Confirmed with Link: Ville Pokka Signs ELC
- Thread starter seabass45
- Start date
Great News! I was starting to get worried, drafting Europeans is a big risk, especially high draft picks.
The only thing we heard about Ville Pokka that he was impressive, played a ton in the Finnish league and in the World Jrs. He might not have to start down in AHL.
The only thing we heard about Ville Pokka that he was impressive, played a ton in the Finnish league and in the World Jrs. He might not have to start down in AHL.
periferal
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2007
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periferal
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2007
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How alternating good/bad REGULAR seasons so we don't have to be bottom 5 essentially every year?
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Nice to see Koskinen make it in there too at the bottom. I didn't find his KHL stats that impressive considering guys like Leighton have put up similar stats in the same league, but it seems like he's really developed nicely overseas.
MMANumminen
Registered User
PP1 Strome --- Lee --- Tavares
------ Pulock---------- de Haan
PP2 Okposo --- Nelson --- Dal Colle
------ Pokka ---------- Nielsen
It looks like Pedan will have a lot of competition ahead of him.
Will Kabanov return to Bridgeport?
Yesterday on MvsW podcast, they talked about the importance of having an affiliate to develop prospects and not to win games (referring about Capitals/Hershey and Galiev situation). I think we have the same problem even Bridgeport being a loser team.
It would be lovely to see Pokka and Collberg on the same team (33rd and 34th picks) plus Kabanov, Pedan and other europeans.
Will Kabanov return to Bridgeport?
Yesterday on MvsW podcast, they talked about the importance of having an affiliate to develop prospects and not to win games (referring about Capitals/Hershey and Galiev situation). I think we have the same problem even Bridgeport being a loser team.
It would be lovely to see Pokka and Collberg on the same team (33rd and 34th picks) plus Kabanov, Pedan and other europeans.
sorondoe
IslAnders
Yeah, I've only seen him in the WJC, but 3 seasons against men, among the 3 best d's in the SM-Liiga, 11 points in 16 games in this years' playoffs and he's a righty. Is it that farfetched that he makes the team in September?
Yeah, I've only seen him in the WJC, but 3 seasons against men, among the 3 best d's in the SM-Liiga, 11 points in 16 games in this years' playoffs and he's a righty. Is it that farfetched that he makes the team in September?
If we don't make any D signings? Not at all far fetched to see something like this:
de Haan-Hamonic
Reinhart-Visnovsky
Hickey-Pokka
But I do suspect we will sign or trade for a top 4 guy that can play the right side, in which case I doubt he makes it out of camp, though he'd probably be the first call up when injury hits.
I am guessing Strait will be the 6th defenseman with Carkner and Donavon being part of the 23 man roster. If we by anychance sign a UFA chances are we will try trade Strait
I had this talk yesterday with a few people and it is frustrating. Looking back to the likes of Klementyev or now Kabanov and a lesser extent Pedan, Bridgeport plays guys like Diamond ahead of a prospect like Kabanov. Career minor league guys get more minutes than our prospects. Bridgeport aren't exactly going deep in the playoffs every year so where exactly is the need to play these career minor leaguers over potential NHL guys?
Bridgeport seem to insist on players playing to a role instead of giving our prospects ice time and furthering their development for the benefit of the Islanders to help improve our players while getting them ready for the NHL. Kabonov went to the SHL and played well, where the coaches obviously trusted the guy and used him in the right situations. The result was he performed to a good standard and in a league which in my opinion is a better level than the AHL. Kabanov had 8 points in 12 games for Modo which is a good return.
We haven't got many wing prospects at all so I want to see him getting plenty of ice time in Bridgeport along with Sundstrom, Collberg and all our defensive prospects. Hell I'd play Kabanov 1st line LW with Sundstrom and Collberg in Bridgeport. But Kabanov will likely play bottom 6 minutes in the AHL if he is even there.
Kabanov is just an example of a guy who clearly has the talent but we don't seem to be able to control him or put him in situations to succeed. I remember watching him in pre season and thinking he looked great. Remember this from last pre season anyone?
I'm sorry, I'm a big Kabanov fan, wanted the Islanders to draft him. But bottom line, I don't think he's as talented as we thought. Maybe he dominated against other 16 and 17 year olds when he was in Russia. But he has NEVER done anything in North America to garner the hype he received. He was average in juniors, never dominated. He has a terrible shot, never did much to work on that, has horrible hockey sense, and is an average skater. And all along, there's been nothing but excuses. He just isn't a good player. Never will see the NHL on a regular basis, will always be a European league player.
rikker
Registered User
the player says, "give me more time and i will produce". the coach says, "produce more, and i will give you more time". who is right?
if Kabanov, or any other player, has character issues, they have to go. one bad apple...
don't know if this is the case with Kabanov. just saying...
Hip Of Rick*
Snow Must Go!
Glad to see Pokka signed, adds some solid depth for the future.
I hope him and Reinhart battle it out for 5/6th spot with the loser ending up in Bport. Having them both make the team on opening night could be ugly, rookie dmen tend to be scary.
I hope him and Reinhart battle it out for 5/6th spot with the loser ending up in Bport. Having them both make the team on opening night could be ugly, rookie dmen tend to be scary.
periferal
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- Jul 5, 2007
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I pretty much agree, but so is having Strait and Carkner. We need to sign/trade for an experienced top 4 D or we're going to struggle again next season with goals against even though we finally have a #1 goalie.
Riseonfire
Josh Bailey! GAME ONE, TO THE ISLAND!!!
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edd1e
Registered User
I think Pokka is very close to the NHL level. I wouldn't be too surprised if he starts the season in Islanders. He was real solid against Tappara in the finals.
SI90
Registered User
He's going to be at the camp in July with the Islanders where I'd guess they will decide on him moving to North America or playing another year in Finland.
Yashin for President
Registered User
My only concern with Pokka is the smaller ice surface. That will be the adjustment that might take time for him. Griff has a big advantage being that he has been playing in north america. Griff at the moment is more prepared for the NHL than Pokka. Chances of Pokka making the Isles out of camp would be a longshot. People keep forgetting about Donovan too. Donovan will make this team.
I don't think anyone is forgetting about Donovan. If anything it is the better prospects preparing to vault ahead of him. I hope for his sake he has a rebound year because staying ahead of this curve, Reinhart, Pokka, Pelech, and Pulock... that is going to be quite a feat based on what we saw last year.
