Prospect Info: Aleksi Heponiemi (2017, #40 overall), Kärpät (Liiga)

[Kaako Kappo]

If Hepo were to sign his ELC for next season, the amount of games, nor where he plays for that matter, won't make a difference. Entry-level slide covers 18 and 19yo's, Hepo is currently on his 19yo season.

Only way to post-pone the year his ELC ends is if he stays with Kärpät (next season) and doesn't sign yet.

Oh yeah. That stuff. My bad. I still think he could make it just with his smarts alone.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

First period, he got to shoot a penalty shot. Filthy.

 

[FinlandPanther]

First period, he got to shoot a penalty shot. Filthy.

Man he was an excellent pick. Needs to get faster but kid has sky high potential.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

1+1 now. Almost put it in himself through the 5 hole but it didn't go over the goal line, so another player put it in.

E: 1+2. He is now PPG in Liiga.

 

[FinlandPanther]

1+1 now. Almost put it in himself through the 5 hole but it didn't go over the goal line, so another player put it in.

E: 1+2. He is now PPG in Liiga.

Jesus. Even I couldn’t have expected this kind of production. I knew it was on the table but I thought he’d be around .75 with his size and all.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Jesus. Even I couldn’t have expected this kind of production. I knew it was on the table but I thought he’d be around .75 with his size and all.

Well, Liiga is filled with smaller players. Also Kristian Vesalainen from the same draft class put up 43 points in 49 games last year & he was a year younger. To there's some perspective. While the numbers are impressive, the fact is that he plays on what could be considered a super -team in Liiga standards & young players seem to do better in Liiga than ever.

Nevertheless a great pick on second round. Playoffs will be a good challenge for him.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Jesus. Even I couldn’t have expected this kind of production. I knew it was on the table but I thought he’d be around .75 with his size and all.

Just to toss around some more numbers, his .ppg pace is now second best in Liiga (out of guys with 10+ games) and he's sixth in points despite the games missed.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Gotta say, personality wise he's been interesting to me; He's not exactly shy, but does almost zero interviews (which is strange because the Liiga rookies have been getting a lot of attention and all of them have been a part of a weekly youtube series, except Heponiemi), he hardly ever even smiles and doesn't seem to be shaken by anything. What I'm saying is that he has an unusually high concentration of ice in his veins.

 

[IceManCat]

Gotta say, personality wise he's been interesting to me; He's not exactly shy, but does almost zero interviews (which is strange because the Liiga rookies have been getting a lot of attention and all of them have been a part of a weekly youtube series, except Heponiemi), he hardly ever even smiles and doesn't seem to be shaken by anything. What I'm saying is that he has an unusually high concentration of ice in his veins.

He fits in with Barkov

 

[Haj]

Put him on the wing with Barkov and Huberdeau and watch him produce.

He could be our Debrincat.....even though Debrincat could have been our Debrincat.

 

[Ghoste]

He fits in with Barkov

Stone faced when they lift the Cup, that's gonna be awesome.

-ghoste

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Stone faced when they lift the Cup, that's gonna be awesome.

-ghoste

Like the early EA NHL 2000 game graphics. Their mouths dont even move and eyes dont blink

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Stone faced when they lift the Cup, that's gonna be awesome.

-ghoste

If they lift the Cup they can wear whatever face they want.

 

[RainingRats]

I can’t think of a prospect who was more impressive that we didn’t draft in the first round. Trocheck maybe.

He’s going to be really good. Just wonder if he’s going to play for us. He is a great trade chip for that too 4 d-man, imo.

 

[BabyBennettov]

I can’t think of a prospect who was more impressive that we didn’t draft in the first round. Trocheck maybe.

He’s going to be really good. Just wonder if he’s going to play for us. He is a great trade chip for that too 4 d-man, imo.

Heponiemi may be the one that will bite us in the ass... But yeah, I would dangle Hepo before any of our prospects for that defenseman !

 

[MintyFresh88]

Heponiemi may be the one that will bite us in the ass... But yeah, I would dangle Hepo before any of our prospects for that defenseman !

Personally, I would trade Tippett or Denisenko before Hepo. Hepo is at least playing with men and producing at this point. Tippett hasn’t proven anything beyond junior level.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Personally, I would trade Tippett or Denisenko before Hepo. Hepo is at least playing with men and producing at this point. Tippett hasn’t proven anything beyond junior level.

Tippett is probably the best of the 3 in terms of NHL potential imo

 

[FinlandPanther]

Personally, I would trade Tippett or Denisenko before Hepo. Hepo is at least playing with men and producing at this point. Tippett hasn’t proven anything beyond junior level.

Same. Denisenko worries me with his production, but as a prospect I LOVE the skill set.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

2019 1st+ or Denisenko+ should be offered up first for the top 4 RD.

Tippett or Hepo would only need a 2nd added to land a decent #4D who may have #3 potential. Depends on the buying team and who they prefer.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Sell high on Hepo a former second-rounder, one of our value pick lately...

And keep babysitting our last few first rounders... If those don't pan out, there will be a market for Tippett or Denisenko later because of their pedigree.

If Hepo comes in the NHL and doesn't cut it early, we will have a harder time to find a suitor for a second-rounder with known size and speed issues IMO.

But hey, I like those three a lot and rooting for them all too... Just that my mind is on trading Heponiemi for a "ransom" since his breakout !

 

[BabyBennettov]

Trade Heponiemi + Pysyk + 2nd 2019 for Trouba...

Sign Panarin and Bob for free.

Trade Hoffman early for futures !

Man, I love Hoffman, but I'd rather have those Russkofs !

See... Heponiemi is the first domino hihihi... And it could net us a pretty good D and futures for some 2nd rounders...

 

[Android 16]

Heponiemi is putting together one heck of a campaign.

This guy is for real.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

He adjusted to the WHL; adjusted to Liiga pretty fast... I know those aren't really comparable but he's so smart and sees the ice so well; eve if the adjustment takes some time he should be an excellent winger one day.

If we do part with him it better be a very good Dman coming back. I'd still be sad to see him go.

 

[Mara]

Heponiemi was chosen as Liiga player of the month for February.

10GP 7+7=14 +7

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I know Kärpät will probably coast to championship regardless, but I'm exited to see him in the playoffs.