Alright.. here we go
Recently I saw 2 games of Toni Rajala on VHS that some how my uncle had gotten for me.
Name: Rajala, Toni
Position: Left Wing
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 160 Lbs
Current Team: Ilves Tampere Junior-A team (I think he may even play a few games on Ilves Tampere SM-Liiga team this year too)
Pros:
- Great Speed- Ability to control any game. The tournament game I saw he scored the first goal in :53 seconds on a Defensive Zone to Offensive Zone break away where he mutilated defenders
- Supreme Puckhandling- He's got a way to make the puck stick to his stick. He's able to read the ice while maintaining a strong grip on the puck. This helps him create more plays than other people.
- Great Shot- Since Rajala has no problem keeping the puck, he is able to avidly veiw the net for open spots and he's got a great shot. The first goal in the tournament game was a beauty. Skills like this is what people look for in the new NHL.
- Mature Game- Playing many age levels above his shows a great level of maturity. This is the strongest comparison to Sidney Crosby. He plays like a veteran and he's a gem of a playmaker. He's got a great head. In the same tournament game with his 53 second goal, Rajala continued to set up 2 amazing goals. One of the passes was through traffic.
- Early Age Spotlight- May be a curse or a gift, but scouts are now able to track his developement because his name got out there at such an early age. Alot of scouts are liking his package that he brings, with alot of great offensive tools.
Cons:
- Still Developing Defensive Game- While Rajala is great with the puck and in the offensive zone, Rajala is still developing his defensive skills. While he does have a few assets, he still struggles a bit in his own zone. When he does get the puck in the D-Zone he does get it out.
- 'Daigle-itus'- A sickening disease that overhypes players in the minor level. The major issue with Rajala is he is just coming into his competitive zone. Making Team Finland at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is great, so is making Ilves Junior-A, but until he plays games in those he's still just a junior-phenom. But I've got a good feeling he will continue because he possesses skills that will easily transfer team-to-team. I put this in Con because he hasn't shown anything on the big-arena yet, which is understanable because he's only 16 and he's only just begun to play with 20 year olds . But he will dominate at the Junor-A level and possibly make his SM-Liiga team this year.
- Being Finnish- SM-Liiga is not the NHL (tell us something we don't know Finnerican!!). That may be a make-it or break-it point for him. Many stars like Joensuu, have done well in Finland but struggled in the NHL. But the path that Rajala is on right now is a positive one. In my opinion he will be a superstar in the NHL.
Future: Definately a NHL first liner, Franchise tag will be slapped on him soon enough. This kid is the real deal. Time and developement are on his side. Watch out in 2009 for Toni Rajala. He'll be a star. Mark my words.
Any more questions just ask me