Prospect Info: Michael Keränen (5/22: Signed to 1 year contract)

[mezcal]

Wild Inks Michael Keränen To One-Year Deal

http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=721870

The Minnesota Wild has added to its pool of young forwards, signing free agent Michael Keranen to a two-way contract for the 2014-15 season.

“We are excited to get Michael under contract for next season,†Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher said. “He had a very good year in Finland and our scouting staff thinks he is ready for the challenge of coming to North America. We are happy to add him to our lists of prospects and look forward to seeing how he performs in training camp.â€

Keranen recorded 52 points (17-35=52), 47 penalty minutes (PIM) and a plus-12 rating in 52 games for Ilves Tampere in Finland’s Elite League in 2013-14. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound native of Stockholm, Sweden, led the league with six game-winning goals, ranked tied for first in scoring and tied for second in assists. He received the Golden Helmet Award (voted for by the players) as the best player in the Finnish League, the Lasse Oksanen Award as the best player during the regular season and was named to the 2013-14 All-Star Team. Keranen tallied 27 points (13-14=27) in 56 games with Ilves in 2012-13. The 24-year-old has collected 101 points (41-60=101) and 122 PIM in 194 games over the last four seasons with Ilves in Finland’s Elite League.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=16456

Click to read more...

 

[Lapa]

I like it.

 

[obv]

I like it alot too but hate that he wont play for HIFK next season

 

[FinRuutu]

God Damn!

He was supposed to play for my team (HIFK) in FEL next season and I was waiting for it.

Oh well, its his career and this is no doubt the right decision. Hes a bit late bloomer but I think he has what it takes to play in the NHL. Exciting player to watch. Nice set of hands, great playmaking abilities but also a nose for the net if opportunity presents itself. Unlike Granlund or Koivu, he does shoot if theres a place.

Have fun with him Wild.

 

[Engebretson]

Not bad. Hopefully he tacks on some bulk to that 176 lbs.

I like that it's a 1 year and 2-way deal. A lot of flexibility for both sides with not a huge commitment.

 

[mikko1995]

Not bad. Hopefully he tacks on some bulk to that 176 lbs.

I like that it's a 1 year and 2-way deal. A lot of flexibility for both sides with not a huge commitment.

Pretty sure that one year deal was all they could give him considering he was an undrafted UFA.

 

[JJTT]

He's going to train with Granlund brothers, Rämö, Honka and Komarov etc. this off season so he will improve his physique a lot.

http://www.spartacus.fi/4

 

[ThatGuy22]

I'm confused. Is he a Swede or a Fin. Born in Sweden, but Elite Prospects has him playing in Finland since atleast 14 years old. Also apears to have represented Finland internationally.

 

[Lapa]

I'm confused. Is he a Swede or a Fin. Born in Sweden, but Elite Prospects has him playing in Finland since atleast 14 years old. Also apears to have represented Finland internationally.

He's Finnish. He was just born in Sweden.

 

[Lapa]

 

[Generic User]

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss....

 

[ThatGuy22]

Center or Wing?

 

[TZM]

Cool.

 

[aahola]

Center or Wing?

He played at wing this season (I think right wing). He has occasionally played center on previous seasons but I'd say he's a winger.

 

[FinPanda]

Like this very much.

 

[ThatGuy22]

The Wild seem like an odd choice for the guy. Granted we've got a ton of Finnish connections, but there are certainly easier teams to try break into for a skilled winger.

Oh well, good for us atleast.

 

[Noma]

Keränen's Finnish club HIFK announced, that they have agreed with the Wild that if Keränen doesn't make the NHL roster right after the training camp, he will be returning to Finland.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Awesome!

 

[Phenomenon]

I like this a lot. According to rumors Michael was supposed to got to the Panthers, but Wild is a better team for him by far (I love it in Minneapolis in my visit a while ago). He is probably not ready to step in to the big team right away, but is a player who is going to give a lot of entertainment.

He has a great balance, a good shot and moves like Datsyuk, but still needs to bulk up to get it done in the NHL. He took a lot of risks when playing in the PP as a blue line shooter and defensive play is not his strength. He is a late bloomer and his development has got huge steps in a couple of seasons. so I would not be surprised if his name was in the Wild roster when the season begins.

As a person he is as great as FBJ. Maybe the nickname for him would follow the same pattern: AFBJ - an Apostle Finnish of Baby Jesus?

 

[FiLe]

The Wild seem like an odd choice for the guy. Granted we've got a ton of Finnish connections, but there are certainly easier teams to try break into for a skilled winger.

Could be the cultural connection. Let's keep in mind that it's not just off, but on the ice as well. If he somehow makes the roster, he'll almost certainly have a Finnish linemate since I believe Wild's top-three centers are all Finns.

 

[Gaps]

Keränen's Finnish club HIFK announced, that they have agreed with the Wild that if Keränen doesn't make the NHL roster right after the training camp, he will be returning to Finland.

Not surprised he won't go to Iowa. He gets paid better in Finland than in the AHL.

We'll see what happens but personally I think him making the team is a long shot. I also question his attitude after his behavior with the NT this spring.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Not surprised he won't go to Iowa. He gets paid better in Finland than in the AHL.

We'll see what happens but personally I think him making the team is a long shot. I also question his attitude after his behavior with the NT this spring.

Whats the NT(National Team I assume) story?

 

[Lennu32]

I like it alot too but hate that he wont play for HIFK next season

This. Very mixed feelings. This sure sucks for HIFK as I predicted in trade thread

And I thought he's physically not ready.

Well, some relief is that he signed with Wild
It seems the deal is that if Keränen doesn't make to the roster from training camp, he plays for HIFK. Very safe and good deal for Wild and Keränen could be a steal potentially. Dude's got skill.

Wild and HIFK seems to have a good relationship. Maybe Pakarinen next year?

 

[kelsier]

Uh, wow! Got really curious about this guy mid season. He was putting up crazy numbers in a pretty lousy team and eventually battled Teräväinen for the points in the end season. Very impressive stuff. The guy has some skills that will translate in the NHL level if he's given enough minutes and by just being patient. What I actually wonder is why Minnesota (even with the finnish connection). There are plenty of easier rosters to break. Then I just concluded that this guy must have one heck of a crazy level confidence.

If he was to break through the camp Wild would be just so enjoyable to watch. Finn here, Finn there!

 

[Phenomenon]

Whats the NT(National Team I assume) story?

It is the national team. He was one of the best forwards in the training camp, but was not selected to the team. When there were some denials due to injuries (true or false), he was offered a reserve player place in the team, but Michael said no. He stated that instead of eating popcorn in Minsk for a couple of weeks he will focus on physical training to be ready for NHL.