C Aleksi Heponiemi- Modo, Hockey Allsvenskan, Sweden (2017, 40th, FLA)

[IceManCat]

Scoring is the most important thing and also predicts success very well. It's the most important thing when determining possible NHL success, the second-most important thing is skating(Which Petan btw lacks).

Scoring is important but it silly to suggest thats the only thing you should look for when determining success. Their is a long list of prolific junior scorers who could also skate that never made a thing for themselves at the NHL level.

 

[ijuka]

Scoring is important but it silly to suggest thats the only thing you should look for when determining success. Their is a long list of prolific junior scorers who could also skate that never made a thing for themselves at the NHL level.

But is that list longer than the list of skaters who got drafted because they were big despite having bad scoring and never amounted to anything? Indeed, my point.

You'll never have perfect odds, the point is to have high odds. Which production + skating consideration allows one to do pretty well. I wouldn't be shocked at all if simply judging players by scoring + skating(with slight consideration if they're undersized) outperformed most NHL GMs in drafting. There are so many steals that system gets, like Debrincat as mentioned, Gostisbehere, PK Subban etc.

 

[IceManCat]

But is that list longer than the list of skaters who got drafted because they were big despite having bad scoring and never amounted to anything? Indeed, my point.

You'll never have perfect odds, the point is to have high odds. Which production + skating consideration allows one to do pretty well. I wouldn't be shocked at all if simply judging players by scoring + skating(with slight consideration if they're undersized) outperformed most NHL GMs in drafting. There are so many steals that system gets, like Debrincat as mentioned, Gostisbehere, PK Subban etc.

I would say a better metric although unmeasurable is decision making on the ice. You need to account for things such as growth, height, leadership ability, year to year progression. Very short sighted to assume scoring and skating are the things that make a prospect succeed.

 

[ookhaab]

Looked good in preseason game against Kalpa.

He looked fast and REALLY good hands. Set up good passes to the fron of the net but teammates couldn't capitalize.

He also shot way more than I thought he would.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Kärpät - Sport 1-0 (after 20 mins)

1-0 Ohtamaa (Kupari, Heponiemi)

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Kärpät - Sport 4-0 (after 46 min)

4-0 Heponiemi (Kivihalme, Kupari)

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Kärpät - Sport 6-2, Heponiemi 1+1.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Aleksi Heponiemi | FinnProspects.com

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Kinda strange that Kärpät coach decided to play Hepo RW position instead LW, didn't pan out.
In the Champions League he played LW.

 

[Boxscore]

How far away is this kid from the Panthers?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

How far away is this kid from the Panthers?

Probably 2 to 3 years.
But in that age young players can take big development steps in 1 season so you never know.
I'm sure Jari Kekalainen as a Panthers European scout is monitoring Heponiemi's progress in Kärpät.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

 

[Artorius Horus T]

2 assists for Hepo tonight, so far.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Last 2 games for Hepo, 1 goal, 2 assists.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

What a waste though....why Kärpät coach keeps him off wing
- sure, he got 2 points tonight and he is pretty much ppg this season, but his 5 on 5 game significantly suffers
from him playing RW instead of LW i think.

From 6 points only 1 has come from 5 on 5.

I haven't seen him play, but when you look at the fact that he has only 1 point
you'd think he would perform better 5 on 5 when playing natural position
instead off wing.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

If LW, i reckon he would have 10 points already.

 

[Ippenator]

The kid is having a good night again. 1+1 so far and still some of the 3rd period left.

Already 9 points in 10 games so far, so he is almost PPG. He will be an absolute stud, if he can gain some good explosive strength and more core strength during the next couple of years. His skating and especially IQ and passing skills are that excellent, that I can’t see him not panning out as even a great NHL player, as long as he gets the strength issues fixed. Absolutely magnificent talent!

 

[FinPanda]

Another great Finnish prospect from the 2017 Draft.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I take it he projects to be a winger at the NHL level.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I take it he projects to be a winger at the NHL level.

Dunno, nothing except his passing looks special. He's not fast, he's not strong, his shot is not that good....eh... Not overly impressed.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

Dunno, nothing except his passing looks special. He's not fast, he's not strong, his shot is not that good....eh... Not overly impressed.

He is a pure playmaker. His passing is pretty damn good and he may carve an NHL career out of it.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

I take it he projects to be a winger at the NHL level.

He is a winger...always has been a winger (or at least past 3-4 years), he is a LW, who, at the moment play's off wing for Kärpät.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Dunno, nothing except his passing looks special. He's not fast, he's not strong, his shot is not that good....eh... Not overly impressed.

Surprise, surprise, Paul Maurice don't think much about his own country men.

FYI Heponiemi happens to be fast, quick skater, who owns a really good wrist shot (although should use it more often)
has a decent slap shot (nothing special), is a wizard dekester. Yes, without a doubt his best asset is his high IQ which
contributes as special playmaking ability.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Surprise, surprise, Paul Maurice don't think much about his own country men.

FYI Heponiemi happens to be fast, quick skater, who owns a really good wrist shot (although should use it more often)
has a decent slap shot (nothing special), is a wizard dekester. Yes, without a doubt his best asset is his high IQ which
contributes as special playmaking ability.

Oh, i like many of our prospects. Nothing but his passing (and decision making with the puck, AKA IQ) is NHL level right now. Another good thing i find about his game is that he's not afraid of physical contact. He'll battle for pucks with pleasure. If he's going to make it, he'll need couple of good summers.

These are just my own opinions I've formed from watching him.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

9 points in 10 rookie pro games (0.90 ppg) with avg of 15 minutes of ice times and playing off wing.