Nhl Entry Draft 2004

Moi Everyone!

Why don't we start ranking the Top Finnish Players for the 2004 Entry Draft!

I hope to see some of your ranking list and comments on this board.

PS: Is anyone starting a FINNISH PROSPECTS web-site ... just to show the Swedish that their www.eliteprospects.com is a good site, but "we" have good prospects as well!?!?!?!?!?!

Best Regards
Joe
France Born Player

Moi Everyone!

Why don't we start ranking the Top Finnish Players for the 2004 Entry Draft!

I hope to see some of your ranking list and comments on this board.

PS: Is anyone starting a FINNISH PROSPECTS web-site ... just to show the Swedish that their www.eliteprospects.com is a good site, but "we" have good prospects as well!?!?!?!?!?!

Best Regards
Joe
France Born Player

My top 5 Finnish players next year entry draft is:

#-player-position-birth-team-height-weight

1. Lauri Tukonen F 01.09.86 Blues 6.01/187
2. Pasi Salonen F 18.12.85 HIFK 5.11/180
3. Petteri Nokelainen F 16.01.86 Saipa 6.0/174
4. Mikko Kuukka D 03.11.85 Ilves 6.02/158
5. Aki Seitsonen F 05.02.86 HPK 6.02/191

Moi Everyone!

Why don't we start ranking the Top Finnish Players for the 2004 Entry Draft!

I hope to see some of your ranking list and comments on this board.

PS: Is anyone starting a FINNISH PROSPECTS web-site ... just to show the Swedish that their www.eliteprospects.com is a good site, but "we" have good prospects as well!?!?!?!?!?!

Best Regards
Joe
France Born Player

Hey guys ,

If you wanted, and many of you were able to contribute, I would be more then happy to create a site and host it at www.thoffl.com

Let me know if you guys are interested in helping out with Finnish prospect site!!

Unbiased Canadian

I think it is a very good idea! But I'm not from Finland, so I don't know how I will be able to help you out!

I might be able to help you... More on JYP juniors, little less about other junior teams.

There was talk earlier, a couple of months ago, about a Finnish prospect site but that didn't go anywhere because of a lack of contributors and admins. If this pops up again, and something is happening this time, I'll assure that Jatkoaika will be involved.

Flonaldo,
I often here about "Jatkoaika" here and I've visited the home page but since I don't really know Finnish I can't make out what they offer/write about.

Is it a general hockey homepage? is it some sort of fan community similar to hfboards? I'm curious cause I often see you Finnish guys mention jatkoaika :)

So the interest is here???

I will work on desiging a site over the next couple of months!!
If you have idea's of what we could have on the site....I know we will have 2004 draft rankings, but what do you guys think of a section for current finnish prospects like Pitk and Lehts??

Ofcourse I will need lots of information to be sent from you finnish guys who know your prospects !!

Unbiased Canadian

Jatkoaika, well I guess you could compare it with Hockeysfuture. The largest (pretty much the only one) Finnish hockey web site covering SM-liiga, Mestis (Tier II) and the NHL.

Match reports and previews from all SM-liiga and Mestis matches. Interviews and columns. Stats, player profiles etc. And a very active board.

It basically started out as a fan community 2½ years ago and developed into one of Finland's most popular internet magazines.

I will work on desiging a site over the next couple of months!!I wouldn't recommend starting anything before you have a solid group of committed contributors. There's no use for a site that doesn't have any info.

Unbiased Canadian ...
About your web-site, you will not have to see all the prospects you rank!
You will can call coaches around and

I think that when the web-site will start with few scouts and a lot of infos from coaches and gms, a lot of scouts will request to write reports for you!

GOOD LUCK!
AND ... WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOUR WEB-SITE GOING!!!

Teemu Nurmi should be drafted also... Anyone know why he didn't get drafted in the 03? Did he opt out?

Anybody seen him play for Espoo Blues juonior A team last year? How's he developing and does he have the makings of a true sniper? God knows the finnish national team could use one..

There certainly was some discussion last spring about a "finprospects.com" (I don't like that name the least bit though I came up with it, I guess) site and I kind of volunteered already to take part in somehow organizing the startup. It was pretty much settled that jatkoaika.com would host the site, but before anything could (or should) be done about the site, there should be a team of people who make sure that the site would actually work as intended. Last time, I don't think that there were too many voluteers.

Now my internet-holiday has ended and I am still interested in building this site, if there is enough interest from the part of other potential contribs and admins. Maybe we should try to recruit some of the most active people in Jatkoaika, but I guess that most of them already have their hands full with the Finnish material (that's what Flonaldo said, I think) and they wouldn't have the time or energy to take part in another, somewhat different kind of project.

If anyone feels like they could contribute to the project in any way (a great name would be a nice start; then some people who love to draw up plans, organize and take care that everything goes as planned; amateur scouts, each responsible for one team, for example; some people who like to do Q&A's with players, coaches, pro-scouts, GMs etc.; some people to write longer and more analytic articles; some stats experts; some "hockey insiders" who could provide info no-one else has; ... I could go on and on and still wouldn't realize all the things we need), feel free to contact me via email ([replace this with my nick] at iki dot fi is the address but don't tell anyone) or private messages either here or at Jatkoaika (I go with the same name there...)

(On a sidenote, has anyone ever noted how stupid it feels to communicate with other Finnish people in English?)

amateur scouts, each responsible for one team, for example; some people who like to do Q&A's with players, coaches, pro-scouts, GMs etc.; some people to write longer and more analytic articles; some stats experts; some "hockey insiders" who could provide info no-one else has; ... I could go on and on and still wouldn't realize all the things we need)

You guys don't have to be so ambitious. Just try to (start) make a finnish site similar to eliteprospects.com. That would rock. :)

You guys don't have to be so ambitious. Just try to (start) make a finnish site similar to eliteprospects.com. That would rock. :)

Yes, well, that was a wishlist. We don't need all that, but we definately need a team of dedicated administrators/contributors. Actually, there is no "we" yet, that's what "we" need.

Hi Guys,

I think there are a lot of timid guys in this Finnish Board!

I read the NHL ENTRY DRAFT 2004 and I jumped right in looking for some RANKINGS but ...
... only IFK posted his ...
1. Lauri Tukonen (Espoo)
2. Pasi Salonen (HIFK)
3. Petteri Nokelainen (SaiPa)
4. Mikko Kuukka (Ilves)
5. Aki Seitsonen (HPK)

What about Teemu Nurmi (Tappara)? ... Risto Korhonen (Kärpat)? ... Jarno Jokila (TPS Turku)? ... Mikko Alikovski (Kärpat)?

I'm looking forward to your replies!

Best Hockey Regards
Scout77

Alikovski ? ;) Sounds russian... I think his name is Alikoski ....

Also I believe it is Jarmo, not Jarno Jokela...

Thanks for your quick note ...
... Too bad I still don't see your ranking!

Thanks anyway and Keep the good spelling on!

Regards
Scout77

Risto Korhonen (Kärpat)? ...
He is eligible on 2005 (november 86 birthday)

Mikko Alikoski and Jarmo Jokila are very difficult to rank to begin with...both are about 5'7-5'8 tall and, from what I've heard, have skills comparable to Lauri Tukonen. Alikoski scored 4+2=6 and Jokila 5+4=9 (or 5+5=10, not really sure about that) points in the U-18 World Cup a week or two ago. Considering team Finland was rather weak and even Sidney Crosby (though a year younger) couldn't outscore them I'd say that's pretty good. But as Jokila has an older brother (Janne Jokila, drafted by Columbus in 2000) who's barely 5'9 himself I doubt Jarmo is going to grow much taller by the draft day. And it doesn't look any better with Alikoski, either...

Stickied this because it is the closest thing we have to a decent Draft thread. Try to keep to the subject from now on.

i was thinking the other day that there should be a finish equivalent to eliteprospects.com..would be nice, but if there arent enough people to do it perhaps a rankings of top 25 or 50 prospects would be cool, this could be done on some voting or consensus from who ever is interested or making a list..... once this list is done perhaps someone familiar with those players can give a brief description about them/accomplishments..etc...in time u may see more people come on board and help out ;) ...and perhaps if theres a volunteer someone can translate some of the more interesting articles written in jatkoaika.com (tho i have no idea whats on that website lol....... for now can someone tell me whoi they think are the top 10 prospects? my top 5 would be Ruutu
Pitkanen
lehtonen
Koivu
Toivunen
after that im not too sure but I'd be leaning towards Rita, jokinen Immonen and bergenheim

let the debate begin ;)

i was thinking the other day that there should be a finish equivalent to eliteprospects.com..would be nice, but if there arent enough people to do it perhaps a rankings of top 25 or 50 prospects would be cool, this could be done on some voting or consensus from who ever is interested or making a list..... once this list is done perhaps someone familiar with those players can give a brief description about them/accomplishments..etc...in time u may see more people come on board and help out ;) ...and perhaps if theres a volunteer someone can translate some of the more interesting articles written in jatkoaika.com (tho i have no idea whats on that website lol....... for now can someone tell me whoi they think are the top 10 prospects? my top 5 would be Ruutu
Pitkanen
lehtonen
Koivu
Toivunen
after that im not too sure but I'd be leaning towards Rita, jokinen Immonen and bergenheim

let the debate begin ;)
We try to keep this thread for undrafted prospects eligable for the 2004 and I would appreciate if you'd take this talk to this (http://www.hfboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=15640) thread instead where it would fit in better.

Keep On Truckin' \Matti

I think top 6 looks something like this:

1. Lauri Tukonen F Blues
2. Petteri Nokelainen F SaiPa
3. Pasi Salonen F HIFK
4. Aki Seitsonen F Prince Albert
5. Mikko Kuukka D Red Deer
6. Jarmo Jokila F TPS

But the problem is: How would you rank positions 7-20 or 7-30. Please tell me because I don't have a clue.

Couple of names: Mikko Alikoski, Jesse Uronen, Aleksis Ahlqvist, Lauri Korpikoski, Petteri Wirtanen, Jari Sailio, Petri Koivisto, Joni Finell, Matti Koistinen, Antti Jaatinen, Mikko Saari, Tommi Laine, Antti Turunen, Jussi Ruohola, Janne Kolehmainen, Ossipekka Lehtonen, Jussi Tapio, Miikka Tuomainen (+ overagers and other not listed).

Do your lists!

FINLAND
Name team Birthdate pos/sh ht wt
s=sen/j=jun
1 Lauri Tukonen Blues/s 01 Sep 86 W/R 6.2 194
2 Petteri Nokelainen Saipa/s 16 Jan 86 C,W/R 6.1 185
3 Sami Lepistö Jokerit/s 17 Oct 84 D/L 6.0 176
4 Janne Jokila TPS/j 13 Feb 86 C/L 5.9 176
5 Ilkka Heikkinen Lukko/s 13 Nov 84 D/L 6.2 194
6 Jesse Uronen Jokerit/j 16 Mar 86 W/R 5.11 165
7 Janne Kolehmainen Saipa/j 22 Mar 86 W/L 6.3 198
8 Teemu Nurmi Tappara/s+j 24 Feb 85 W,C/R 6.1 187
9 Jussi Makkonen TPS/j 24 Apr 85 W/L 6.3 187
10 Tuomas Gärdström KooKoo/s+j 12 Jul 86 D/L 6.3 187
11 Pasi Salonen IFK/j 18 Dec 85 W/L 5.11 187
12 Tommi Laine TPS/j 20 May 86 C/L 6.0 183
13 Valtteri Tenkanen Jyväskylä/s+j 27 Mar 85 C/L 5.10 180
14 Mikko Alikoski Kärpät/j 28 Jul 86 W/L 5.9
15 Petteri Wirtanen HPK/J 28 May 86 C/L 6.0 185
16 Joni Toykkala Blues/s+j 25 Feb 84 W/L 6.0 167
17 Lennart Petrell IFK/j 13 Apr 84 W/L 6.3 198
18 Antti Pihlström Blues/s+j 22 Oct 84 W/L 5.10 176
19 Anssi Salmela Tappara/j 13 Aug 84 D/L 6.0 191
20 Otto Honkaheimo Lukko/s+j 03 Aug 85 D/L 6.0 187
21 Antti Jaatinen Tappara/j 24 Jul 86 W/L 6.1 176
22 Tuomas Santavuori Pelicans/s+j 24 Jan 85 W/L 5.11 176
23 Matti Uusivirta Blues/j 29 Mar 85 W,C/´R 6.2 183
24 Lauri Korpikoski TPS/j 28 Jul 86 W/L 5.11 172
25 Janne Jalasvaara Blues/s+j 15 Apr 84 D/L 5.11 198

Goaltenders:

1 Aleksis Ahlqvist Jyväskylä/j 28 Mar 86 G/L 6.0 172

http://centralscouting.nhl.com/

4 Janne Jokila TPS/j 13 Feb 86 C/L 5.9 176

Should be Jarmo. Janne is his big brother who's been already drafted by Columbus.

It is surprising to see Heikkinen this high, because he has been clearly dropped to juniors after Rautakorpi came to coach lukko. And reports tell that an yellow liquid has risen into his head after his good appearances on ice. Not a good sign...

EDIT: Who the hell has destroyed my avatar...

EDIT: Who the hell has destroyed my avatar...

Nobody. These boards crashed and some personal settings was erased.

Nobody. These boards crashed and some personal settings was erased.
Ofcourse I didn't find the old Avatar from my computer so I had to find new. Because I don't like to worship any person I chose a jersey picture... (of course it would've been cool on prospects board to have a Joensuu picture as avatar)

Hey Guys,

Myself and another buddy are starting a big sports hosting web-site, it will all be PHP scripted and easy to run so if someone of you wanted to help out we could start a decent finnish prospects site!!

Let me know if your interested.
Unbiased Canadian

I thought about the situations of Jokila and Alikoski and reached the conclusion that no team wants centers of their size. 5'8" is simply not enough, 5'10" is pretty much a minimum for anything but exceptional talent. They both HAVE to move to wing if it's an NHL career they're after. Alikoski looks like he has played center just because he's a dominating player (with somewhat of a passing bias), he should make the transition easily as a quick and nimble player. Kärpät has already played him on the wing in SM-Liiga thanks to their abundance of center, and I hope the people make the right decision soon.

Jokila won't have it that easy. Playmaking is his game, and moving to wing would hurt his opportunities to put his strengths to good use. Thus, at this point, Jokila is the worse prospect despite better international results and the inch he's got on Alikoski. Jokila could be a great player in Europe at center, but in remaining at that position he cripples his chances to become an NHL player.

Eero Somervuori, 5'10", boasted more impressive results in his draft year than Alikoski and Jokila will, and he was still only a sixth round pick. The two are no major prospects right now, but maybe some day if life becomes fair all of a sudden.

Does anybody have any stats or scouting reports on Miikka Tuomainen?....... or even better, have any of you ever seen him play live? If so, do you have an opinion on his style of play and what kind of upside he may have?

I'm wondering because I've read one very brief description about Tuomainen that seemed positive, and I also noticed that McKeen's had him listed as being a "hot" player as of late. His size alone caught my eye..... 6'3" and 207 Ilbs, but is he physical?

Thanks in advance for any help. :bow:

I'm trying to get Tuomainen's profile done in the near future. I've yet to make up my mind about his play, at this point suffice to say that he's rather average/well-rounded. This season he has split time between TuTo Jr. B (first tier) and men (second tier). Last I checked, he was about point-per-game in 15 games against his peers as expected and could help the semi-pros with ~5 in 20.

Few analyses about Blues players in the list. These have played lot of men's games, unlike Uusivirta.

1 Lauri Tukonen Blues/s 01 Sep 86 W/R 6.2 194
Was 15 years when he debuted in Mestis (2nd biggest men's league) with Ahmat. Tries hard in every game. Played in U20 team and scored a goal in bronze medal game.

16 Joni Toykkala Blues/s+j 25 Feb 84 W/L 6.0 167
Good leader (has been captain in junior club and national team), has good skills also.

18 Antti Pihlström Blues/s+j 22 Oct 84 W/L 5.10 176
Despite of his small size, checks often and usually hard. Playing style would be better for NHL&AHL.

25 Janne Jalasvaara Blues/s+j 15 Apr 84 D/L 5.11 198
Stay-at-home-defenseman. Also physical.

The 2004 Draft looks quite promissing in terms of Finnish players.Most of the highly ranked players this year are forwards. Here's a quick overview, and I would really like to hear other opinions on how high these guys might be drafted:

1.Lauri Tukonen: A scoring forward who is rated very highly in all of the draft rankings.I have had a chance to see Lauri play a couple of times with the U20 national team as well as with Espoo Blues in the SM-liiga. His best assests are his skating and puck-handling, and he has very good size.In my opinion the best forward prospect from Finland since Tuomo Ruutu.Will likely be drafted somewhere between #5 and #15 in the first round.

2.Petteri Nokelainen: Another young winger who represented Finland in the U20 WJC. He is more of a two-way player, like's to play a psycical game. Still has a chance show his scoring touch at the U18 worlds, where he will likely play on a line with Tukonen.Played the whole year in the SM-liiga for Saipa, even getting pp time once in a while.Rated #27 by readline report. He is a borderline 1st-round pick, but could easily slip to the 2nd round.

3.Sami Lepistö: An overage defenseman who made a HUGE impact at the U20 worlds, where he was named the top D-man in the tournament. Has a great one-timer and very good passing skills.Very good skater who like's to play with a psycical edge.Is a bit smallish (6'0), and needs to bulk up.His draft ranking is a bit harder to predict, but he should go somewhere between the middle 1st to late second round.

4.Aki Seitsonen: A playmaking forward who plays in the CHL, I don't know a lot about this guy.One of the leading rookie scorers in his league. Has been getting great reviews from readline report and is rated in the mid 20's among NA skaters by CSB. I guess a safe bet is that he goes in the mid to late second round.

5.Lauri Korpikoski: A winger from the TPS organisation, Korpikoski's stock has really skyrocketed after the five nations tournament in Febuary. He played on the first- line and really impressed with his in your face style and scoring touch. Loves to challange defenders one on one. A lot will depend on how he performs at the U18-worlds, but with a strong tournament he might even slide into the 1st round. A 2nd or 3rd round selection is more likely.

6.Pasi Salonen: Probably the biggest sleeper among Finnish prospects this year, this sniper from IFK Helsinki was one of the last cuts from the U20 WJC squad. Led the U20 national team in goals in the tryout games. He was born in December 1985, so he is too old for the U18 worlds. Currently is the leading scorer in the Junior-A SM-liiga playoffs. Might slip to the 4th or 5th round, but has a lot of upside.

How about the most promising player in TPS' system since Saku?

You probably mean Jarmo Jokila.He is a very skilled playmaker and has tremendous hockey sense, but the biggest knock against him is size.Also from what I hear his skating isn't that great either. He's only 5'8, so I can't really see him going going before the 6th or 7th round.

Ive seen Jokila only once in this season. It was the second playoff game between Jokerit and Tps. In that game he was simply amazing.
IMO he`s skating looked pritty good. But he`s biggest asset is his stickhandling. He just flew by and sometimes trough the Jokerit defence. He didnt even look that small, Jesse uronen looked a lot smaller although he is listed 8cm taller. IMO he has the most skill of all A-junior players in the moment. :bow:

Ive seen Jokila only once in this season. It was the second playoff game between Jokerit and Tps. In that game he was simply amazing.
IMO he`s skating looked pritty good. But he`s biggest asset is his stickhandling. He just flew by and sometimes trough the Jokerit defence. He didnt even look that small, Jesse uronen looked a lot smaller although he is listed 8cm taller. IMO he has the most skill of all A-junior players in the moment. :bow:

You mean TPS and Blues?

Are TPS and Blues going head to head in the jr playoffs as well?

doh! getting confused with jnr/snr

I decided to merge these two threads since they pretty much are on the same subject. Feel free to continue your discussion.