:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33778017/14-nhl-draft-logo-980.0.jpg){kind=logo}
...A CLOSER LOOK AT POTENTIAL MID- AND LATE-ROUND 2014 DRAFT PROSPECTS
FINLAND AND SWEDEN
The Blues have drafted a player from Finland in every draft since Doug Armstrong assumed the duties of general Manager for the 2010 Entry Draft. Each of these draftees has been a defenseman -- Jani Hakanpää in 2010, Teemu Eronen in 2011, Petteri Lindbohm in 2012 and Santeri Saari in 2014 -- and there are some interesting Finnish blueliners available for this draft as well.
Before we get to those players, however, there is a Finnish forward and a Swedish forward who both project to be available in the second and third rounds, and both players would help plug a gap in the Blues' organizational depth chart.
 |
Juho LAMMIKKO | RANKINGS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Left Wing | Central Scouting Prelim | FIN Jr B | ||||||||
| Shoots | Left | Central Scouting Midterm | 13 Europe | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 02.50" | Central Scouting Final | 14 Europe | ||||||||
| Weight | 189 lbs | Future Considerations | 120 Overall | ||||||||
| Born | Jan. 29, 1996 | Hockey Prospect | ... | ||||||||
| Where | Noormarkku, Finland | Int'l Scouting Svcs | ... | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2013-14 | Ässät Pori (Liiga) | 20 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ässät Jr. (Nuorten SM-Liiga) | 37 | 17 | 25 | 42 | +24 | 32 | 2 | 1 | ... | ||
| FIN U-18 (U-18 WJC) | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | + 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING REPORT |
| "Lammikko is a big, lanky forward who doesn't have the greatest feet or skating ability, but picks up speed coming down the wing or when busting down the middle of the ice with the puck. He has a powerful drive to the net, and he likes to drive his way to the goal off the rush. He is tough to stop when he dips his shoulder and moves in. He has a strong handle on the puck, using his body to protect it effectively. He isn't the most creative player, but he has a couple of tricks up his sleeve with the puck. Lammikko is strong around the net, and he will find scoring chances around the slot. He also has a hard wrist shot coming off the rush, which he likes to use. He has solid passing skills, and sees the ice well from the rush and below the goal. Lammikko is a competitive player, and he will get involved on the walls and in the corners to battle for puck possession. He isn't the greatest defensive player, but he comes back and provides an honest effort. We think he has some pro upside. Big and skilled. NHL POTENTIAL: Top Nine Offensive Winger." -- "Future Considerations" 2014 NHL Entry Draft Guide |
 |
Oskar LINDBLOM | RANKINGS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Left/Right Wing | Central Scouting Prelim | SWE Jr B | ||||||||
| Shoots | Left | Central Scouting Midterm | 23 Europe | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 01.25" | Central Scouting Final | 23 Europe | ||||||||
| Weight | 191 lbs | Future Considerations | 118 Overall | ||||||||
| Born | Aug. 15, 1996 | Hockey Prospect | ... | ||||||||
| Where | Gävle, Sweden | Int'l Scouting Svcs | ... | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2013-14 | Brynäs Gävle (SHL) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Brynäs Jr. (J20 Superelit) | 43 | 13 | 20 | 33 | + 2 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 4 | ||
| ... PLAYOFFS | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | + 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Brynäs u-18 (SWE U-18) | 6 | 8 | 5 | 13 | +9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| SWE U-18 (U-18 WJC) | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | + 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING REPORT |
| "Lindblom is a simple player who plays a north-south, power forward's kind of game. He has a smooth stride that allows him to generate decent speed and power. Needs to work on foot speed, agility and acceleration as he looks painfully slow at times. He uses his body and reach to keep possession of the puck, and he also uses his size and strength to earn space on the walls and around the net. He isn't afraid to get involved and battle. He competes hard at both ends of the ice, and doesn't quit in the defensive zone. He can do a better job of getting his body in shot-blocking position; he does come out to challenge the shooters at the point, he just doesn't get his body into good position. He uses his stick well to force things defensively. High-level hockey sense, very good at identifying opportunities to intercept passes, pick pucks off opponents and positions himself well defensively in the neutral zone. Good work with the stick defensively, is strong and hard to control down around the net, and shows impressive puck-handling and passing skills and vision. He has solid pro potential. Really came on strong in the SuperElit playoffs. NHL POTENTIAL: Top-Six Goal-Scoring Winger" -- "Future Considerations" 2014 NHL Entry Draft Guide |