Miikka Salomaki
|
Birthday:
1993-03-09 |
Position:
LW |
|
Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Left |
|
Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
5-11 |
|
Acquired:
2nd round (52nd overall), 2011 |
Weight:
205 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2008-09: Miikka Salomaki played for Laser HT's U-18 Junior B squad. In 23 games, he scored 13 goals and added 30 assists for 43 points to go along with 71 penalty minutes.
2009-10: Salomaki played for Karpat's U-20 squad Junior A club. In 37 games, he scored 18 goals and added 25 assists for 43 points to go along with 93 penalty minutes. Salomaki played for Finland at the 2010 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring 2 goals and adding 1 assist for 3 points in 5 games. Salomaki also played for Finland at the 2010 U-18 World Junior Championship, picking up 1 assist in 5 games.
2010-11: Salomaki played for Karpat in Finland's top league. In 40 games, he scored 4 goals and added 6 assists for 10 points to go along with 53 penalty minutes. Salomaki picked up 1 assist on 3 playoff games. Salomaki played for Finland at the 2011 U-20 World Junior Championship, scoring 2 goals and adding 1 assist for 3 points in 6 games. Salomaki also played for Finland at the U-18 World Junior Championship, scoring 4 goals and adding 2 assists for 6 points in 6 games. Salomaki was chosen in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2011 KHL Draft by Dynamo Minsk.
2011-12: Salomaki skated in 40 of 60 games for Karpat in his second season – missing time in January and February after suffering a ruptured spleen at the 2012 U20 World Junior Championship. He scored 12 goals with 9 assists and was plus-nine with 56 penalty minutes; averaging 16 minutes of ice time. Karpat finished seventh in the SM-Liiga and lost to second-place Pelicans in a seven-game series in the playoff quarterfinals. Salomaki played in 7 of 9 games during the playoffs due to a two-game suspension and was plus-three with one assist and 59 penalty minutes. Salomaki was a key player for Finland in his second WJC – skating the second line with Karpat teammate Joonas Donskoi and Joel Armia (Buffalo). He scored 3 goals with 3 assists in seven games and was plus-one with 4 penalty minutes for the fourth-place Finns.
Talent Analysis
Salomaki has improved his offensive skills over the past year and has a scoring ability that could project him as a top-six forward in the NHL. He has an excellent work ethic, is a tenacious defender that has some sandpaper to his game. The versatile winger can play all the forward positions and as his offensive talents improve, he could become a good two-way player with his already reliable defensive-zone play. The energetic player has to improve his skating stride, acceleration and balancing to play at the NHL level but his overall style fits very well to the North American game.
Future
Salomaki will play at least this season for Karpat in the SM-liiga and continue his overall development in Europe. He will be one of Finland's top offensive players at the 2013 WJC tournament if he can stay healthy. The Predators second round pick could be fast tracked to the NHL in the very near future, should he continue his solid improvement over this year.
