Elite Prospects - Jokerit U20

Because it's the offseason, I tried to put together the best team of 200cm (just under 6'7") players I could. I very quickly found out how few forwards that tall there really are. I expected to have to pull some players from AHL. I didn't expect I'd be looking through Swedish Tier 3 rosters for wingers.

LW	C	RW
Mathias Bau Hansen (200cm/6'7") - Hershey (AHL)	Nikita Pavlychev (200cm/6'7") - Penn State (NCAA)	Marko Antilla (200cm - 6'8") - Jokerit (KHL)
Axel Blomqvist (200cm/6'7") - IK Pantern (Allsvenskan)	Curtis Douglas (204cm/6'8") - Windsor (OHL)	Hugo Paltta - TUTO U20 - (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
Daniel Palmqvist (202cm/6'8") - Lions HC (Swedish Tier 3)	Austin Rueschhoff (200cm/6'7") - WMU (NCAA)	Adam Klapka(200cm/6'7") - HC Benatky (Czech2)

6'7"+ Forwards are very rare. There were some with AHL/ECHL experience, but no active players I could find who've played an NHL game. By the time you get down to the third line you're basically getting anyone who can kind of skate.
There's only 3 lines because there aren't actually enough players to make 4. I tried to keep everyone at their normal position, but there's likely centers playing wing since some players were just listed as Forward.

LD	RD
Tyler Myers (203cm/6'8") - WPG	Zdeno Chara (206cm/6'9") - BOS
Jamie Oleksiak (201cm/6'7") - PIT	Andrej Sustr(200cm/6'7")- ANA
Nikita Tryamkin(200cm/6'7") - Avtomobilist (KHL)	Viktor Svedberg (204cm/6'8") - Rockford (AHL)

Defensemen were a much easier task. All have NHL experience

Goalie
Ben Bishop (203cm/6'8") - DAL
Niko Hovinen (200cm/6'7") - KalPa (Liiga)

Lindback and Dubnyk both just miss the cut at 6'6"/198cm so we have to look outside the NHL for a backup goalie. Eliteprospects only shows 6 other goalies that tall in any leagues around the world. I went with 6'7" Niko Hovinen from KalPa, who had the highest save percentage and fewest goals allowed in his 22 games in Liiga last season.

Now that Liiga's playoffs are ongoing we should look back to some prospects performances this regular season. Before that few interesting stats you should know. I gathered some stats from past five Liiga seasons, here are some stats that will show you how much points, goals and ppg you got to have to be a top 5 player, elite (top 20 player) or a top 100 player in the league(in a single season). Every team has 60 games each regular season.
top 5 scorer: 24 or more
elite scorer: 16-23
top 100 scorer: 8-15
top 5 in points: 53 or more
elite in points: 37-52
top 100 in points: 20-36
ppg top 5: 0,96 ppg or more
ppg elite: 0,75-0,95
ppg top 100: 0,46-0,74
PROSPECTS
Kristian Vesalainen Jets 24th op 2017 ,Kärpät winger age: 18, 6’3 209lbs 49gp 22+21=43
After a strong season in Liiga and great performance in U20s, Vesalainen seems to be ready for a move to NA side. Already an elite forward in Finnish league, another year in Finland would be a waste.
Patrik Virta Rangers 207th op 2017, TPS centewinger age: 21 5’10 168lbs 58gp 14+26=40
Former Wild player Tony Virta’s son’s 3rd season in Finnish league made him a breakthrough to the elite class. Fast, but physicality can be a question, has potential to be a bottom six player. Another year in Liiga or trial in the minors would be a good fit for this guy.
Petrus Palmu Canucks 181st op 2017, TPS winger age: 20 5’7 179lbs 59gp 17+19=36
Three year tour in NA junior league made him a OHL elite, but had some difficulties in the professional level. First year problems could be the cause, but year or two could make him a NHL ready player.
Otto Koivula Islanders 120th op 2016, Ilves winger age: 19 6’4 220lbs 53gp 9+18=27
Koivula’s 2nd whole year in the Liiga was a disappointment. Last year’s 30 point season made some promises for better but -21 +/- this year and almost the same point amount also. Off year certainly for him.
Eetu Tuulola Flames 156th op 2016, HPK winger age: 19 6’2 225lbs 49gp 16+10=26
First year was a better than expected in goal wise. Tuulola showed some potential to be an elite goal scorer. Year or two in Liiga will do well for this guy.
Kaapo Kähkönen Wild 109th op 2014, Lukko goalie age: 21 6’2 227lbs 56gp .922 GAA 2.20
Second dominant year for Kähkönen in Lukko. Another year in Liiga would be waste for this goalie. Has starter potential.
Sebastian Repo Panthers 184th op 2017, Tappara centewinger age: 21 6’2 198lbs 47gp 14+12=26
Third year in Liiga was a disappointment for Repo. Still has caliber to be bottom six player.
Miro Heiskanen Stars 3rd op 2017, HIFK D age: 18 6’0 170lbs 30gp 11+12=23
Had great season in Liiga with also 15 +/-. Great performances in the internationals but certainly another year in Liiga or in the minors would benefit him.
Markus Ruusu Stars 163rd op 2015, JYP/Ilves goalie age: 20 6’2 176lbs 11gp .851 GAA 3.75
Ruusu has potential, bad season in professional level but too good in U20 and Finnish second league level. The guy will need to be more consistent with his results.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Sabres 54th op 2017, HPK (LeKi, Mestis) goalie age: 18 6’4 196lbs (second league) 24gp .909 GAA 2.92
Too early to say Luukkonen’s full potential, but after a decent year in Finnish minors, he could have a chance in Liiga next year.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi 2018 Draft class, Ässät center age: 17 6’2 190lbs 57gp 10+19=29
Projected Top 20 pick of 2018 Draft made a strong debut on Liiga this season. Next season in Liiga will tell the full potential of this guy, but seems very promising.
Olli Juolevi Canucks 5th op 2016, TPS D age: 19 6’3 198lbs 38gp 7+12=19
After struggling little bit in Liiga, improved and was important part of TPS’ defence core. Has real opportunity breaking to NHL roster next season, AHL season at minimum.
Rasmus Kupari 2018 Draft class, Kärpät center age: 18 5’11 163lbs 39gp 6+8=14
Also projected top 20 in 2018 Draft. Speedy youngster’s debut in Liiga was decent, but needs more physicality and more work to his shot.
Jesse Ylönen 2018 Draft class, Espoo United (Mestis) winger age: 18 6’1 168lbs 48gp 14+13=27
Projected 2nd round pick Ylönen made his debut in Finnish second league (Mestis), and showed promising shooting ability. Son of Juha Ylönen former Coyotes player, Ylönen will seek a spot in Liiga next year and possible breakthrough.
Urho Vaakanainen Bruins 18th op 2017, SaiPa D age: 19 6’1 185lbs 43gp 4+7=11
Vaakanainen, more defensive minded defender had a decent year in a team that surprised many by finishing 7th in the regular season. Important part of the defence core and has a real shot next season break to NHL roster.
Eetu Luostarinen Hurricanes 42nd op 2017, KalPa center age: 19 6’3 179lbs 55gp 6+14=20
Luostarinen’s first full year in Liiga made improvements for him. Still year or two in the minors or in Liiga would benefit him.
Robin Salo Islanders 46th op 2017, Sport D age: 19 6’1 187lbs 43gp 0+5=5
Second year in Liiga was struggling for Salo. Last year’s 16 points and p/m being decent did not continue this year and Salo had an off year like his team had.
Joni Ikonen Canadiens 58th op 2017, KalPa C/W age: 18 5’11 172lbs 52gp 4+10=14
Ikonen’s first year in Liiga after two year trip in Sweden was struggling. Maybe next season will show his true potential. Needs more time in the top lines.
Oskari Laaksonen Sabres 89th op 2017, Ilves D age: 18 6’2 165lbs 21gp 0+4=4
Laaksonen played most of his year in U20s and was bright spot in their. Next year will probably come with full season trial in Liiga, it will show his true potential.
Eetu Mäkiniemi Hurricanes 104th op 2017, Jokerit U20 goalie age: 18 6’3 176lbs 35gp .916 GAA 3.03
Whole year in U20s was impressive, Mäkiniemi will shift to professional level next year. Too early to say what is the true potential.
Roope Laavainen Blackhawks 119th op 2017, HPK D age: 19 6’2 201lbs 39gp 0+4=4
First year in Liiga didn’t show much. HPK struggled the whole season and did not make the playoffs. Laavainen also struggled in his first season.
Aarne Talvitie Devils 160th op 2017, Blues U20 center age: 19 5’11 198lbs 41gp 34+24=58
Captain of the Blues U20 showed his dominance in U20 level. Showed potential to be elite goal scorer, next season Talvitie will continue in NCAA.
Antti Palojärvi Penguins 186th op 2017, Lukko U20 D age: 19 6’1 176lbs 44gp 2+10=12
Lukko’s U20 team struggled badly this season in U20 level. Palojärvi needs decent teammates to show his true potential. Could be a off pick.
Ville Räsänen Hurricanes 197th op 2017, Jukurit D age: 19 6’2 168lbs (U20) 28gp 0+6=6
Räsänen played only four games in Liiga this season. Debut will probably come next season.
Niklas Nordgren 2018 Draft class, HIFK winger age: 17 5’9 170lbs 15gp 0+3=3
Nordgren, estimated to be 2nd or 3rd rounder this year’s draft. Nordgren dominated U20 level and whole year in Liiga will probably come next year.
Kaapo Kakko 2019 Draft class, TPS winger age: 17 6’1 181lbs (U20) 38gp 25+30=55
Top prospect in 2019’s draft, Kakko already dominates U20 level and full Liiga will come next year.
Updates, edits and adding some prospects to this list are possible.
Also other posts I've made that are similar to this:
Prime undraftees of Liiga