and Koblizek play in the pre-season.

As much as I'd love to see Janne play for his hometown team, I think this is a good move from his part. As many have said Kärpät is in a transition period and the coach who pretty much developed Aho, Puljujärvi, Donskoi etc. left to coach the Finnish national team.

I'm sure Olli Juolevi and Olli Määttä told good things about London Knights to Kuokkanen and it seems to be a bit of trend for young Finnish players to move to North American junior leagues.
 

GoldiFox

Registered User
Apr 21, 2014
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Kuokkanen with 2 goals + 1 assist and is a +4 in London's first Preseason game (they won 5-1).

Start this hype train rollin - Kuokkanen is gonna be front and center on a monster team this year.
 

Dr Quincy

Registered User
Jun 19, 2005
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Kid is looking great in London. Leading the OHL in preseason points. I know... these games don't mean anything, but still, looks like a nice transition.
 

GoldiFox

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Apr 21, 2014
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In the games that Kuokkanen has played in, he has points on 6 of 7 total goals. He's going to be a big part of one of the best offenses in the CHL. Good stuff.
 

GoldiFox

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Apr 21, 2014
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This was posted on the prospects board before his 3 point night last night in which he was named 1st star. 16 points in 12 games so far and he has been heating up.
 

DaJackal

Registered User
Aug 3, 2015
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Eastern front
Is this a guy we could see on opening night roster next season or does he need more AHL/OHL development time? or is it too soon to tell?

Too soon to tell, but judging on his 15-16 season I predict that he is worth the 9 game look in the NHL come next autumn. He reminds me a bit of Artturi Lehkonen.
 

NotOpie

"Puck don't lie"
Jun 12, 2006
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North Carolina
Don't want to say I told you so....well okay, I'll say it.

Something about blind pigs and corncobs....

Seriously though, you could tell this kid was going to be special given his time on Karpat's U20 team.
 

tarheelhockey

Offside Review Specialist
Feb 12, 2010
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Bojangles Parking Lot
Too soon to tell, but judging on his 15-16 season I predict that he is worth the 9 game look in the NHL come next autumn.

I think that's his best path to the NHL. Take this year to focus on dominating against boys. Next year continue to focus on development and improvement against men in the AHL, but also spend a bit of time swimming in the deep end. Then come back for Fall 2018 training camp as a 20 year old with an opportunity to make the big club and take that next natural step.
 

RodTheBawd

Registered User
Oct 16, 2013
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I think that's his best path to the NHL. Take this year to focus on dominating against boys. Next year continue to focus on development and improvement against men in the AHL, but also spend a bit of time swimming in the deep end. Then come back for Fall 2018 training camp as a 20 year old with an opportunity to make the big club and take that next natural step.

A path I wish Aho had followed. And not because he's not good enough, but because Carolina isn't good enough.
 

Lempo

Future Considerations Truther
Sponsor
Feb 23, 2014
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Damnit man, it was good intel. He got a ~10 Games Played bonus of $82,500, maybe they call him up when there's about nine games left.

A wake-up call for the Borg to look at the every now and then to the prospect pool for a call up wouldn't be completely out of order.
 
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Jason MacIsaac

Registered User
Jan 13, 2004
22,221
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Halifax, NS
Damnit man, it was good intel. He got a ~10 Games Played bonus of $82,500, maybe they call him up when there's about nine games left.

A wake-up call for the Borg to look at the every now and then to the prospect pool for a call up wouldn't be completely out of order.
Interesting, definitely a key part of Binghamton, carrying a garbage center on his line right now. If they weren't in the race he wouldnt touch AHL again.
 
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