LW Saku Mäenalanen - Kärpät, FEL (2013, 125th overall, Nashville)

[JJTT]

Born: 1994-05-29, Tornio, Finland
Height: 6'3
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left

Stats:
FEL: 10 Games 1+2=3 +4
Fin-2 15 Games 9+6=15 +9
WJC U20 5 Games 6+1= 7 +6

5th round draft pick by Nashville, leads WJC in goals with 6.

Zero talk about this kid. All the tools to become a very good NHL-player

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=73109

Click to read more...

 

[Pajicz]

He has certainly been impressive, although playing with TT surely has helped him a lot... Didn't know who he was when Nashville drafted him last June, but it surely looks like a good pick for them now. Good mix of size and skill.

 

[alexmanu]

Nashville tend to do well drafting in the later rounds. He looks a good prospect.

 

[urho]

He has certainly been impressive, although playing with TT surely has helped him a lot...

It's not just TT-effect, he looked quite promising with Kärpät earlier this year. Also, PPG in men's 2nd league isn't bad either...

 

[Michael Farkas]

Big Finn who does well around the net. He can finish in close and make space for himself. I don't have the ability to see him much in league play or else I would, but he seems to maybe have complementary scorer upside at the NHL level. Maybe another Hornqvist type? A guy that goes to the paint with toughness and can finish for more talented playmakers...

 

[alexmanu]

Big Finn who does well around the net. He can finish in close and make space for himself. I don't have the ability to see him much in league play or else I would, but he seems to maybe have complementary scorer upside at the NHL level. Maybe another Hornqvist type? A guy that goes to the paint with toughness and can finish for more talented playmakers...

Could maybe be on a future line with Forsberg?.... hmmm

 

[Hagged]

It's not just TT-effect, he looked quite promising with Kärpät earlier this year. Also, PPG in men's 2nd league isn't bad either...

It's actually only half of Teemu Selanne's production in the same league at the same age (36 goals, 69 points in 35 games).

 

[alexmanu]

It's actually only half of Teemu Selanne's production in the same league at the same age (36 goals, 69 points in 35 games).

Selanne is a completely different type of player and he's one of the best goalscorers. I don't think anyone is projecting that for Maenalanen.

 

[JJTT]

It's actually only half of Teemu Selanne's production in the same league at the same age (36 goals, 69 points in 35 games).

So Mäenalanen will only score 300 goals in the NHL?

 

[Finnsane]

It's actually only half of Teemu Selanne's production in the same league at the same age (36 goals, 69 points in 35 games).

Yes, cause '88-89 is very comparable to '13-14

 

[sansabri]

played pretty well against Team Canada.

 

[sansabri]

and a goal and an assist in the gold medal game.

Nashville looks to have a steal here.

 

[Gabranth]

He has the size and looks to be really good in front of the net. I hope that this tournament was a turning point in his career, and he starts to light it up in Liiga.

 

[JJTT]

He has the size and looks to be really good in front of the net. I hope that this tournament was a turning point in his career, and he starts to light it up in Liiga.

There just isn't any room for him in Kärpät. He should stay with jokipojat and go to ahl next year.

 

[Gabranth]

There just isn't any room for him in Kärpät. He should stay with jokipojat and go to ahl next year.

Yeah, Could be better. Have you been watching him? In his Liiga games, what line was he in? what about time on ice?

 

[JJTT]

Yeah, Could be better. Have you been watching him? In his Liiga games, what line was he in? what about time on ice?

He played with Donskoi and Kemppainen on third line with no pp time. Scored one nice goal when he powered through the whole Tappara team but was pretty invisible for the most part in the other games.

 

[nomorekids]

I see a lot of Patric Hornqvist in him...but bigger and more physical.

Gritty player with offensive ability and quick hands that can create havoc in front of the net.

 

[DKQ]

I see a lot of Patric Hornqvist in him...but bigger and more physical.

Gritty player with offensive ability and quick hands that can create havoc in front of the net.

This was the comparison that came to mind as well. Maybe a bit like Bryan Bickell as well

 

[JJTT]

Goal for Saku in his first game back from WJC in FEL. Went off his skate but still a goal. Had few other scoring changes and looked good defensively with nice back check and few takeaways. Even delivered couple of good hits. Played in third line with no pp minutes.

Kärpät lost and the whole team played like crap, so i think he will get more ice time next week as he was one of the better players.