Someone over on the AHL boards said he was talking with teams in Sweden and Finland. Did not provide a link and I found nothing to that regard.
As to the Preds, having seen most of their young D-men in Milwaukee, they already have a stable of puck moving defensemen, and since Ville is the smallest of them (under 6 feet ??) he's probably going to have a more difficult time cracking the Pred's roster. Not that he isn't a good player, I like his skating and stickhandling skills.
Ville Koistinen will make his national team debut tomorrow in WHC quarter finals against Team Russia after beeing already in a summer vacation in Finland after AHL playoffs. Finland´s no 1 QB and leading scorer Petteri Nummelin got an injury in the USA game and now Ville is expected to bring the same contribution. Ville was Lasse Kukkonen's pair in today's practise which is an indication that he can be seen in the 1st pair and 1st PP unit.
Ilves has told that they will do anything to get Ville back in their roster, if he will play in Europe.
Ville made a really astonishing debut and was not just good, but the best defender of the game. No mistakes, aggressive and strong in the corners, excellent movement and great passes - A+ for his first game in national team.
Tough luck getting him to Finland after that game. Even if the Preds didn't want to keep him, some other team will almost certainly give a late pick for him. And if that doesn't happen, I'm sure just about every single Swedish and Swiss team will be lining up their cash before him.
Ilves has told that they will do anything to get Ville back in their roster, if he will play in Europe.
Ville made a really astonishing debut and was not just good, but the best defender of the game. No mistakes, aggressive and strong in the corners, excellent movement and great passes - A+ for his first game in national team.
This kid moves unbelievably well. You can look at my Admirals posts to see some of my game comments. For such as small kid, he is rugged, and is not knocked over easily. He is obviously going to be an 'offensive - defenseman', but his size might keep him off some rosters with a lot of depth at D. However, I am sure the Preds could get a decent pick for him if they wanted to deal him. The issue is that Europe is starting to pay so well, that it might be just as fruitfull for him to be a star over there, than a plug - in over here...
Ville was named Team Finland's best player in today's final against Canada. Really good performance by him considering that this was his 2nd game in the national team.
Ville played only two games (Russia and Canada) and he was +3. Pretty amazing rise from shadows Team Finland's best defenseman. I am sure that he has the tools to succeed in the NHL level and is cheap.
Somebody slap me, please! If Ville doesn't get a contract in NHL with his stats and performance, what the **** are all these mediocre Finns signed for this season??? Have you gone insane in Nashville? Are you letting him go?
Somebody slap me, please! If Ville doesn't get a contract in NHL with his stats and performance, what the **** are all these mediocre Finns signed for this season??? Have you gone insane in Nashville? Are you letting him go?
This does not necessarily mean that he has an intention play in Europe in any case, because he has told earlier that he has time to wait for a proper contract offer from NHL and could sign with a European team as a backup plan.
I thought if he signs a contract to Europe, he can't move to NHL anymore for next season. Or is the transfer deadline 15th of july?
He was qualified by the Predators, so they still have his rights...
any contract he signs is likely contingent on whether or not he makes the Predators. I think this is just saying that if he does not, he will play in Switzerland instead of the AHL.
Koistinen signed, one year, ONE WAY deal(unless the info is wrong)
Ryan Maki also signed, two way deal for him.
Ugh, one way deal for Koistinen? What a terrible move. One way deal for a 8th defensemen. I guess this is our way of reaching the Salary Floor without actually improving the team.
So we're going to carry 8 defensemen and be over stocked at the forwards too?
Does his salary count when he's down in Milwaukee? I think it was a one way deal just to get him to come back to the U.S. There's always the possibility he'll make the team. Which raises the question of who has options to send down to Milwaukee without waivers?
Ugh, one way deal for Koistinen? What a terrible move. One way deal for a 8th defensemen. I guess this is our way of reaching the Salary Floor without actually improving the team.
Considering his last season, I'd say Koistinen has more potential than an 8th defenseman.
