G Eetu Laurikainen - Blues, FEL (2011 undrafted; 2015 signed, EDM)

[stevo61]

Just wondering if anyone has an info on the guy and why he hasn't been picked up. He's only 6'0 which isn't huge by goalie standards but he's put up solid numbers everywhere he's played and early on he has crazy numbers in Liiga.

Click to read more...

 

[JJTT]

Small undrafted goalies with no international games rarely get signed. While Laurikainen is pretty solid goalie with that size(closer to 5'10 in reality), it just isn't enough to get a NHL contract.

 

[WeThreeKings]

et tu, Brute?

 

[stevo61]

Small undrafted goalies with no international games rarely get signed. While Laurikainen is pretty solid goalie with that size(closer to 5'10 in reality), it just isn't enough to get a NHL contract.

The size explains a bit more. I was trusting eliteprospects which had him at 6'0.

 

[Hockeygekko]

Small undrafted goalies with no international games rarely get signed. While Laurikainen is pretty solid goalie with that size(closer to 5'10 in reality), it just isn't enough to get a NHL contract.

He sure was 5´10 sometime as a junior . Last time I saw him, he was at least 6´0, maybe even taller, 183-185 cm.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

unconfirmed rumours in Finland say he's been offered a contract by an NHL team (Iltasanomat), and at least one finger (random stranger on message boards) pointed at the Oilers

 

[R S]

Wouldn't be surprised. Was fantastic for Swift Current for a couple of years and I liked his game a lot. Just felt he was always a tad too small.

 

[izzy]

Not surprising someone needing a goalie would give him a shot.

 

[Aceonfire*]

Apparently he is an Oiler now.

 

[Del Preston]

Two-year contract with the Oilers apparently.

http://www.jaakiekkoexpertti.com/bluesissa-loistanut-eetu-laurikainen-nhl-sopimukseen/

Google translation of the first two paragraphs:

A little bushes Espoo risen Blues last season ykkösvahdiksi Eetu Laurikainen has made a NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers .

Data emanating from North America , the Edmonton Oilers have signed a two-year contract newcomer last season Espoo Blues with paint provided for protection against Eetu with Laurikaisen.

And he's listed on the prospect page on the Oilers site now:

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/roster.htm?type=prospect

 

[MCDAVIDISH]

Hmm interesting. Seems pretty low risk, seeing as bunz fell off the charts we definitely need to move on and try out other prospects. Never know when you've hit gold or not with a goalie.

 

[Aceonfire*]

Two-year contract with the Oilers apparently.

http://www.jaakiekkoexpertti.com/bluesissa-loistanut-eetu-laurikainen-nhl-sopimukseen/

Google translation of the first two paragraphs:


And he's listed on the prospect page on the Oilers site now:

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/roster.htm?type=prospect

Matti Virmanen was obviously behind this deal. The same guy that got us Pakarinen and he was likely behind the push for Raanta before Chicago got him.

He has a good eye for talent.

If they clear out the scouts I hope they keep him and Eklund.

 

[izzy]

Good on the Oilers.

 

[tony d]

Good for the Oilers, goaltending is a big issue for them, this guy could be the answer.

 

[McGlassbangers]

 

[R S]

Not terribly surprised. Had him rated just outside my top 45 WHL players for the 2013 NHL Draft. Extremely athletic goaltender with good fundamentals. Battles extremely hard in the cage, never quitting on pucks. Very good glove hand.

Size, or lack thereof, was always my only real concern.

He was one of the best goalies in the WHL during his time here.

 

[Topkatz]

Not terribly surprised. Had him rated just outside my top 45 WHL players for the 2013 NHL Draft. Extremely athletic goaltender with good fundamentals. Battles extremely hard in the cage, never quitting on pucks. Very good glove hand.

Size, or lack thereof, was always my only real concern.

He was one of the best goalies in the WHL during his time here.

Based on what you have seen, can you see him as a starter eventually in the NHL or more of a backup?

 

[R S]

Based on what you have seen, can you see him as a starter eventually in the NHL or more of a backup?

Definitely more of a backup. His lack of size remains an issue and ultimately I think he will make a good #3 type of guy within an organization if he can continue to take strides in his development.

 

[JayTam]

Not a fan of "Size-Issue- Cub" but it`s the case here. Goalies now a days have to be 6´3´´ and bigger, simply because you can put more padding on them...

 

[R S]

Not a fan of "Size-Issue- Cub" but it`s the case here. Goalies now a days have to be 6´3´´ and bigger, simply because you can put more padding on them...

Like it or not (I don't like it either) it is the case. In the last 3 NHL drafts there were 4 goalies taken who were 5'11 or under. That's out of like 50 goalies. Teams like big goalies and it's hard to really say that's a bad strategy. Sure, there will always be outliers so we'll see if Eetu has what it takes.

 

[bob27]

Just few years ago 5'11 Tim Thomas was the best goalie in the world. The game hasn't changed that much that being under 6 feet would be too much to overcome, if the talent is sufficient.

 

[JJTT]

Back to Finland. http://www.hpk.fi/maalivahti-eetu-laurikainen-lainasopimuksella-edmontonista-kerhoon/

 

[wings5]

Why wasn't he getting playing time?

 

[thalegion]

Why wasn't he getting playing time?

cause LB is a legit prospect and he couldn't outplay him.

 

[Reilly13]

cause LB is a legit prospect and he couldn't outplay him.

Nah I think its more because he's not getting the starts over Scrivens when he should be.

We're playing Scrivens hoping he plays well so we can move him for something, but he's playing terribly.