Prospect Info: With the #109 pick, the Wild select Kaapo Kahkonen

[thestonedkoala]

I think this is Minnesota's best pick in the draft; solid value, good project and fits a need.

 

[TaLoN]

Another goalie ?

We already have Kuemper and Gustafsson down in the AHL...

Kuemper is likely in the NHL as a 3rd goalie if everyone is healthy or the starter/Backup if either Backstrom or Harding is healthy.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Kuemper is likely in the NHL as a 3rd goalie if everyone is healthy or the starter/Backup if either Backstrom or Harding is healthy.

I also don't like Michalek or Belanger but they could surprise.

 

[Minnesota]

Goalies are so hard to predict...

 

[thestonedkoala]

Goalies are so hard to predict...

Yep. They are like Pokemon. Gotta collect them all!

 

[TaLoN]

Goalies are so hard to predict...

True... so when in doubt, take the top ranked Finnish goalie. Seems to work out usually.

 

[Keke]

Kähkönen the next great goalie from Finland but then Saros took the show. He maybe has even more potential than Husso but I'm not a goalie expert.

Expect him to play in Finland the next two years and then a couple of seasons in AHL. And when the two years have passed either Kuemper or Gustafsson is our starter and the other is our backup or traded to another team to fill a need.

Very good pick by Fletcher

 

[Puhis]

Will be keeping an even closer eye on him now that he is a Wild draft pick. Should get some starts on Blues next year, I've seen him previously a couple of times and came away with mixed feelings. There's definitely great potential, but - as various scouting reports mentioned - his mental game needs some work. He is easily thrown off his game, seems like he is concentrating too hard on how he's doing. Lacks confidence occasionally, but when he's on his game he can be absolutely stellar. Surprisingly mobile for a butterfly goalie, too. In fact, his stance is more hybrid than butterfly to be specific.

Still, there's definitely some star potential. Remember Kuemper? He suffered from confidence issues, too. Same applies for many other goalies. Still, there's plenty of raw potential, his reflexes are good and he is mobile and challenges well. Kind of like Antti Raanta, only bigger.

I'll definitely try and keep an eye on him next year.

 

[JJTT]

Kähkönen loaned to Mestis (Fin -2) team TuTo for next year

http://www.mtv.fi/sport/jaakiekko/s...1917225/blues-lainasi-nhl-varauksensa-turkuun

Good decision. Has a change to be a #1 goalie there.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Well atleast he's playing pro hockey.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Hopefully Minnesota is thinking of getting Kahkonen in next year...we could use him

 

[Minnesota]

Could definitely see a Gustafsson/Kahkonen tandem in Iowa next year.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Could definitely see a Gustafsson/Kahkonen tandem in Iowa next year.

Looking at some articles, it seems that Kahkonen is looking long term. Ugh. Maybe Belanger or Michalek for a season and then Kahkonen after that?

 

[Minnesota]

Looking at some articles, it seems that Kahkonen is looking long term. Ugh. Maybe Belanger or Michalek for a season and then Kahkonen after that?

Maybe. I'm not going to question the development of a Finnish goaltender. Finland knows what they're doing when it comes to that position.

 

[Victorious Secret]

Looking at some articles, it seems that Kahkonen is looking long term. Ugh. Maybe Belanger or Michalek for a season and then Kahkonen after that?

So? Cody Almond signed in Switzerland for 5 years a month an a half before he signed with the Wild.

 

[thestonedkoala]

So? Cody Almond signed in Switzerland for 5 years a month an a half before he signed with the Wild.

I'm thinking that Kahkonen wants to stay in Europe for a few years and develop with the men's team there (which wouldn't be bad).

 

[Gaps]

Maybe. I'm not going to question the development of a Finnish goaltender. Finland knows what they're doing when it comes to that position.

And you shouldn't. Many have already looked like lost causes (not that I think Kähkönen looks like one so far), but a year later and they're looking like a good goalie prospect. Ville Husso didn't get drafted at first but then last year he took the starter spot for HIFK and as someone who has seen him live quite a few times, I can say he is very good. Joni Ortio barely got any playing time in the AHL and didn't do well when he did, so he went back to Finland for a year. Now he's already played in the NHL. Joonas Korpisalo had about a million injuries over 2 years and didn't exactly convince at the WJC, now it's 2 years later and he is a decent Liiga starter.

 

[Sharppi]

And you shouldn't. Many have already looked like lost causes (not that I think Kähkönen looks like one so far), but a year later and they're looking like a good goalie prospect. Ville Husso didn't get drafted at first but then last year he took the starter spot for HIFK and as someone who has seen him live quite a few times, I can say he is very good. Joni Ortio barely got any playing time in the AHL and didn't do well when he did, so he went back to Finland for a year. Now he's already played in the NHL. Joonas Korpisalo had about a million injuries over 2 years and didn't exactly convince at the WJC, now it's 2 years later and he is a decent Liiga starter.

Korpisalo is not only decent, but very good.

 

[Lapa]

So, he had a pretty good playoff game tonight. Shutout and he scoredba goal.

 

[WILDTATE10]

So, he had a pretty good playoff game tonight. Shutout and he scoredba goal.

You really can't go wrong drafting a finnish goalie.

I'd almost make it a requirement when drafting one

 

[tomgilbertfan]

 

[Wild11MN]

You have to hear the call instead of just watching the gif.

 

[Avder]

You have to hear the call instead of just watching the gif.

Holy hell, teach that guy english and fire LaPanta in favor of him!

 

[MNWILDFAN001]

Get him on the team. Wild need another goal scorer.

 

[gphr513]