C/W Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Ässät, Liiga (2018, 3rd, MTL) Part II

[gifted88]

Count me as someone who wanted Zadina over Kotkaniemi. I had Zadina 3rd and Kotkaniemi 8th, not a huge difference, but enough to be disappointed with the pick.

Who is more likely to be a better player if Kotkaniemi stayed on the wing?

 

[Mrb1p]

Count me as someone who wanted Zadina over Kotkaniemi. I had Zadina 3rd and Kotkaniemi 8th, not a huge difference, but enough to be disappointed with the pick.

Who is more likely to be a better player if Kotkaniemi stayed on the wing?

Why would Kotkaniemi stay on the wing?

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Certainly looked sluggish vs. The Czechs the other day. Skating seems to be a major issue for Kotkaniemi. Luckily the hockey sense/IQ is there and the skating is an issue that can be worked on.

 

[gifted88]

Why would Kotkaniemi stay on the wing?

So you don't see any scenario where he would end up on the wing?

 

[HomeAndHome]

Certainly looked sluggish vs. The Czechs the other day. Skating seems to be a major issue for Kotkaniemi. Luckily the hockey sense/IQ is there and the skating is an issue that can be worked on.

He looked pretty good during the game Monday, yesterdays game the whole Finland team looked off. He made some pretty good plays with the puck at both ends of the ice, his skating looks fine when he's up to speed, but his first few steps could use some work, but I wouldn't put too much stock into a summer warm-up game.

 

[Hfbsux]

So you don't see any scenario where he would end up on the wing?

His Finland team, Assat, guaranteed he will be a top 6 center next year (if he goes back). Considering their coach is his dad, chances are slim to none that he will play the wing next year if he goes back to Liiga. Having seen him play a lot, his playing style fits the position of center perfectly. Hopefully he will progress into a good one.

 

[gifted88]

His Finland team, Assat, guaranteed he will be a top 6 center next year (if he goes back). Considering their coach is his dad, chances are slim to none that he will play the wing next year if he goes back to Liiga. Having seen him play a lot, his playing style fits the position of center perfectly. Hopefully he will progress into a good one.

What does his Assat team have to do with Montreal? Or are you implying his dad will come over and coach him in Montreal?

**IF** he doesn't work out at C, how does he compare to other wingers in this draft, particularly Zadina?

I get that C is a more valuable position than W, which is what people use to justify having him rated higher than the other players around his draft position. I'm asking without positional value how he would compare.

Geez, everyone is so butt hurt in here.

 

[Mrb1p]

So you don't see any scenario where he would end up on the wing?

Shit would have to hit the fan, yeah.

Maybe if we get Hughes and Poehling keeps developping nicely? Anyhow, him being able to play wing shouldnt be a negative, its a plus.

Certainly looked sluggish vs. The Czechs the other day. Skating seems to be a major issue for Kotkaniemi. Luckily the hockey sense/IQ is there and the skating is an issue that can be worked on.

He was behind the play all game, dominated play in the game the day before. Preseason of preseason though.

What does his Assat team have to do with Montreal? Or are you implying his dad will come over and coach him in Montreal?

**IF** he doesn't work out at C, how does he compare to other wingers in this draft, particularly Zadina?

I get that C is a more valuable position than W, which is what people use to justify having him rated higher than the other players around his draft position. I'm asking without positional value how he would compare.

Geez, everyone is so butt hurt in here.

Lets establish what you think both players bring as qualities.

 

[gifted88]

Lets establish what you think both players bring as qualities.

I admittedly haven't seen Kotkaniemi play outside of international tourny's. That's why I'm asking people who have seen him in Liiga as a winger.

 

[Mrb1p]

I admittedly haven't seen Kotkaniemi play outside of international tourny's. That's why I'm asking people who have seen him in Liiga as a winger.

Kotkaniemi would be a guy that wins board battles, cycle the puck effectively, plays good defense, provides playmaking from the wing and is able to score goals from outside and inside the hashmarks.

Zadina can score from the hashmarks at an elite rate, he does nothing else.

 

[gifted88]

Kotkaniemi would be a guy that wins board battles, cycle the puck effectively, plays good defense, provides playmaking from the wing and is able to score goals from outside and inside the hashmarks.

Zadina can score from the hashmarks at an elite rate, he does nothing else.

This reeks of bias, so where did you have Zadina ranked in the draft?

 

[Mrb1p]

This reeks of bias, so where did you have Zadina ranked in the draft?

5th behind Boqvist and Kotkaniemi.

I mean, he can score off the rush and he can make passes but thats not his value as a player.

 

[Deam78]

He looked pretty good during the game Monday, yesterdays game the whole Finland team looked off. He made some pretty good plays with the puck at both ends of the ice, his skating looks fine when he's up to speed, but his first few steps could use some work, but I wouldn't put too much stock into a summer warm-up game.

Where can you watch these games?

 

[Mrb1p]

Where can you watch these games?

Head on over the Habs board, watch for he summer showcase thread, theres lots of videos and we post live feed when theres a game.

That doesn't appear to be the case. Certain individuals on this specific thread seem more interested in a flame war than an actual discussion. Hence my refrain from bothering to acknowledge their existence passed a point. Thanks for your response and invitation, though.

Youd draft Rasmussen "as high as 5 in a redraft" oh ok.

 

[Deam78]

Head on over the Habs board, watch for he summer showcase thread, theres lots of videos and we post live feed when theres a game.

Great tip, thanks!

 

[gifted88]

5th behind Boqvist and Kotkaniemi.

I mean, he can score off the rush and he can make passes but thats not his value as a player.

So according to you, you had Zadina ranked ahead of players like Tkachuk & Hayton even though you think he's a one-dimensional player who's only value will be scoring goals from the hash-marks? I don't even know what to say here...

 

[Mrb1p]

So according to you, you had Zadina ranked ahead of players like Tkachuk & Hayton even though you think he's a one-dimensional player who's only value will be scoring goals from the hash-marks? I don't even know what to say here...

Brady and Barret dont have the offensige skillset Zadina or Kotkaniemi possesses.

 

[gifted88]

Brady and Barret dont have the offensige skillset Zadina or Kotkaniemi possesses.

But Zadina can only score goals from the hash-marks according to you. So Tkachuk can only score from the crease? I'm trying to wrap my head around how you have these guys rated.

 

[Mrb1p]

But Zadina can only score goals from the hash-marks according to you. So Tkachuk can only score from the crease? I'm trying to wrap my head around how you have these guys rated.

Brady cant score much, as evidenced by his poor numbers in his amateur career.

 

[Hfbsux]

What does his Assat team have to do with Montreal? Or are you implying his dad will come over and coach him in Montreal?

**IF** he doesn't work out at C, how does he compare to other wingers in this draft, particularly Zadina?

I get that C is a more valuable position than W, which is what people use to justify having him rated higher than the other players around his draft position. I'm asking without positional value how he would compare.

Geez, everyone is so butt hurt in here.

I'm sorry if you thought I was butt hurt; I was not. I also re-read my comment and I still fail to see what I said that triggered you. I thought you were talking about next year. Montreal sees him as a center just like most people who saw him play. Like I said, his style is perfect for that position. With the need we have down the middle, I just can't see how we would send him on the wing. Galchenyuk was not put on the wing just because they felt like it. Galchenyuk was not good defensively and lacked hockey IQ which are Kotkaniemi's strenght... at 17 years old.

But to answer your question. For example, Kopitar on the wing would not be as successful as Kopitar at center. Ovechkin at center would not drive his line and would be in the minus. So I don't think you can ask that question when comparing 2 prospects.

 

[gifted88]

Brady cant score much, as evidenced by his poor numbers in his amateur career.

He scored 12 goals, 1 more than he had assists in 2016-17 with the junior US development program and put up 25 with the national development team though. Sure he only had 8 last year against men but that's still a better rate than Kotkaniemi scored at against men.

We get it, your high on Kotkaniemi. But your bias is showing hardcore.

 

[Mrb1p]

He scored 12 goals, 1 more than he had assists in 2016-17 with the junior US development program and put up 25 with the national development team though. Sure he only had 8 last year against men but that's still a better rate than Kotkaniemi scored at against men.

We get it, your high on Kotkaniemi. But your bias is showing hardcore.

I was high on Kotkaniemi before he was a Hab though, had him at 4 since about febuary.

Also
Ncaa
Men

Choose one.

 

[gifted88]

Who is more likely to be a better player if Kotkaniemi stayed on the wing?

So you don't see any scenario where he would end up on the wing?

His Finland team, Assat, guaranteed he will be a top 6 center next year (if he goes back). Considering their coach is his dad, chances are slim to none that he will play the wing next year if he goes back to Liiga. Having seen him play a lot, his playing style fits the position of center perfectly. Hopefully he will progress into a good one.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get pissy. I asked how he would compare to Zadina if both are on the wing. You just happened to jump into the reply I had for Mrb1p when he stated there was no way he would be a winger.

I guess I should have said that I wasn't asking about next year only.

 

[Mrb1p]

Sorry, I didn't mean to get pissy. I asked how he would compare to Zadina if both are on the wing. You just happened to jump into the reply I had for Mrb1p when he stated there was no way he would be a winger.

I guess I should have said that I wasn't asking about next year only.

I doubt he ends up a winger though, the organisation learned from Galchenyuk ( whos most likely going to be a C now in Arizona) and theres nothing in the pipeline. As I said, unless the habs draft Hughes.

 

[Hostile Offer]

I'm sorry if you thought I was butt hurt; I was not. I also re-read my comment and I still fail to see what I said that triggered you. I thought you were talking about next year. Montreal sees him as a center just like most people who saw him play. Like I said, his style is perfect for that position. With the need we have down the middle, I just can't see how we would send him on the wing. Galchenyuk was not put on the wing just because they felt like it. Galchenyuk was not good defensively and lacked hockey IQ which are Kotkaniemi's strenght... at 17 years old.

But to answer your question. For example, Kopitar on the wing would not be as successful as Kopitar at center. Ovechkin at center would not drive his line and would be in the minus. So I don't think you can ask that question when comparing 2 prospects.

IQ wasn't really Galchenyuk's achilles' heel to play at centre, he just lacked effort big time and never learned that, for whatever reason. But otherwise, this post is spot on.