Prospect Info: With the 132nd Overall Pick the New York Rangers Select Lauri Pajuniemi

[Pavel Buchnevich]

New York Rangers 5th Round Pick #132 OA - Lauri Pajuniemi (RW)

I didn’t see Pajuniemi this season, but when I did last year, he showed nice skills and fine speed. I didn’t get blown away by his skill set, but I think there’s something there possibly, especially since he’s not a small guy.

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[Machinehead]

Are you sure he's not a defenseman?

I want a DNA test.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

@Noma, what can you tell us about this guy?

 

[RalphyDanger]

Good hockey name! That puts him like 50% on the way towards being an NHLer I think..

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He was named to the Finnish WJC Summer Camp team. From what I can gather early on, he has about a 50/50 to make the team.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Lauri Pajuniemi | FinnProspects.com

"Pajuniemi played on the second line and first power play unit for TPS U20. He likes to have the puck on his stick and has good puck control in tight spaces. He can hang onto the puck and create offense. He moved the puck well in the second period, making simple, short passes that were tape-to-tape. He played at a fairly high pace and showed an ability to handle the puck at varying speeds. Had good edge work, agility and quickness.
The winger could add more consistency and make quicker decisions certain times. He made one play in the first period in which he lost puck control dangerously in the defensive zone. He read the game fairly well defensively, but it’s another area for some improvement. Despite all of this, with his crafty offensive abilities he’s an interesting player for this year’s NHL Draft."

 

[Fvital92]

From this report, it seems he is worth a shot.

 

[Make]

Happy to see him get drafted, well deserved imo. Not at all surprised it was NYR too, because your scout Mikko Eloranta is a TPS alumni too and lives in the Turku area so he must know Pajuniemi well.

Pajuniemi was a spark plug kind of player for TPS last season who always made the best of the limited ice time he got. Many thought he was deserving a bigger role already last season but the coach liked to play more veteran guys. Next season he should get a bigger role with some of the veterans leaving. Pajuniemi is a hard worker with some skills too (70 points in juniors is very impressive). He kind of reminds me of Artturi Lehkonen when he made his debut here a couple of years ago. Both had that willingness to take a roster spot and immediately make an impact in the team.

 

[n8]

Pajuniemi > Kotkaniemi

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Pajuniemi > Kotkaniemi

Kotka means Eagle. Sorry, Kotkaniemi's name is much better

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I was redecorating my desk at work today and was looking at the TPS-HPK poster I got at the game in Turku last year. And look at who was on the list! He didn't play but it is still fun to see his name randomly appear a year later.

 

[Ola]

Kotka means Eagle. Sorry, Kotkaniemi's name is much better

I don’t really like the sound of it, Jarko Eagle-Peninsula.

Eaglecape is pretty good though.

Willowcape is our guy.

 

[Mac n Gs]

His U18 season is the 2nd highest scoring in u18 history, only behind Eeli Tolvanen who put up 80+

 

[Inferno]

His U18 season is the 2nd highest scoring in u18 history, only behind Eeli Tolvanen who put up 80+

Who our guy or j.k.?

 

[doomscroll]

Who our guy or j.k.?

Pajuniemi. 76 points in 45 games compared to Tolvanen’s 84 points in 41 games, per EP.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Who our guy or j.k.?

Pajuniemi. He’s put up good scoring numbers at every level he’s played, and had a good playoff run for TPS this year. I wonder if well see his numbers get a nice boost as he gets more ice time this season.

He also plays with ex-Rangers great Ilkka Heikennen if you needed a good throwback this morning.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

His U18 season is the 2nd highest scoring in u18 history, only behind Eeli Tolvanen who put up 80+

For reference, the stats:

 

[Inferno]

For reference, the stats:

View attachment 129701

To be fair.. not exactly a star studded list.

 

[kovazub94]

To be fair.. not exactly a star studded list.

Yeah, I noticed this too. Seems Finnish U20 is a lesser league relative to CHL.

 

[Ola]

Yeah, I noticed this too. Seems Finnish U20 is a lesser league relative to CHL.

Yeah for sure, and that is actually the U18 league.

But great that he can put up pts for sure, it’s not a bad U18 league. But the top U18 players of course play in the U20 league, so it’s basically the top 14-15 y/os against the not so great 16-17 y/os...

 

[Kovalev27]

I really liked this pick he did very well at development camp too

 

[NYR713]

I like seeing these kids playing pro already at 18, especially when they can contribute a little and have nice playoff showings. CHL and US Dev are great too, but these young kids already get veterans to learn from and playing against full grown men. For a 5th round pick, this kid looks really good. Another year or two in Liiga and then we'll see if he can make that NA transition to AHL and you might get one of those late round gems like Fast.

Looking forward to seeing if he can become something.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

To be fair.. not exactly a star studded list.

This is filtered for u18 players only in an u20 league. Most Finnish prospects don't play in that league until they are 18. Most u18 players actually play in the u18 SM-Liiga. There are different age groups, whereas major Juniors in Canada starts at 16 and players can play until they are 20

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Every projection I've seen so far of the Finnish WJC team for next year has him on it, and he might even be safely on it.

 

[Joey Bones]

The more I watch him, the more he seems to learn as he continuously plays. I think people are forgetting that NYR drafted him as an overager (born Sept. 12, 1999). His first year eligible was in 2017, where he was playing in Junior A.

That's besides the point now, though. He seems to be a lock for TPS this year and deservedly so. Not sure if anyone posted any highlight vids on him, but I found this one. Enjoy!!

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Kid seems like a potential late round gem. Especially since he’s only a few days removed from NOT being an overager.

Any word on why he wasn’t drafted last year/slipped so far this year?