Jari Kurri was a fantastic player, brilliant in all important areas of the game. He could pass the puck with a deft touch, had a quick, accurate release and was both tireless and deadly effective as a checker. On any other team of his playing lifetime, Kurri would have been more famous, won awards. He landed with the Oilers, who were blessed with his enormous talent and exceptional attention to detail.
Jari Kurri set a high bar for Finland in this town, and damned if that little European party nation delivered time and again. In 2016, the Oilers drafted Jesse Puljujarvi and handled him badly. Since then, the Oilers Finnish karma has taken a powder. Time to get back on the right track at the 2020 draft? Voi olla.
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of The Athletic, check it out here.
- New Lowetide: How can Andreas Athanasiou — Ken Holland’s big bet — help the Oilers?
- Lowetide: What are Evan Bouchard’s chances of making the Oilers in 2020-21?
- Jonathan Willis and Lowetide: Who are the Oilers’ top 10 prospects and where do they project in the NHL?
- Jonathan Willis: How do Connor McDavid’s first five NHL seasons compare to the all-time greats?
- Lowetide: Oilers 2020 draft: Are fans ready for Oil Kings’ Jake Neighbours?
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers need to keep feeding their currently rich pipeline of defensive prospects
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How a series of oddball jobs prepared Ken Holland for his front-office career
- Jonathan Willis: 2020 NHL offseason goalie market: Team needs, free agents and trade possibilities
- Lowetide: Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins far more than ‘also in photo’ contributor
- Jonathan Willis: Building the best all-time Oilers roster, with a twist
- Lowetide: What are Tyler Benson’s chances of making the Oilers in 2020-21?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘They were looking outside the box’: Oilers’ distinctive third jerseys still stand out
- Lowetide: If Oilers draft for skill, Seth Jarvis likely to be best available
- Jonathan Willis and Lowetide: Should the Oilers pursue Taylor Hall this summer?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis: The results are in: How you voted in our inaugural Oilers fan survey
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How the Oilers are preparing for an NHL draft in June
- Jonathan Willis: How Gaetan Haas, Joakim Nygard and Riley Sheahan draw calls that lead to goals
- James Mirtle: Ranking every NHL team’s salary cap situation, from best to worst
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers find Connor McDavid’s ideal winger this summer?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: The two coaches who had the biggest influence on Dave Tippett
FINLAND’S BEST FOR 2020
- LC Anton Lundell. A nice range of skills and is showing nice growth in his second Liiga season.
- RW Kasper Simontaival. Unusual skating style but he’s quick and has high-end skill.
- LC Roni Hirvonen. Undersized two-way forward, scored four times in three games at the Hlinka.
- LW Veeti Miettinen. Not a great skater, but he fills the net with pucks.
- RD Topi Niemela. Niemela skates well but has some chaos.
- LW Roby Jarventie. Size, speed and a good shot.
- LD Eemil Viro. Small, fast offensive defender.
- RW Wiljami Myllylä. Gaudy scoring numbers for several years.
- G Joel Blomquist. Strong numbers (.929), confident goaltender, good glove.
- LC Juuso Mäenpää. Small, skilled playmaker.
- LD Sami Niku. Undersized blue with skill and speed. I like the numbers.
I’m not sure about most of these names, I have only Lundell in my top 50 overall. It’s unlikely he is available (more on that in a minute) at No. 20 overall.
FINLAND 2019
- R Kaapo Kakko. He’s 6.02, 190, Scouts rave about his advanced two-way game.
- LD Ville Heinola. Two-way talent with good speed and calm feet. Excellent passer.
- RD Anttoni Honka. Draft Analyst: Swift skating puck rusher.
- L Patrik Puistola. High skill, consistent scorer who also plays a responsible game.
- L Antti Saarela. ISS: Smart and gifted, quality stick skills. Noticeable on PP and PK.
- R Leevi Aaltonen. ISS: “Slick offensive play-maker, undersized but highly skilled.”
- LD Mikko Kokkonen. Two-way defender who adjusted quickly in Finland’s best league.
- R Tuukka Tieksola. Small skill winger, great passer and skating.
- R Wiljami Myllylä, HIFK (Jr Sm-Liiga). Speed demon.
- RD Antti Tuomisto. Puck moving blue, good skater and has an excellent shot.
- R Aku Raty, Karpat (Jr Sm-Liiga). Skill winger who also provides solid play without the puck.
Myllylä didn’t get drafted last summer but I’ve got him on this year’s list. You think that’s stubborn? I wrote about Veini Vehvilainen for three draft years in a row. I’m crazy, man!
TOP 20 MOCK, 2020 DRAFT
- Detroit: L Alexis Lafreniere, QMJHL
- Ottawa: LC Quinton Byfield, OHL
- Ottawa: LC Tim Stuetzle, DEL
- Los Angeles: LC Marco Rossi, OHL
- Anaheim: LC Cole Perfetti, OHL
- New Jersey: RHD Jamie Drysdale, OHL
- Buffalo: LW Lucas Raymond, SHL
- Montreal: LD Jake Sanderson, USHL
- Chicago: RW Alexander Holtz, SHL
- New Jersey: RW Jack Quinn OHL
- Minnesota: LW Dylan Holloway, Big 10
- Winnipeg: RW Seth Jarvis, WHL
- NY Rangers: LC Anton Lundell, Liiga
- Florida: LD Kaiden Guhle, WHL
- Columbus: LC Hendrix Lapierre, QMJHL
- Calgary: LC Connor Zary, WHL
- New Jersey: RW Dawson Mercer, QMJHL
- Nashville: RW Noel Gunler, SHL
- Carolina: LC Jan Mysak, OHL
- Edmonton: RC Mavrik Bourque, QMJHL.
I think the Oilers will have at least one quality forward prospect still on the board at No. 20. The question for Ken Holland at that point might involve trading down. My list has several good forwards after this lot is gone (Jacob Perreault, Lukas Reichel, Tyson Foerster, Rodion Amirov). Maybe trading out is a better plan.
NHLE
Lundell’s NHLE (31.1) and range of skills make him an ideal target, Kasper Simontaival would be an interesting target with the third-round selection. Mavrik Bourque, who I see as McDavid’s eventual right winger, has an NHLE of 33.7. Bourque averaged 4.12 shots per game, 2.45 of those judged to be dangerous shots. Oilers are going to get a good player. I don’t know that they’ll get two. Need a second round pick.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN 1260. Sunny days, baseball on the way and perhaps some news today on the NHL draft. At 10:20 Jonathan Willis from The Athletic will join us to talk NHL return, shakeup in LA and are we all burned out on the games from the past? Ryan Rishaug from TSN pops in at 11 to chat about Edmonton as a hub city for the NHL’s return, the draft’s status and how the league will handle a compressed offseason. Randy Hansch, Buffalo Sabres amateur scout, will drop by at 11:25 to talk about the 2014 Edmonton Oil Kings (he was GM of that team) and the run to the Memorial Cup. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
I’m not sure that’s necessarily true.
I could be wrong but I believe the SHL has officially cancelled this season so they aren’t starting up until the fall. Resumption of the current NHL season could be late summer/early fall.
I don’t know the answer to that question but Samorukov is essentially not an option for NHL games just like Broberg isn’t.
I wouldn’t think Bouchard would play any NHL games (although he would be a real option if injuries did pile up – he’s NHL ready or damn close thereto).
At this point, I would hope they would not get Bouch 10 games (reg plus playoffs) to burn that first year of his ELC.
BornInAGretzkyJersey,
I attempted a 30-player roster above. It doesn’t have to be a D but it would need to be someone like Benson, Granlund, Lagesson or Bouchard. There isn’t room for Samorukov even without Broberg.
Why does it have to be a defenseman? With a 30-man roster there’d be room for some flexibility, don’t you think?
Much more likely the Swedish League starts before the NHL given Sweden’s approach to Covid.
OriginalPouzar,
It could prove invaluable to have Broberg join the taxi squad in order to gain experience of being an NHL pro and also build personal and professional relationships.
On the other hand, who comes out of the roster so he can join the team while never expecting to play a game? Is it Lagesson or Bouchard? Both of whom have played NHL games. What about Samorukov, who’s actually got a season of AHL play under his belt? What kind of signal does that send to the guys who’ve put in time and paid their dues learning the Oilers team systems?
Certainly, Broberg is the 1B defensive prospect in the system. But is him joining the taxi squad worth the risk of alienating the rest of the prospects who’ve come before him and had success on their own merits?
Suntory Hanzo,
JimmyV1965,
This is an angle that’s mentioned in MSM reporting or on the periphery of the Oilogosphere.
Some things that I’ve also read include teammates saying that he could “order pizza just fine” or that it’s not uncommon for coaching staffs in Finland and Sweden to speak English on the benches during games. The implication that he understood the language fine even if he wasn’t fully comfortable speaking. Which is understandable. A teenager speaking to the media is one thing, and to his coworkers is another.
I’ve further read that the team didn’t really provide him with a teacher in the first year, just an informal tutor of sorts and only in the second year onward did they employ a teacher.
So I don’t know what to make of it other than it’s probably in actuality less of a significant factor than many assume.
What I ascribe more importance on is reports that TMac would spend hours in one on one sessions with JP on ice and with video explaining what was expected, only to have him do it once or twice then revert back to what he’d always done beforehand. One year of experience, three years running.
I hope that his stint away stokes his competitive spirit and brings him back with fire in his belly ready to prove his doubters wrong, and more importantly… himself correct. I believe he can play, and even be an impact player. But he needs to put those million dollar tools into a similar quality toolbox instead of the dollar store version he’s been relying on up to now.
I know! You’d think after we’d scored on the first two (five straight including the DET series), they woulda stopped that shit.
But the bastards from Beantown killed the 3rd one.
Some junior hockey teams like Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal are owned by NHL teams and should be okay.
I worry about teams like Swift Current, Brandon etc.
The Cardinals and Diamondbacks do just fine.
I think your idea has merit. I am not sure that moving forward that it might do irreparable damage to major junior hockey
Some people have a more difficult time learning languages than others. It may have also been something that he simply dreaded doing. I’ve never liked the idea though that the Oilers were somehow responsible for his failure to learn English.
Wife and i watched about 10-15 minutes (real time, not game time) and, my goodness, that team couldn’t make a pass. Gretz, Messier, Anderson, Kurri, Smith on a terrible PP.
Messier was awful in the few minutes we watched, awful.
Munny,
And another in the second period!
Harpers Hair,
So no different than all their other games.
Funny how things turn out. The Preds would have been better off trading for RNH, if only for his PP skills. Their PP has been mediocre at best over the last few years. Would be interesting to see how other hockey fans view the two players.
Say what you want about Donuts Koharski and his alleged hate-on for the Oilers, but he gave us two 5-on-3s in the first period of this here Game 2 of the 88 Finals.
Lookin at you, McCurdy! lol
Arizona prepared to host games without fans in the stands next week.
https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/12/doug-ducey-arizona-governor-pro-sports-can-resume-/
I think what bothered me the most about all the talk about Pulju’s development is how much focus people were putting on how the Oilers should have supplied him with more English tutors/classes and such.
1)It’s not like English training is difficult to find in European schools.
2) At how young of an age was he designated as a quality player that might likely make it to an elite league that would require English?
3) How much was he being paid that he couldn’t have thrown some student $20 an hour to help him out. Let alone a personal teacher if needed.
Yes, he could have assistance, but him being drafted to (Surprise) an English speaking nation was a shock to about zero people.
That portion of the argument I lay solely on him. He came unprepared. Like not being able to do a chin up at a combine. But this was worse and had huge implications.
LeBrun with an interview with Daly after the Return to Play Committee met today.
https://theathletic.com/1810693/2020/05/12/lebrun-bill-daly-provides-update-on-nhls-progress-toward-resuming-season/?source=twittered
Nothing really all that informative said but there seems to be positive momentum.
Hope is for phase 2 to start sometime in the next month.
Nothing is cemented as far as format but LeBrun thinks that the 24-team playoff is the front-runner right now – he spoke with one league exec for a bottom feeding team who made it sound like his team likely wouldn’t be coming back.
Early draft is still on the table but there is some time given actual play won’t be for a while still – they are discussing with teams. Should have something official later this week or next.
The problem that I see with broadcasting CHL games is that they are too local.
Can’t imagine someone in Vancouver tuning in to see a game between Saskatoon and Regina.
Also, I think there will be a huge cull of CHL teams in the near future. Most are mom and pop operations who won’t survive without fans in the seats.
Harpers Hair,
I wonder if they would do better showing CHL games or AHL.
I’m thinking it’s possible you will see Bakersfield, Stockton and Utica move home to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver and play in a division with Manitoba and possibly Toronto, Belleville and Laval.
There will be fallout in the US but it’s difficult to say where although the Hurricanes severed ties with the Charlotte Checkers already this week.
I also wonder if TSN would become a broadcast partner for the “Canadian Division” since they won’t have the CFL to broadcast for at least a year and maybe never.
That is only 7 months away and may be the closest to what may transpire. The west coast league may because of limited states involved be one of the first AHL leagues to resume. It would be interesting to know what penalties if any would result if the Oilers move the team. The number one concern should be for the players safety.
California has one of the strictest lockdowns in the country.
Today, the state college system announced there will only be online classes until 2021.
Those that don’t learn from history are bound to repeat it! If you recall what happened during the strike and it leaving Edmonton without an AHL franchise for a number of years. The sharing of the Bulldogs with Montreal was in my opinion an epic fail fo Edmonton’s drafted player’s development. The current situation in California seems almost ideal. Less travel and fewer games played allows the coaches more time for practice and skill development.
This doesn’t alter the “plan” for 2020/21 which is for him to stay in Skellfeta for another year.
This is simply to be with the Oilers, on an expanded roster, for the remainder of the season and playoffs, if they are played.
Its just to gain experience, familiarity, practice time (presumably), etc.
There is essentially zero chance that he’d play a game.
He’d still be heading back to the SHL for his draft plus 2.
Where would JP be on that list if he played his draft plus 1 year in Europe and started his draft plus 2 year in the AHL?
Or even if he played his draft plus 1 year full in the AHL and started his draft plus 2 year there?
I know I said it a few minutes ago but 28 points in 39 games as an 18 year old in the AHL…..
Yup, we agree it seems.
With that said, I think coming over could have worked out much better if they simply would have started him and left him in California for his rookie season and a solid part of his draft plus 2 season.
I mean, 28 points in 39 games in the AHL as an 18 year old……. that’s spectacular
Man, .917 – that does look good. If he can keep that up over 50 games started per season (and do it somewhat consistently like he did this year, that would be great for a few more years).
100% Granlund will be on an expanded roster for the rest of this year, can’t imagine he wouldn’t be. Oh, he be gone. I think he’s already agreed to a contract in the KHL (obviously can’t be official until his NHL deal expires – date uncertain).
Niemelainen – his lack of puck skill likely make him a pretty big long shot to ever be an NHL regular but you never know – big guys that can skate well and have shown marked year over year improvement (as per Howson)……
Rasanen – similar thoughts as he’s a long shot to ever be an NHL regular but, if he can develop those skills that made him so useful for Finland, you never know – all tools guy.
The Portland Winterhawks have declared bankruptcy.
I expect more than a few other junior hockey teams to follow.
leadfarmer,
This is just for the summer holidays, so to speak. Not next season.
(or at least that’s my understanding)
But why?
Why wouldnt you just leave him at home for another year.
Also if you are a prospect in AHL this gives you the opportunity of playing in Europe without worrying that you will piss off your team
That may very well be one of the best draft years for any team in NHL history. Close to 6000 GP.
It almost seems unfair. Or biased.
To be more fair to the RNH critics though, Johansen had some good years early (33G/63PTS in 13-14 and 26G/74PTS in 14-15) while RNH hadn’t cracked 60 yet (50 according to some). Johansen hasn’t scored 20G since while RNH has had his best 2 years in the last 2 (his first 2 times scoring 60PTS). Easy to see how the ‘edge Johansen’ idea got rolling.
It’s definitely overblown at this point though.
Munny,
Yup, that was a tough one.
Looking just now. I counted 13 players that were clearly ahead of Puljujarvi. And a rather large group that could be considered in the same ball park.
He’s 17th in actual scoring from 2016. And Carter Hart. I’d guess something in the 20s.
jp,
Especially when you consider Konstantinov likely would have at least doubled his GP number.
Ryan Johansen is disappointed with his performance this past season. Hopefully Ryan Kesler finds a way to troll him on Twitter over it.
I didn’t realize that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has exactly ONE more point over his NHL career than Johansen, in 56 fewer games. RNH has outscored the other Ryan by 25 goals as well.
Johansen has a size advantage for sure, and has been line-matched against the other teams’ best, but given how hockey circles seemed to laud RyJo and criticize RNH over the past several years, I find it interesting that 93 has provided superior offensive production, even while carrying linemates like Lucic, Puljujarvi, and the likes of Chiasson and Khaira.
probably around 15th – 20th ..
Matthews
laine
Tkachuk
debrincat
keller
sergachev
PLD
bratt
McAvoy
girard
fabbro
chycrun
jost
kunin
fox
to name some of the best from that draft
Lowetide,
Interesting, thanks. Quite likely that I have see-him-good-itis from his play in the spring of last year with Team Canada. While I was mostly tuning in to scout players like Dach and Krebs, Newhook and Drysdale consistently drew my attention. I was wowed by Jamie’s mobility, and his IQ that often turned defensive possession into an offensive sortie. He looked good in elite company, while being younger than most of his peers.
That’s really interesting.
I’d also be a little surprised if it were to happen, there’s actually not many soft spots on an Oilers 30 man list. I tried to make 28-player list a few days back and came up with 30 names.
I’m not sure who would come off to make room for someone like Broberg (you’d make room I guess, but the players listed have all played in the NHL this season save Bouchard and the 3rd G). Interesting tweet all the same.
Athanasiou-McDavid-Kassian
Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ennis-Sheahan-Archibald
Neal-Khaira-Chiasson
Nygard-Haas-Russell
Benson-Granlund
Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Larsson
Jones-Green
Russell-Benning
Lagesson-Bouchard
Koskinen-Smith
Skinner
Browsing Holland’s draft history for Finns (there aren’t a lot) and noticed/remembered the Wings 1989 draft (that was Holland’s 2nd year as scouting director).
11th Mike Sillinger 1049GP
32nd Bob Boughner 630GP
53rd Nick Lidstrom 1534 GP
74th Sergei Fedorov 1248GP
116th Dallas Drake 1009GP
221st Vladimir Konstantinov 446GP
Lordy.
“In 2016, the Oilers drafted Jesse Puljujarvi and handled him badly. Since then, the Oilers Finnish karma has taken a powder. Time to get back on the right track at the 2020 draft? Voi olla.”
Just thinking about Finland and the Oilers and karma. I think it might be fair to say the karma departed long before Puljujarvi came along.
Jari Kurri left the Oilers after the 1990 cup.
Esa Tikkanen was traded for Doug Weight in 1993 (tough to call that bad karma).
After that, the most notable Finnish Oilers have been Janne Niinimaa, Jussi Markkanan, Lennart Petrell, Iiro Pakarinen, Jesse Puljujarvi and Mikko Koskinen (that’s everyone over 80 GP since Tikkanen left)
Smaller contributions from the likes of Rita, Pitkanen, Joensuu, Hartikainen, Korpikoski and Granlund (that’s everyone else who played 20 games for the Oilers).
Here are the Draft picks since 1990. Not pretty:
1990 122nd Keijo Sailynoja F 0GP
1990 248th Sami Nuutinen D 0GP
1991 254th Juha Riihijarvi F 0GP
1992 205th Marko Tuomainen F 79GP (4 for the Oilers)
1994 95th Jussi Tarvainen F 0GP
1998 112th Kristian Antila G 0GP
1999 13th Jani Rita F 66GP (36 for the Oilers)
1999 41st Tony Salmelainen F 70GP (13 for the Oilers)
2001 113th Jussi Markkanen G 133GP (102 for the Oilers)
2001 248th Kari Haakana D 13GP
2002 15th Jesse Niinimaki F 0GP
2002 181st Mikko Luoma D 3GP
2008 163rd Teemu Hartikainen F 52GP
2009 101st Toni Rajala F 0GP
2011 62nd Samu Perhonen G 0GP
2011 182nd Frans Tuohimaa G 0GP
2016 4th Jesse Puljujarvi F 139GP
2016 63rd Markus Niemelainen D 0GP
2016 153rd Aapeli Rasanen F 0GP
2018 195th Patrik Siikanen 0GP
I think that’s all of them. 20 picks over 30 year. 3 in the top 15. And 2 guys (Markkanen and Puljujarvi) have made it to 100GP. Granted 9 of the picks were also after #150, but that’s not good karma. Hopefully Kenny Holland can get the Oilers back on track here.
2020 – The year Connor McDavid and the Bakersfield Condors won the Stanley Cup.
Lundell is really interesting. He might really drop, I doubt he drops further than 15, but he could turn out to be a Barkov or a Lander, based on every opinion out there, mainly due to concerns with his skating. I look forward to seeing who takes a chance on him and what his NHL career ends up actually being.
My favourite prospects from Finlandia are:
1. Veeti Mientinen – he can flat out score goals. I’ve heard conflicting takes on his skating, some reports say he has slow boots, others say it is a strength. All I know is he has 149 goals in 229 games (286 pts) in his Junior career (all levels with his club teams). He is headed to St. Cloud in the Fall, so won’t be in the NHL for at least 2 more years.
2. Roby Jarventie – Big body, big shot, a fast train. Lots of talent, but can he put it all together consistently. An intriguing package.
3. Joel Blomquist – he could end up having the best NHL career of all Goaltending prospects in this Draft. Let’s check back in 20 years….
It’s 2016. You know everything about JP that you know today. At what spot would you draft him?
Interesting from Rishaug (and I imagine there is all but zero chance he’d play a game):
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
·
13m
Oilers would love to have Philip Broberg part of any expanded 30 man roster in a return to play scenario. Will wait to see if he’d be available and eligible if and when things are decided.
Broberg as part of an expanded 30 man roster likely wouldn’t see game action unless they ended up with a number of blue-line injuries. But having him with the team gaining the experience would be viewed as valuable for his development.
I heard there’s talk of pro-rating his career. Straight to the HHOF.
Without AHL Brogdan gafferty will have to go back to college