Niinimäki to Road Runners

It's official now.

link: Ilves homepages (unfortunately the article is only in finnish) (http://www.ilves.com/uutinen041104.php)

thats great news, i cant read Finnish, but from what I heard, things werent going to smoothly over there, and the "scabs" seemed to have effected his minutes. This should let him get familiar with the NA style of hockey, and allow scouts to keep a closer eye on him, and help him with his physical conditioning as well.

I want to know how well he does in AHL. I like him :handclap:

Could the roadrunners now be considered one of the better teams in the AHL? (I honestly have no clue), but it seems that the team was doing relatively well before adding Torres and Niinimäki.

There is some video clips in Ilves.com

Video mainpage: http://www.ilves.com/videoraportit.php

For example

Niiinimäki score:
http://www.ilves.com/videot/230904/2.mov

http://www.ilves.com/videot/071004/3.mov

Jesse pass:
http://www.ilves.com/videot/210904/2.mov

Ilves.com news:
"Niinimäki is leaving to Canada 5.11.
He knows about half of his new team mates expecially Tony Salmelainen. etc.. :)
Jesse is not satisfied about himself at the beginning of this season in sm-liiga"

Could the roadrunners now be considered one of the better teams in the AHL? (I honestly have no clue), but it seems that the team was doing relatively well before adding Torres and Niinimäki.
Curious to see if Bergeron joins in the next few weeks.

I am ecstatic right now...I am actually in ecstacy. If anyone could see me right now, I am dancing in my room.

Well, not that bad, but its good to know that the Oilers organizatin are taking a step in the right direction with their European prospects. Niinimaki's playing time has gone down with the addition of NHL players, so this was the right move.

Now, if only they can get tractor boy Mikhnov over...then I'd really be dancing around.

I guess we'll see how they handle him, I'm not sure I expect them to give Niinimaki top 6 ice time right away. to do so means Stoll or Bishai have to drop out of teh top 6, that's fine if Jesse deserves their ice, but both of those guys are legit NHL prospects as well.

With him and Torres almost certainly in the lineup most games the rest of this year, that sure limits the ice of some players. I suppose I don't mind if it means McAslan or Ferguson are bumped from the lineup, not too excited for what this means for Radunske and Brodziak in all likelyhood though.



Torres-bishai-Salmelainen
Wright-Stoll-Winchester
Hunter-Cullen-Petersen
McAslan-Discasmero-Baum
Ferguson-Brodziak-Radunske

Where would one slot Jesse in?

Is Bishai injured? He hasn't played in quite a few games, it almost crossed my mind that they sent him down to the ECHL, as I don't follow Edmonton, does anyone have any info if he is injured or whatnot?

Is Bishai injured? He hasn't played in quite a few games, it almost crossed my mind that they sent him down to the ECHL, as I don't follow Edmonton, does anyone have any info if he is injured or whatnot?

He had the flu and headaches which caused him to miss a few games. He's did play in last night's game, so I'm guessing he's ok.

I'm looking for Niinimaki to have a pretty solid season with the Roadrunners. Hopefully a year in Edmonton will help him adjust to the North American game and get him ready to challenge for an NHL roster spot when the lockout finally ends.

that is awesome news. hopefully he plays well & turns into a decent NHL scoring threat someday :handclap: :D :banana:

He had a hot start to the season, which puzzled most SM-liiga followers. But then along came Patrik Stefan...

Why hasnt he played yet?

He's been training in edmonton, and is apparently meeting up with them in either Houston or Hamilton. Im not sure if he'll play there though.

How good is he? I remember watching his draft year and everyone was shocked that the Oilers picked him. Has he shown that he deserved being picked that high?

How good is he? I remember watching his draft year and everyone was shocked that the Oilers picked him. Has he shown that he deserved being picked that high?
He's got the basic skill to be picked at his position. But very very raw.

He's got the basic skill to be picked at his position. But very very raw.

Doh! He is physically raw - yes. But I doubt that there is more skilled (stickhandling, passing) players in Roadrunners. Attitude is the big question mark.

Doh! He is physically raw - yes. But I doubt that there is more skilled (stickhandling, passing) players in Roadrunners. Attitude is the big question mark.
When I say raw I mean the composition, IE getting all the skills to work together, and including timing etc.

Doh! He is physically raw - yes. But I doubt that there is more skilled (stickhandling, passing) players in Roadrunners. Attitude is the big question mark.
A number of individuals that went to the Edmonton Oilers' rookie camp last season came away saying that Niinimaki was easily the most talented individual there. It sounds like he is pretty lazy but hopefully being closer to the "nest" in Edmonton will kick him into gear. It sounds like he's going to play his first game for the Roadrunners tonight but I'm guessing he doesn't get too much ice time right away...