Prospect Info: Jesperi Kotkaniemi Part II

[Mrb1p]

Do you think he could develop in the AHL next year? Forgive the excitement and thank you for your time!

Sure, but for this year the best really is Liiga. Travel time, trainers, league play and all... its just much more evident.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

IMO, the best approach is to let Kotkaniemi play another year in Finland. Then next year when both him and Poehling turn pro, have them start in the AHL and call whoever is performing better out of the two after Christmas.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Do you think he could develop in the AHL next year? Forgive the excitement and thank you for your time!

For me, personally, I wouldn't be upset if he ends up in Laval. My first choice is he returns to Liiga. But I won't make a big stink if he ends up in the AHL.

I said it in the previous JK thread that one of the TSN690 morning guys said that they spoke to someone within the organization and they told him they want to be patient with JK and the impression he got was that they will return him to Finland.

 

[tazsub3]

For me, personally, I wouldn't be upset if he ends up in Laval. My first choice is he returns to Liiga. But I won't make a big stink if he ends up in the AHL.

I said it in the previous JK thread that one of the TSN690 morning guys said that they spoke to someone within the organization and they told him they want to be patient with JK and the impression he got was that they will return him to Finland.

i agree, people have to get out of their mind that Laval is a disaster for prospects, it is a whole new coaching staff, and one of the best young developing coaches to boot

 

[tazsub3]

IMO, the best approach is to let Kotkaniemi play another year in Finland. Then next year when both him and Poehling turn pro, have them start in the AHL and call whoever is performing better out of the two after Christmas.

Peohling will join the team after his season finish this year... at least thats my prediction

 

[cphabs]

Thanks!

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Peohling will join the team after his season finish this year... at least thats my prediction

It's a possibility, I do envision Evans being on the team by the deadline once the team moves Plekanec.

 

[jaffy27]

For me, personally, I wouldn't be upset if he ends up in Laval. My first choice is he returns to Liiga. But I won't make a big stink if he ends up in the AHL.

I said it in the previous JK thread that one of the TSN690 morning guys said that they spoke to someone within the organization and they told him they want to be patient with JK and the impression he got was that they will return him to Finland.

I second your opinion!!!

 

[Schwang]

IMO, the best approach is to let Kotkaniemi play another year in Finland. Then next year when both him and Poehling turn pro, have them start in the AHL and call whoever is performing better out of the two after Christmas.

Isn’t poehling still in school?

 

[Schwang]

I second your opinion!!!

No need to rush anyone this year

 

[Adam Michaels]

Isn’t poehling still in school?

Poehling can forego the rest of his college years to turn pro. But he can still choose to return to St. Cloud next year.

 

[Schwang]

Poehling can forego the rest of his college years to turn pro. But he can still choose to return to St. Cloud next year.

I knew about that but I thought I heard his intention was to graduate. No guarantee he will have a career in the nhl, so it’s best to finish school. I know he’s good, but you never know.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I knew about that but I thought I heard his intention was to graduate. No guarantee he will have a career in the nhl, so it’s best to finish school. I know he’s good, but you never know.

Pretty sure you can always return and finish it later on once you've started your studies, that was one of the big talking points for Leblanc back in his Harvard days.

 

[BaseballCoach]

It's a possibility, I do envision Evans being on the team by the deadline once the team moves Plekanec.

Evans isn't 1/4 the player Kotkaniemi is, and not much stronger despite his being older.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Evans isn't 1/4 the player Kotkaniemi is, and not much stronger despite his being older.

Okay and? Evans is projected to be a bottom six center most likely. Can you tell me exactly what the point is in comparing a player who's 22 years old and one who's 18? It's apple and oranges really.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Evans isn't 1/4 the player Kotkaniemi is, and not much stronger despite his being older.

Harsh

 

[Naslund]

He basically just turned 18. As a comparison, Austin Matthews was almost a full year older when he got drafted. As a 18 year-old, AM played center in the Swiss league. I don't see anything wrong with JK staying and learning in Finland, where he is comfortable. He will move from the wing to center this year on his team, play a ton of minutes, get faster, stronger and better. Based on his interviews, he seems to prefer staying in Finland one more year, so it's obvious to me that this is what we should do. This kid has a good head on his shoulder, that's easy to see. He's not Galchenyuk or Beaulieu in that regard. I think we can trust that he knows what's best for him. Montreal will be a dumpster fire this year. I want him to be away from it as much as possible. The pressure to promote him from the AHL will be tremendous if he does remotely well. Do you want him to be involved with this, to already have to face the irrational public pressure and expectations of Montreal, to play on a terrible team with no appropriate management leadership and direction? All of us that care about the team and JK's future should push for him to stay in Finland.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I knew about that but I thought I heard his intention was to graduate. No guarantee he will have a career in the nhl, so it’s best to finish school. I know he’s good, but you never know.

So far, all he's said is that the NHL isn't a development league, so he will decide to go pro when he feels he's ready. I don't recall him saying that he wants to finish school before going pro.

 

[groovejuice]

While I'm expecting at least a year with Assat, really got my fingers crossed that he has a monster camp. I know he's "young" but he's a 3rd overall pick coming from a men's league. He shouldn't appear far away at all...

Foreign words can make me giggle. One of the few ties left to my early childhood. Assat!

 

[HBDay]

i agree, people have to get out of their mind that Laval is a disaster for prospects, it is a whole new coaching staff, and one of the best young developing coaches to boot

You forgot, also new arena, new fanbase close to the city of Montreal... I haven't looked into it but I would imagineiit has to be up in it he echelon of best places to develop now. A call up means you cross the street to the bell (figure of speech) no bus no plane no hotel.

 

[Redux91]

Last thread is full. The saga continues here...

its weird but i feel like the Saga hasnt even STARTED yet lol, this is all just prep-drama lol

 

[Mrb1p]

You forgot, also new arena, new fanbase close to the city of Montreal... I haven't looked into it but I would imagineiit has to be up in it he echelon of best places to develop now. A call up means you cross the street to the bell (figure of speech) no bus no plane no hotel.

No planes in Liiga either. The longest bus ride is five hour, much less than AHL.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

One thing to add though, it is encouraging to see his skating has already showed signs of improvement just over the summer. It leaves us more hopeful then the time's we've seen guys with suspect skating barely improve over time (White, McCarron, Gregoire, etc).

 

[bsl]

Stop with the sophist dichotomies.

Kotkaniemi should be allowed to drvedevat an ideal pace rwgardlessof who the coach and GM are.

However, the toxic situation in Montreal increases the case against having Kotkaniemi make the Habs this year or next.

Big night out da?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Foreign words can make me giggle. One of the few ties left to my early childhood. Assat!

It's pronounced pretty close to ''ass-hat.'' Happy giggling.