Montréal draftee Oskari Korpikari (24yo) is going to wear an A for Kärpät of Oulu. He is going to be an important and integral part of the team that sets its goal at repeating as champions of the finnish SM-liiga.
Who is the captain then? Another Habs draftee; Ilkka Mikkola (29yo) who was drafted by the Canadiens in 1997.
Neither has played in the Canadiens system.
I really thought Oskari would be given a try... but no.
Montréal draftee Oskari Korpikari (24yo) is going to wear an A for Kärpät of Oulu. He is going to be an important and integral part of the team that sets its goal at repeating as champions of the finnish SM-liiga.
Who is the captain then? Another Habs draftee; Ilkka Mikkola (29yo) who was drafted by the Canadiens in 1997.
Neither has played in the Canadiens system.
I really thought Oskari would be given a try... but no.
Do you know if he was even interested in giving it a try? I mean, it takes 2 to tango.
I remember watching Korpikari at a rookie camp a few years ago. I was impressed by his strenght and his dependable stay at home defensive style. O'Byrne was in the same camp and, at the time, I thought both had equal chances of making it with the big team.
I wanted to see Mikkola come over as well, back when our prospect pool was much, much bleaker. I got to see him a couple times along with Korpikari and another Hab draft pick, Viktor Ujcik when he was with Karpat. I thought Korpikari would have gotten a shot but I never heard why they didn't sign him.
I wanted to see Mikkola come over as well, back when our prospect pool was much, much bleaker. I got to see him a couple times along with Korpikari and another Hab draft pick, Viktor Ujcik when he was with Karpat. I thought Korpikari would have gotten a shot but I never heard why they didn't sign him.
Me thinks him being alternate captain earns him another shot on the National team, with Väänänen in the NHL, maybe Oskari can get to the world champs team...
If he plays there I don't see him playing so poorly that not 10ish NHL teams go after him.
Do you know if he was even interested in giving it a try? I mean, it takes 2 to tango.
The kid came to every rookie and dev. camp there was so I do believe he was interested. He just didn't seem to be in our plans. But I always thought by watching him really closely that he would have been a really solid defender for us. Didn't see a lot of offensive awareness but a great first pass, great balance and a really really good defensive d-man. Looked like a vet out there. I was impressed. I really don't see why we didn't resign him.
I am pretty sure he was. I remember at least an old interview saying that he'd do pretty much anything to get to the NHL
Korpikari got that injury (playing for U20 team was it?) that slowed his progress down a bit. Solid year with Kärpät should improve his stock enough, to warrant NHL call from somewhere. Propably not with Canadiens though, they are too deep on this department.
Oskari has opened the season well. In 10 games this far he has 3 goals and 1 assist. It's most likely that he'll beat his season best in goals (3 goals...) and his season best in points (8). He has also gotten quite a bit of icetime, with just over 20 minutes per game.
I'd still rather see the Habs try and bring over Konstantin Korneev before Korpikari. I understand it might be harder to do so, but in the end it would be worth it. From what I've read from here and there, sounds like Korneev has developed into an anchor in the RSL and is one of the top defenceman there.
I'd still rather see the Habs try and bring over Konstantin Korneev before Korpikari. I understand it might be harder to do so, but in the end it would be worth it. From what I've read from here and there, sounds like Korneev has developed into an anchor in the RSL and is one of the top defenceman there.
If I'm not mistaken, we don't own Korpikari's rights anymore.
I would imagine some team would give him tryout, when hes propably willing to sign two-way deal. Not being limited to Habs, who have great prospect depth there, should only help.
I don't know... Is any NHL team looking for an experienced, young, big and strong defenseman who is solid in his own end and still improving offensively?
