Riku Helenius

[LTIR Trickery]

Right, I know Radulov was a little different but its the same concept - by loaning him and giving him a QO we hold his rights until he decides to come back over, if ever.

Same reason we still hold Vasily Koshechkins rights.

 

[Muuri]

All the SM-Liiga contracts have NHL clauses.

 

[chasespace]

All the SM-Liiga contracts have NHL clauses.

Is this documented somewhere?

 

[Sigismund]

Not the first message here, but still having trouble to use appropriate hockey slang, so sorry about that.

Helenius played for the team that I support, and yey, we won the championship. And yes, it's the top tier. It's kinda hard to compare the Swedish, Finnish and eg. the Swiss league, but I wouldn't count only on that one swede's opinion (as it happens, our team won all the preseason games it played against the teams from KHL and the Swiss league - didn't play against any SEL (swedish) teams). KHL is the top league in Europe, that's for sure - but then... I don't know. But I would say one thing: FEL could perhaps be described as the most North-American style of hockey. Anyways, not gonna go into that now.

Helenius played reasonably well in the season, but on the other hand our team (JYP from Jyväskylä, go ahead try to pronunciate that) has been noted for the last four seasons as one of the most defense-oriented teams in the league. Well, maybe not just one of them, it is THE most d-oriented team there is in FEL. It has allowed the fewest goals in each of these four seasons - even without Riku, who came to JYP this season.

At the start of the season Riku was a bit shaky (umm... if you know what I mean?), but the d-men were giving a huge helping hand, so the stats may be a bit deceiving. BUT, on the other hand, in the playoffs he played insanely well. JYP lost three of its best d-men (due to injuries), but Helenius improved his play a lot at the same time. Loads of game savers, and I would even say - did not allow a single easy goal. He was one of the key factors for JYP winning the championship. 11 wins out of 13 games for him, not bad at all. Other stats have already been posted here before.

I'd say that he has loads of potential, but I think he's not ready for NHL yet (and yes I know he has already made his kind-of debut there already, but still). Maybe another great season for him in the FEL, and then... Who knows?

 

[LTIR Trickery]

Same thing we've said about Koshechkin. Came up in Lada who played the trap, struggled when he left, rounded out, looks good now. Riku seems to be taking the same path. His athleticism was never questioned here, thats for sure.

 

[Sigismund]

Riku was awarded today as the best goalie in the FEL. FYI...

 

[gscorer]

Riku was awarded today as the best goalie in the FEL. FYI...

Vezina of FEL and First all-star

 

[Chased By Trolls]

http://www.iltalehti.fi/jaakiekko/2012052815630243_jk.shtml (in Finnish)

A Finnish tabloid reporting that Helenius has rejected an offer from TBL. His agent is being interviewed and he's saying that Riku wants a two-year one-way deal and so far they haven't got one. He goes on to say that they're still open for talks and the NHL is still the number one option but also speculates that Helenius might sign in the KHL or even stay in Finland, although that's unlikely at this point.

 

[HoseEmDown]

We should sign him to the two year one way deal, hope he can make the team and contribute. If he doesn't we could loan him to the KHL or FEL, keep his rights and trade them if he plays well.

 

[chasespace]

We should sign him to the two year one way deal, hope he can make the team and contribute. If he doesn't we could loan him to the KHL or FEL, keep his rights and trade them if he plays well.

Problem is there's no trade agreement in place between SM-Liiga and NHL. Since he has one more year on his deal with JYP he won't be able to sign with Tampa unless an agreement between the 2 federations are reached or JYP releases him from his contract(unlikely).

 

[HoseEmDown]

Problem is there's no trade agreement in place between SM-Liiga and NHL. Since he has one more year on his deal with JYP he won't be able to sign with Tampa unless an agreement between the 2 federations are reached or JYP releases him from his contract(unlikely).

I thought I read somewhere that he has an out clause or an agreement with the team to leave for the NHL if he got a contract.

 

[chasespace]

I thought I read somewhere that he has an out clause or an agreement with the team to leave for the NHL if he got a contract.

I read that, too, but unsure how solid it is since the only way to know for sure is to look at his contract.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Yzerman: “I’m not going to comment on any potential terms of a contract. We do have an interest in bringing Riku back to North America.”

So much so, Yzerman spoke to Helenius during this month’s world championship.

“I enjoyed the meeting,” Yzerman said. “He’s a very nice young man. I had some discussions with Jay Grossman, and we’ll continue to talk about it.”

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/light...ay-lightning-goalie-search-topic-conversation

 

[LightningStrikes]

Damian Cristodero @LightningTimes

Keep on your radar: BriseBois said waiting to hear back Tues from a team about a trade for Helenius. If no-go will keep trying to move him.

https://twitter.com/LightningTimes/status/430531729569230849

Damian Cristodero ‏@LightningTimes

Helenius reporting back to ECHL Florida, BriseBois said, so will start again collecting a paycheck. Not expected to play. Team has 2 goalies

https://twitter.com/LightningTimes/status/430532272240869376

 

[Steve Yzerman]

https://twitter.com/LightningTimes/status/430531729569230849


https://twitter.com/LightningTimes/status/430532272240869376

Helenius is no longer in the plans for the Lightning? Darn, if we can get some goalies on tryouts and give all them some games, that'd be great.

 

[Alivesi]

#tblightning assistant general manager Julien BriseBois confirms Helenius on unconditional waivers, contract will be terminated tomorrow

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Headed back to Finland

Looks like he will be joining Jokerit next season when it makes the move from Finland's Liiga to the KHL.

 

[chasespace]

Looks like he will be joining Jokerit next season when it makes the move from Finland's Liiga to the KHL.

Wish him the best of luck. From his last stint in Europe he showed he'll be able to make a nice career for himself over there.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

NHLPA appeals Tampa Bay's termination of Syracuse Crunch goalie Riku Helenius' contract http://www.syracuse.com/crunch/inde...ch_goalie_riku_helenius_con.html#incart_river

The National Hockey League Players Association has filed a grievance of the Tampa Bay Lightning's termination of the contract of former Syracuse Crunch goalie Riku Helenius.

Jonathan Weatherdon, director of communications for the NHLPA, confirmed the move in an email on Wednesday night. He did not provide any other information.

Lightning assistant general manager Julien BriseBois would not comment on the matter Wednesday night.

The case will now go to an arbitrator who is hired jointly by the NHL and the players association. In some instances, cases have taken years to work their way through this process.