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Top 40 prospects in Finland
Written by: Pekka Lampinen on 09/04/2004 
The note below each name describes the player’s chances of reaching their potential: (1) on track -- the player is already the kind of player he could become at best and should get there by developing steadily; (2) needs work -- the player has flaws in his game, high potential compared to current ability or other obstacles along the way, but may reach it; (3) unlikely -- the player has abilities which hint of high upside, but he probably won't reach it.
For more information about the players, please click on the link for their player profile.
1. Lauri Tukonen, RW (LA)
Progress: On track
Tukonen has always been mature for his age. His downside is a player whose skills remain unpolished and mediocre, hitting the ceiling too early. The positive side is that he has honed his skills so well so early that he can develop them onto a very high level. For such a solid package as a player, his true potential is quite a mystery.
2. Mikko
Koivu, C (MIN)
Progress: Needs work
The sixth overall pick spent three more years in Finland after the 2001 draft than originally expected. Some ran out of patience and were eager to label Koivu as a bust because of it. It is a genuine cause for concern -- his development has been slow. However, it has been exceptionally steady and he has improved in agility and strength. His puck skills can still keep improving for a long time.
3. Petteri Nokelainen, LW (NYI)
Progress: On track
Nokelainen has blossomed and gained greater notoriety. A year ago "only" one of the best of the age group in the country, he is now viewed as an exceptional two-way specialist. Having now showed him the ropes of defensive play in SM-Liiga, Nokelainen's team SaiPa will offer him a great place to develop for at least two more years. His defense needs mostly just experience from now on, so he can concentrate more on offense. He can be expected to become a regular penalty killer as a rookie in the NHL.
4. Jarkko
Immonen, C (NYR)
Progress: On track
Immonen met the expectations set on him after the World Junior Championships of 2002 with a breakout that lasted two seasons. Looking like an NHL player when with the Leafs at the European camp in 2003 didn’t hurt him either. His physical play, however, is concerning. He has bulked up as much as suitable but still gets knocked around too much. Finding the remedy won't be that easy. He still has notable room for improvement even in the fundamentals of both his offensive and defensive play, but still has the potential to excel at them.
5. Valtteri
Filppula, C (DET)
Progress: Needs work
In the 2004 World Juniors Filppula's talent unfolded into a display of desire to become one of the best. With a solid SM-Liiga performance as well, he simply oozes potential. A true finesse player, he copes well with the beating, but that is every bit as far as he can go in terms of physical play. Filppula needs many more time to develop.
6. Jesse
Niinimaki, C (EDM)
Progress: unlikely
Since being drafted in 2002, Niinimaki has performed with gross inconsistency but is still promising. A broken shoulder ruined his 2003-04 season, but is expected to return a lot stronger than before. With the whole process of learning to play effective defense to go, one would hope the very skilled centerman were 17 years old, not about to turn 21.
7. Lauri Korpikoski, LW (NYR)
Progress: On track
During the spring Korpikoski was spoken of as a highly skilled player, but perhaps it was the Rangers' comments that turned the talk back to the track very familiar to Finns. A hard-working team player doesn't get attention on this list, but there is hope for Korpikoski's puck skills to blossom, though the odds are against him. In a non-ideal situation he can still avoid failure and make a career as a checking line speedster.
8. Jussi
Jokinen, LW (DAL)
Progress: On track
After being drafted, Jokinen has improved greatly. The 2003-04 season didn't offer much improvement in the way of points, but it did teach him to carry others beside him and to win a championship. The foreseeable leap to North America should still change his game a bit.
9. Teemu
Lassila, G (NSH)
Progress: Needs work
The Cinderella of 2003 went through trying times in his sophomore season but brought the chapter to a happy ending. Back on track to aim for the top, he could achieve NHL readiness in only one year. Although Lassila lacks a strength that would make him NHL bound and that hurts his potential as well, his well-rounded game is his best attribute.
10. Sami Lepisto, D (WSH)
Progress: Needs work
Unknown a year ago, Lepisto is now doing everything necessary to become as good as possible. During the regular season of 2003-04 he solidified his position in SM-Liiga, and when a couple of veterans went down with injury, he found another gear for the playoffs. He didn’t dominate, but he took every opportunity to play like a star with a high-risk game, which is a great help in development. On the downside, it is possible that he never learn to minimize his defensive liability.
11. Tuomas
Nissinen, G (STL)
Progress: unlikely
Nissinen has always had great tools, now it is just a matter of putting it all together. His development has stalled ever since he wore down after an exhausting fall season and the World Junior Championships of 2003. His future in the NHL is hanging by a single thread.
12. Mikko
Kalteva, D (COL)
Progress: On track
Kalteva was with the Jokerit pros already in the 2002 preseason, but as the organization likes its defense deep and a few others (Sami Lepisto, Kevin Kantee) have broken out right in front of him, he has still yet to become a regular. A solid performance in the World Junior Championships of 2004 proved that he is the real deal and can cope with his limited mobility even in the big rink. A move to North America should prove relatively easy one day.
13. Ville
Mantymaa, D (ANA)
Progress: Needs work
Once the top of the class in his age group, Mantymaa captained the Finnish U18 team in the World Championships in 2003 and has accomplished little since that. Fortunately he still possesses a rare sharpness. Together with a good frame, that makes a very promising combination. A stride in development - not even a legitimate breakout - is all that is needed to make his the top defensive prospect in the country.
14. Janne
Niskala, D (NSH)
Progress: Needs work
Niskala's skating, physique, feistiness and puck skills make him the best package along the blue line in his parts. His inconsistency and defensive play used to be so poor that he was nowhere near the prospect he is now a year ago in 2003, but one season changed it all. However, he may not be able to repeat his success. Another year should tell a great deal more.
15. Kevin
Kantee, D (CHI)
Progress: On track
Kantee is very mediocre. Like Mikko Kalteva, he spent excessive time in Jokerit juniors but never dominated no matter how far he developed. When given a chance in the World Juniors Championships and in SM-Liiga in 2004, he played just the same - an admirable all-around game, that is. Once he has matured enough (never playing like a star), he could make the jump to the NHL and simply do his job well without the problems most players face.
16. Pasi Salonen, LW (WSH)
Progress: Needs work
Back in 2002, Salonen was headed for a first or second round pick in the entry draft. In 2002-03 his numbers in Jr A were better than many people realized, but an injury-ridden 2003-04 season saw no improvement. With his birthdate leaving him outside major international tournaments, his stock plummeted. Now Salonen is a long-term project seeking to put his efficient checking game and impressive offensive skills together.
17. Arsi
Piispanen, C (CBS)
Progress: Needs work
Piispanen boasts impressive stickhandling and hockey sense, which made him a desirable prospect in his draft year of 2003. His extremely lanky build is a cause for concern, and he is filling out slowly. A calm player with limited mobility has to be really good in order to be effective, but Piispanen is unlikely to hit any ceilings anytime soon.
18. Oskari
Korpikari, D (MTL)
Progress: On track
Stay-at-home defensemen can go far before being noticed. Korpikari crept far enough to make an SM-Liiga appearance out of the blue as U19 and continued on the same path from that moment on. He doesn't make any compromises in his ability to defend the net, and that kind of game gives him the chance to become an NHL regular one day. An unspectacular late bloomer can still find his hockey sense difficult to improve.
19. Aleksis Ahlqvist, G (-)
Progress: Needs work
Ahlqvist missed being an NHL draft pick in 2004 due to a lack of scouting. His skills are as god as those selected in the middle rounds. He has always developed steadily and one more season in juniors, then probably to be followed by a jump to SM-Liiga, will be a good foundation for improving his talent. Eventually he should face the need to tweak his style of play towards butterfly, which would be a challenge for him.
20. Markus
Seikola, D (TOR)
Progress: On track
Seikola was a typical junior national team player, well-rounded and good enough to warrant a draft pick right away. He last displayed progress in the 2002 World Junior Championships and then stagnated for a long time. He revived his potential once more in the 2004 SM-Liiga playoffs showing that he could become a depth defenseman in the NHL. Interestingly enough, the defense corps in TPS is so strong that Seikola will not stray off the path by reaching the top pairing. He will be well acquainted with the role.
21. Tuukka
Mantyla, D (LA)
Progress: unlikely
With Mantyla's height, you need the best WJC defenseman honors to earn a draft pick. Naturally he was expected to become an offensive threat, but it was his offense that never developed as expected. That limits his usefulness notably. Fortunately he knows his limits and has long since learned to incapacitate bigger opponents. With his positive performance in the 2004 World Championships it is safe to say that he has reached the level where he could make the team out of camp in favor of less experienced defensemen, even without any special skills.
22. Olli Malmivaara, D (CHI)
Progress: unlikely
For years Malmivaara was offered a depth defenseman's role in Jokerit. A transfer to the weak SaiPa team rejuvenated his game in the middle of the 2003-04 season when he was handed a bigger role. Despite a brutal performance statistically, he took immediate strides in development and was once again a realistic project from the NHL's point of view. If he manages to keep it up, a use could easily be found for the huge defenseman.
23. Lennart Petrell, RW (CBS)
Progress: Needs work
Petrell plays a flashy game as he hunts for big hits and his deking knows no limits. Anything can happen when he is on the ice. It goes without saying that all this comes with a massive downside. Coaches may not want to play Petrell until he learns to play better defense and minimize the risks. He skated under the radar until his last junior year in 2003-04.
24. Teemu Nurmi, LW (-)
Progress: Needs work
A well-rounded and mature player, Nurmi has always been a core player for junior national teams. In 2003 he was not selected in the draft despite being pegged for first day by some. Notable improvement along with an impressive performance in the World Junior Championships wouldn't get him picked in 2004 either. He thirsts for more opportunities to prove himself and will surely not stagnate in 2004-05 either, his final junior year. However, without better raw offensive skills his potential will hit a ceiling rather early.
25. Janne Laakkonen, RW (-)
Progress: unlikely
Laakkonen broke out only weeks too late the join in the World Junior Championships of 2002. Since then he certainly has been visible on the top lines of HPK but apparently found wanting by NHL scouts. At 5'9 and 180 pounds he is small and weak yet obviously something else in the skill department. A five-star skater and stickhandler could one day take his game to such a high level that he simply can't be ignored. Euro Hockey Tour games have indicated that greater opposition doesn't slow him down.
26. Janne Pesonen, RW (ANA)
Progress: Needs work
When Pesonen first entered the fight for SM-Liiga roster spots, he seemed like the typical Finnish youngster: flawless mobility, honed physique and adequate skills but no real potential. Unlike most others, he managed to rise onto a higher level. In 2004 he demonstrated good sniper skills and better overall ability. Another season of notable development would help a lot in proving that he could go far. As far as NHL hopes go, the odds are naturally against a ninth round pick.
27. Miikka Tuomainen, RW (ATL)
Progress: Needs work
The Thrashers used their most recent seventh round pick to draft a long-term project. Tuomainen played with semi-professionals on the second tier already in his draft year, but he isn't as polished as to take his game onto higher levels very early in his career. In about four years' time we should find out what kind of utility player he is becoming.
28. Topi
Jaakola, D (FLA)
Progress: On track
Jaakola never showed signs of timidity when he played SM-Liiga hockey as a regular at the age of 17. He still doesn't but hasn't taken many steps in the positive direction either. He still makes rookie mistakes and his style of play doesn't involve any heroics to make up for them. The experience of three full seasons can't be in vain and he showed that when he played the best hockey of his career in the postseason of 2004 when the team made it all the way.
29. Joni
Puurula, G (MTL)
Progress: Needs work
When Puurula's Cinderella run in 2002 ended with a few soft goals, he was labeled as a goalie who couldn’t perform in clutch situations. That label sticks so hard that many simply ignored the career season he had in 2003-04. His potential is limited by his talent level at his age of 22 and smallish stature, but not as much as one would think. What his possible NHL career needs is for him to gauge his ability in the AHL. However, that wouldn't be a good career move at this point.
30. Juhamatti
Aaltonen, RW (STL)
Progress: Needs work
A fringe player for junior national teams so far, Aaltonen emerged as a superstar in junior A in 2003-04. He logged huge minutes and made things happen all by himself. Such a role leaves a mark on him; the next step is to learn to play better defense. The second tier league would be a good place for that as there is no room on the Karpat SM-Liiga team barring a breakout. Considering his modest achievements Aaltonen would seem to have no potential to become an offensive forward in the NHL, but his pure ability begs to differ.
31. Toni
Koivisto, LW (FLA)
Progress: unlikely
Koivisto matured early and now that a breakout has eluded him for years, it feels like his talent has been stagnant forever. The obstacle between him and point production is his hockey sense and finishing skills, two things that should improve with experience. Whenever he takes a step forward, the blazing fast winger looks as if he had all the potential in the world.
32. Jyri
Marttinen, D (CGY)
Progress: On track
Marttinen earned his status as an NHL prospect in the 2002 World Junior Championships. His 2002-03 season was ruined by back problems, but he rebounded in 2003-04. There are no aspects in his game that would suggest a breakout taking him onto a totally new level - not that there is anything wrong with his game now. His well-rounded game will still hit its ceiling sooner than later when in North America except for one aspect, heart. A player like him is extremely desirable to have on the team even if his talent is modest.
33. Tero
Maatta, D (SJ)
Progress: unlikely
A second round pick followed by a great SM-Liiga rookie season sent Maatta's stock way up in 2000-01. Unfortunately since then Maatta has degenerated as a player and struggled for a good two years. In 2003 he started developing again, slowly and not that surely either, but notably over a long period. He has learned to live with his inconsistency and questionable hockey sense and plays good hockey most of the time. It is hard to say anything about Maatta's future potential, including limiting it.
34. Otto Honkaheimo, D (-)
Progress: On track
Honkaheimo still skates under the radar. A valuable effort in the U18 World Championships of 2003 made him core material for the age group's national team and he is very likely to make the upcoming World Junior Championships. By that time he may look like a very promising two-way defenseman with few flaws. His next milestone is to establish a position in SM-Liiga, which won't necessarily happen in 2004-05.
35. Sami
Venalainen, LW (PHX)
Progress: Needs work
The speedy winger broke out in 2003-04. His pseudo-skills finally turned real as he set a personal record in point production, and put his game together. He still isn't set on track for an NHL career, but the tools are there. A promising showing in the Coyotes' camp in 2002 may help him overcome a few bumps along the way.
36. Teemu
Jaaskelainen, D (CHI)
Progress: On track
An eighth round pick, Jaaskelainen started out as a long shot. His development was decent at best and he was disappointing in the 2003 World Junior Championships but then took a turn for the better, nowadays a core defenseman for Ilves. His career is fighting an uphill battle against the limits of time and potential chasing the threshold of NHL hockey. On his level any stagnation hints at defeat, a prospect of his status needs a breakout.
37. Arttu Virtanen, RW (-)
Progress: Needs work
Virtanen is a physical, hard-hitting winger, but short of an agitator. Many rookie forwards have tried to make it in TPS in the past couple of years, yet none have left an impression as strong as Virtanen did in the spring of 2004. Simply put, he hit and he scored. Not a candidate for Finland's team in World Juniors only a few months earlier, Virtanen is obviously not quite a player of exceptional quality, but a very intriguing prospect nonetheless. His nose for the net is promising, whereas his speed could use improvement as it plays a crucial role in effectiveness on high levels of play.
38. Ossi Louhivaara, LW (OTT)
Progress: On track
The Senators made a discovery in Finland's second tier league in 2003. Louhivaara did not see much improvement in 2003-04 as worn down by military service, but now he is ready to take a step forward with JYP in SM-Liiga. A winger of commendable speed, decent skill and ability to play both ways can always be surprisingly valuable.
39. Valtteri Tenkanen, C (LA)
Progress: Needs work
Tenkanen has always developed steadily but was not a big enough talent to earn a pick in 2003. In 2004 the Kings picked him despite no appearances in major international tournaments. He will surely continue to make progress, at this point he must learn to produce more. Tenkanen could climb the ranks in the future.
40. Teemu
Laine, RW (NJ)
Progress: On track
For years Laine was pushed from one role to another by Jokerit, even center and defenseman, on the lower lines of the team, never given a solid standing. Some argue that Laine, lacking in hockey sense and finishing, didn't deserve it anyway. Now he is off to a fresh start with Tappara, still hoping to become a utility player for the Devils one day.
Other Notables
Joonas
Vihko, RW (ANA)
Progress: Needs work
Vihko's career development fell after he was drafted as an overager. His point production shrank and with it his role diminished as well. Now he is making his way back onto the wings of HIFK's second line, but he has lost precious time and potential. If he improves his confidence and consistency, he could still become an energy line sparkplug in the NHL.
Tomi
Maki, RW (CGY)
Progress: On track
Life has treated Maki poorly as of late. He displayed offensive potential along with his physical high-energy game in the 2003 World Junior Championships but has failed to reach foothold anywhere since then. Battered by multiple concussions and injuries, he has also been pushed around in the deep Jokerit roster. His problems reach for a new pinnacle as he could be knocked completely off the roster in 2004-05 by new veteran acquisitions. Maki's potential in the offensive end was always hanging by a thread and repressed like this, it is now probably ready to be buried. His career as a whole isn't.
Miika Wiikman, G (-)
Progress: Needs work
The Swedish-grown goalie decided to commit to his parents' homeland at the age of 18. Largely untested, he has an impressive talent level at an early age along with calmness and quickness. Wiikman has now joined HPK in SM-Liiga and hungers for results. He must continue to progress steadily. At this point even small changes in his performance can alter his predicted potential greatly as it has been difficult to gauge.
Copyright 2004 Hockey’s Future. Do not duplicate without written permission of the editorial staff.
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