Player's Profile
- Name: Lauri Tukonen
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Right
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Birthdate: 1986-09-01
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: ,
- Acquired: 1st round (#11 overall), 2004
- Playing In: Pro
Lauri Tukonen
Prospect Grade: 7.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Pekka Lampinen
History
Tukonen drew attention to himself at a younger age than nearly any Finnish player, gaining a roster spot among men in the second tier league right before turning 15. He was ready to contribute, but injuries hampered his development in the small Ahmat organization. He moved to Blues, an elite league organization, in the middle of the 2002-03 season. The draft year was a time for breakout as he totally dominated the junior A league, played half a season in the professional league and became the youngest skater in recent history to play for Finland in the World Junior Championships.
2004-05: Despite the influx of NHL talent into Europe during the work stoppage, Tukonen managed to retain his spot on the roster and find a regular shift on the third and fourth lines. Continued his development in the SM-Liiga improving on both goal and point totals. Still extremely young, Tukonen will look to move up fast on the depth charts when the veterans return to the NHL.
2005-06: Tukonen spent the season anchoring the offense for Manchester of the AHL. Tukonen bore this weight admirably en route to 36 points in 62 games while battling nagging injuries most of the season. He eventually succumbed to the injuries, needing shoulder surgery towards the end of the season which removed him from the playoffs entirely. Skated for Team Finland at the WJC U20 tournament, where he placed second overall in scoring.
2006-07: Again getting off to a rough start while battling an on-going shoulder injury, Tukonen finished the season with 32 points in 61 games, nearly in line with the prior season's totals. Tukonen did, however, receive a four game call-up to Los Angeles where he was used sparingly and did not register on the score sheet. His season again was cut short due to injuries after appearing in only 6 playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Tukonen grew to his fairly large frame at a young age and has now refined his physique. He is nearly unstoppable in corners against junior competition and excels at covering the puck. The proud owner of a good pair of hands, his stickhandling is up for any task and his wrist shot is accurate. At times Tukonen suffers from tunnel vision mostly due to inexperience as he charges or dekes his way past opponents looking down and missing opportunities to pass the puck. His defensive game has evolved but can still be described as average. In the elite league where a youngster like him can only obtain a checking a role he has been eager to lay hits, but when dominating against juniors his physical play tends to lose that aspect as he focuses on the puck. Even though on occasion his deeds have hinted at a scoring touch most rare among Finnish players, the biggest question in Tukonen's case is whether his talent is great enough to score as much as he is expected to.
Future
Drafted at the age of 17, the Kings have a little extra time to allow Tukonen to develop. Tukonen has been battling injuries each of his first two seasons in the AHL and that has greatly stunted his progress. His first taste of the NHL in 2006-07 had more to do with getting a look at Tukonen against NHL competition than as a reward for stellar play or due to any expectation that he was ready for the NHL. The 2007-08 season in Manchester will be the "make or break" season for Tukonen as he is beginning to be passed up on the depth charts.
Stats
| Year |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| 2003-04 |
Blues |
SM-Liiga |
35 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
16 |
| Blues* |
SM-Liiga |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| 2004-05 |
Blues |
SM-Liiga |
43 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
| 2005-06 |
Manchester |
AHL |
64 |
14 |
22 |
36 |
20 |
| Team Finland |
WJC U20 |
7 |
3 |
7 |
10 |
0 |
|
| 2006-07 | Los Angeles | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester | AHL | 61 | 13 | 19 | 32 | 30 | |
| Manchester* | AHL | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Profile Last Updated: March, 4th 2008
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