I recently looked at Markus Granlund's season in depth. Out of 43 teens in the SM-liiga, he managed the second best PPG pace in the league (.72). Only his older brother Mikael was better.
Of the eleven 18-year old forwards in the league, Granlund was #1 - marginally ahead of first rounder Joel Armia (.70 PPG), but way out in front of the rest of the field.
I then compared him to past NHLers who played around the same age in the same league. His results were better than the Koivu brothers, Filppula, Hagman and Leino and within range of Olli Jokinen's (0.82 PPG).
So some pretty good early returns from the second rounder I'd say.
I recently looked at Markus Granlund's season in depth. Out of 43 teens in the SM-liiga, he managed the second best PPG pace in the league (.72). Only his older brother Mikael was better.
Of the eleven 18-year old forwards in the league, Granlund was #1 - marginally ahead of first rounder Joel Armia (.70 PPG), but way out in front of the rest of the field.
I then compared him to past NHLers who played around the same age in the same league. His results were better than the Koivu brothers, Filppula, Hagman and Leino and within range of Olli Jokinen's (0.82 PPG).
So some pretty good early returns the second rounder I'd say.
I think Markus has been playing on the wing this season. I'm kind of hoping he can handle the centre position next season although I guess he's a little small for a modern day centreman.
Ma Granlund probably should have been chosen as rookie of the year, but it went to Teuvo Teräväinen. Not mature enough to contribute much in the playoffs, or at least their coach seemed to think so, but it sounded like their whole team sucked in the post season anyway.
Couldn't find a compilation video of just Markus' season, but here's one of both Granlunds. You can see that he connects with his brother on many of his points but they're hardly gimmes (and Mikael's season wasn't as great as people expected anyway). Markus actually has a pretty snappy shot.
Markus is number 11, Mikael 64.
Last edited by Henry Fool; 05-22-2012 at 06:15 AM.
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I feel like Markus Granlunds year was a little under-appreciated by a lot of people. He's one of our more skilled prospects, he's probably one of our better prospects. I can't remember but does he play the wing or center?
I feel like Markus Granlunds year was a little under-appreciated by a lot of people. He's one of our more skilled prospects, he's probably one of our better prospects. I can't remember but does he play the wing or center?
Winger.
EDIT... although he's listed as a center on websites. Never thought of him as a center. Maybe in junior he was.
Last edited by Henry Fool; 05-22-2012 at 03:13 PM.
He probably transitioned to wing to play with his brother.... maybe?
Something like that. Maybe center was just too much responsibility for such a young player. I've never seen him play center that I recall. So he looks like a winger to me. Always assumed that he'd be a winger on the adult level.
I guess we'll see next year. Could be first line winger, could be second line center, or whatever. No one knows at this point.
Markus had always been center before this past season. He wasn't mature enough to handle center position in pro league and I think HIFK is going to keep him on the wing the following season.
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