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

[BurnsyMN]

Hahahahahaha. I love how he does the fly by fist bumps too.

 

[Puhis]

The guy actually swears on a live broadcast.

 

[AJ Thelen]

His rating went from 7.0 C to 9.5 A in my books.

 

[TZM]

Has a lot more offensive potential than everyone thinks. Should be a 25 goal scorer in the NHL.

 

[AJ Thelen]

Has a lot more offensive potential than everyone thinks. Should be a 25 goal scorer in the NHL.

I think that is a tiny bit much. He is more of a playmaker. 5-10 goals and 20-30 assist is more likely.

 

[57special]

I think that is a tiny bit much. He is more of a playmaker. 5-10 goals and 20-30 assist is more likely.

Yes but with good D. Typical Finn.

 

[Paul Bunyan]

They have the full video on the Wild's site. I may have watched it more than 5 times. :S

 

[BusQuets]

A little update:

Kaapo has successfully taken the starter position in Blues(FEL).
Has played 7 games with 93.05% 1.85GAA. Is atm the most likely starter in up coming WJC.

 

[TaLoN]

Good for him... but I'm not going to get excited about anything he does over seas. We saw what happened with Gustafsson.

 

[AJ Thelen]

Iowa next year?

 

[BusQuets]

Iowa next year?

Hope not. AHL is bad league for goalie development imo, the teams have no defensive structure.

 

[P10p]

No defensive structure? Outside of the NHL the AHL is probally tops in terms of defensive structure. Not sure what you're talking about. Maybe you're referring specifically to out Iowa Wild, in that case I would agree. But the AHL is nowhere close to a freewheeling and offence oriented league

 

[Victorious Secret]

AHL is absolutely necessary for goaltenders from overseas to get used to the smaller rink. (except Lundqvist)

 

[Lapa]

Hope not. AHL is bad league for goalie development imo, the teams have no defensive structure.

No defensive structure? Outside of the NHL the AHL is probally tops in terms of defensive structure. Not sure what you're talking about. Maybe you're referring specifically to out Iowa Wild, in that case I would agree. But the AHL is nowhere close to a freewheeling and offence oriented league

AHL is absolutely necessary for goaltenders from overseas to get used to the smaller rink. (except Lundqvist)

Kähkönen should definitely go to the Iowa Wild when he comes over. Adjusting to a smaller rink can be difficult at first to a young, European goalie.

I like Kähkönen, but I was hoping we'd get Ville Husso. In 2013, I was hoping for Juuse Saros.

Oh well. Kaapo is a good goalie too.

 

[hirawl]

The AHL is naturally the best place not named NHL for a European player to get accustomed to NA hockey. At the same time it actually is not very good hockey. Don't fool yourselves. It does kind of suck.

You know when you're watching the goal highlights from NHL games you can always spot the small mistake leading to a goal. With AHL highlights you're normally like how the **** does that play ever even start to come about? You just don't get it most of the times. It really is that bad.

 

[P10p]

The AHL is naturally the best place not named NHL for a European player to get accustomed to NA hockey. At the same time it actually is not very good hockey. Don't fool yourselves. It does kind of suck.

You know when you're watching the goal highlights from NHL games you can always spot the small mistake leading to a goal. With AHL highlights you're normally like how the **** does that play ever even start to come about? You just don't get it most of the times. It really is that bad.

As someone who has watched alot of AHL and NHL hockey, i disagree. The AHL is a tough league to play in. Lots of physicality, lots of great players, lots of tight defense. Its even harder if you're unlucky enough to be in Minnesota's system lol

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

Gold medal winner now. I think he's got some upside.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Gold medal winner now. I think he's got some upside.

So was Gustavsson...

 

[P10p]

So was Gustavsson...

I find it funny how people talk about Gustaffson. He could be the most clear case of a prospect that was mismanaged by the Wild. Sky seemed like the limit for him until we put him on the dumpster fire that is/was iowa/houston.

 

[Victorious Secret]

I find it funny how people talk about Gustaffson. He could be the most clear case of a prospect that was mismanaged by the Wild. Sky seemed like the limit for him until we put him on the dumpster fire that is/was iowa/houston.

Watching him in Iowa, he still looked really good. Obviously his numbers weren't going to be there with that defense.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Watching him in Iowa, he still looked really good. Obviously his numbers weren't going to be there with that defense.

Had a terrible save percentage in Sweden this season.

Anyhow, Kähkönen just signed a two-year deal with Lukko.

Finnish only for now:
http://www.raumanlukko.fi/uutiset/2016/04/kaapo-kahkonen-lukko-maalille

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu4HRf5NgAs.
What a save by Kahkonen. Home crowd gets wild and shout his name

Team Finland vs Team Canada 2016 U20 WJC quarterfinal game January 2nd 2016

 

[FrodoBeggins]

I do not understand why no kahkonena Finnish youth in the camp?
% Reflected throws him better than these three. While he plays the weakest club Finnish championship

 

[Sharppi]

Kähkönen today with 51 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory. He plays in one of the worst teams in the league and they beat one of the best teams today, all because of Kaapo. Hype.

 

[Bookman]

Kähkönen today with 51 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory. He plays in one of the worst teams in the league and they one of the best teams today, all because of Kaapo. Hype.

When can he come and back up Dubs?