Confirmed with Link: Oilers Sign LHD Markus Niemelainen (3rd round pick #63OA of 2016 Draft) To a 2 Year ELC

[Bryanbryoil]

RELEASE: Oilers sign Niemelainen to entry-level contract

I liked what I saw of him initially in rookie camp but then he didn't find traction at the CHL level. He's pretty big and can skate pretty well, so I don't mind this at all.

Click to read more...

 

[McDNicks17]

Interesting. I thought he would have been long gone.

Hasn't done much overseas. Had a career high 7 points in 55 games in the Liiga this year.

 

[snipes]

He’s 6’6 and can skate well. I have time for him, he’s likely a bottom pairing AHLer/top pairing ECHLer at this point.

I have time for him right now as he’s only 21. Looks like a man already at 21. He better start developing more of a mean streak in him though if he wants to have any sort of semblance of a career in NA.

 

[Senor Catface]

I really thought he was perma-gone after going back to Europe post-junior career.

 

[BarDownBobo]

RELEASE: Oilers sign Niemelainen to entry-level contract

I liked what I saw of him initially in rookie camp but then he didn't find traction at the CHL level. He's pretty big and can skate pretty well, so I don't mind this at all.

He was great at that first rookie camp but definitely seemed to struggle after. I remember the year after in Saginaw he was basically babysitting Hronek and letting him take all the offensive chances so the numbers were a bit deceiving. From what I heard this last year he took a really big step in Liiga, really started using his size advantage to become a good shutdown dman. He was near the top in ice time for his team as well.

 

[fireantz]

The rosters in Edmonton and Bakersfield are filling out nicely. However is it too much to ask for a center or a dman that uses a right hand stick!!

 

[Jumptheshark]

He’s 6’6 and can skate well. I have time for him, he’s likely a bottom pairing AHLer/top pairing ECHLer at this point.

I have time for him right now as he’s only 21. Looks like a man already at 21. He better start developing more of a mean streak in him though if he wants to have any sort of semblance of a career in NA.

Saw him play a few times last year and did not like what I saw--need to look beyond his height. He can skate but gets beaten around the outside a lot and is not that quick on his feet to adjust his positioning. But that is my short take on what little I saw last year

 

[duul]

The rosters in Edmonton and Bakersfield are filling out nicely. However is it too much to ask for a center or a dman that uses a right hand stick!!

I'm thinking I may need to come out of retirement. I could fill the gap left by Mark Fayne. Big, slow, useless, clueless.

 

[bone]

I'm thinking I may need to come out of retirement. I could fill the gap left by Mark Fayne. Big, slow, useless, clueless.

But are you a right handed shot

 

[fireantz]

I'm thinking I may need to come out of retirement. I could fill the gap left by Mark Fayne. Big, slow, useless, clueless.

The only bodies on the 50 man outside Edmonton are Marody and Bouchard(that have a sniff of making NHL). Success going forward depends on depth at RHC and RD.

 

[Soli]

 

[LTIR]

The rosters in Edmonton and Bakersfield are filling out nicely. However is it too much to ask for a center or a dman that uses a right hand stick!!

Nicely? They have like 8 LHDs and Bouchard the lone RD

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Interesting. I thought he would have been long gone.

Hasn't done much overseas. Had a career high 7 points in 55 games in the Liiga this year.

Niemelainen is more stay at home dman hopefully that explains his low point production numbers.

 

[aspin3]

Nicely? They have like 8 LHDs and Bouchard the lone RD

Logan Day will likely be resigned. He is a right D.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I respectively disagree with Jokke's assertion that he took a big step in his development

 

[Anarchism]

A pitch in the dark....? A contract spot gone?

 

[yukoner88]

A pitch in the dark....? A contract spot gone?

Everyone sing this together!

"shot in the dark, one step away from you!"

 

[McDNicks17]

I respectively disagree with Jokke's assertion that he took a big step in his development

He went from playing 13:47 on HPK last year to leading Assat with 19:46 this year, so he must have done something right.

 

[McSuper]

I'm thinking I may need to come out of retirement. I could fill the gap left by Mark Fayne. Big, slow, useless, clueless.

Hey don't talk about me . On top of that you are trying to take my job .

 

[LTIR]

I respectively disagree with Jokke's assertion that he took a big step in his development

Because you watched him play x number of games or just stats?
At this point it's an AHL signing. I would rather take a chance on him than keep Lowe, Manning or Day.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Because you watched him play x number of games or just stats?
At this point it's an AHL signing. I would rather take a chance on him than keep Lowe, Manning or Day.

I just did not like what I saw.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I'm thinking I may need to come out of retirement. I could fill the gap left by Mark Fayne. Big, slow, useless, clueless.

Man was he ever overpaid by MacT.

 

[Paralyzer]

Man was he ever overpaid by MacT.

I still don't consider that his worse move. Nikitin was his worst one IMO. Now THAT guy was overpaid.

 

[alphahelix]

I still don't consider that his worse move. Nikitin was his worst one IMO. Now THAT guy was overpaid.

His worst move is clearly neither of these things; spending a bunch of money that was rotting away with no D men available by trade or FA, while a guy with size who had been playing top 4 in Columbus hits the market. Edmonton had the worst D in the league at the time. It was a 2 year deal, right? Short term high money, would you rather he sit on his hands like Chiarelli and just let the D suck/ have the team lose and save Katz money? At least there was a chance it could help. He inherited the worst D ever.

 

[fireantz]

Logan Day will likely be resigned. He is a right D.

They need a mentor not MAB 2.0. We also have Desharnais who is nothing more than a potential Ahl 3Rd. It appears Phil Kemp staying in NCAA means he is reluctant to play here. Trade bait throw in to eastern USA?

 

[Aerchon]

There is no real ahl thread I don't believe so this may as well go here.

Our AHL affiliate has gone from crap to extremely promising to crap all too quickly.

A signing like this is a long shot gamble at best and shows the farm is in dire straights.

Bouchard should be in the nhl full time by the end of this year at the latest. If they manage to move Russell that means even Laggesson will likely be a 7/8 guy and with the team.

Take away Yamamoto, Bouchard, Bear, and Jones... Ouch.

Only leave second teir prospects Benson, McLeod, Maxismov, maybe Lavoie, and Samourukov to anchor a team with no depth, experience, or possobke nhl talent beyond those listed. Maybe Marody can up his Game?

Anyways. Things are looking extremely rough for the Condors next season. If there is one.