Quoting: MaxDomi13
I don't think I have it
8. Lauri Pajuniemi, RW, 20 (TPS)
TPS’ leading scorer and Liiga’s top under-21 scorer, Pajuniemi has broken out this season as a natural goal scorer. He has always had the ability to finish off plays, but he used to drift to the perimeter to try to make plays and he wasn’t a volume shooter as a result. This year, that has changed with more than 175 shot attempts across more than 750 shifts, which has helped him to 23 goals (second in the league). Believe it or not, despite his high goal totals relative to his assists, Pajuniemi has actually been unlucky this season, with a .987 PDO while playing at a team-high 49.9 CF percentage on a mediocre team. He’s a multi-faceted offensive winger who can score with his release off of his natural side or pound the one-timer from his off-wing on the power play:
He also has the skill needed (both as a skater and a handler) to attack against defenders one-on-one.
Watch the play he makes out of the corner with his puck skill, his stick-withitness and his crossovers here (nice little chip under the bar while off balance too):
Those are both skills that will translate on smaller ice. I think he would excel in an offensive role in the AHL and I don’t think middle six winger with some flair is out of the question if he continues to progress like he has in the past six months.
9. Karl Henriksson, C, 19 (Frolunda HC)
If you’ve followed my work, you’ll know that I’m a big Henriksson fan. He plays the give-and-go game extraordinarily well, buzzing around the ice to get open, make a quick play and then get back open. He’s got quick feet from a standstill, on his crossovers, and in his stops and start. He’s an excellent passer who can make slick plays through seams. And though he’s 5-foot-9, he has typically played on the inside, particularly against his peers (he can drift at the pro level), unafraid to split the D or go to the front of the net to make a play. My concern with his game is that he’s not a finisher, and it’s hard to be just a 5-foot-9 energy guy who can pass the puck unless you can also score and beat goalies with your release. He just turned 19 this week though and he’s got some NHL qualities. I’ve also seen him begin to show signs that he wants to play a more aggressive style at the pro level, where he has struggled to generate shots to date.
It was nice to see him attack the inside with his hands and feet here:
Or drive out wide instead of looking pass here:
He’s going to have to do both of those things more consistently if he wants to reach his NHL upside. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a big step at the pro level next year, though.
10. Yegor Rykov, LHD, 22 (Hartford Wolf Pack)
After hurting his foot in Traverse City, Rykov’s rookie season in the AHL has been a bit of a mixed bag. I’ve seen him make plays offensively, as well as mistakes defensively. Both of those things run counter to my evaluation of his game over the past few years. He’s comfortable with the puck and has consistently shown poise in waiting for the play to develop on zone exits, or across the offensive zone blue line as a relatively simple playmaker who never really pushed for offence. But the crux of his game was built around his ability to play a smart game defensively, choose his spots to close gaps carefully, and make little plays along the wall to win battles and move the puck. This year, I have seen him struggle with the pace of the North American game, often getting caught flatfooted or losing races. But I’ve also seen him try to be aggressive offensively, which is a nice little development. Once he settles down and stays healthy for an extended period, I think he’ll have a chance at third-pairing minutes.
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