[News] HPK announces Eetu Tuulola will play in the WHL this season

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I still wish he would have been drafted by a different team with more offensive bite.

I think that's a good thing. He's a sixth round pick not a hotshot 1st rounder... on a team with more offensive bite he might end up playing less minutes, with lesser players, against lesser players. Much better chance of him getting more significant minutes on a lower scoring squad.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I think that's a good thing. He's a sixth round pick not a hotshot 1st rounder... on a team with more offensive bite he might end up playing less minutes, with lesser players, against lesser players. Much better chance of him getting more significant minutes on a lower scoring squad.

That's a very good point. Hopefully this is what happens for him as it would help him even more development wise. Better for the Flames too.

[innercliff]

Great news... loved watching E2 at the scrimmage...
Hoping for him to be a "Ruutu" pain in the buttock for the future of the Flames

[Steve Bozek]

If I've read that correctly, it looks like he goes back to Finland for the 2017-18 season.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

If I've read that correctly, it looks like he goes back to Finland for the 2017-18 season.

His contract with HPK ends after the 2017-18 season, that is all the article says. Nothing about where he will play in 17/18.

[FBI]

Well that settles it then. I'll be going to a bunch of Silvertips games this year.

[cral12]

Brilliant.

Should receive some excellent tutelage under Everett head coach Kevin Constantine as well.
[...The only coach in NHL history to take two eighth-seeded teams to first-round Stanley Cup playoff upsets (San Jose over the Detroit Red Wings in 1994 and Pittsburgh over New Jersey in 1999).]

[TheScorpion]

Woohoo! He's something else, Eetu, and he's a great prospect. Will be a fantastic NHLer.

[Locke]

Every time I hear his name I think of Turanga Leela.

Now you will too.

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by cral12

Brilliant.

Should receive some excellent tutelage under Everett head coach Kevin Constantine as well.
[...The only coach in NHL history to take two eighth-seeded teams to first-round Stanley Cup playoff upsets (San Jose over the Detroit Red Wings in 1994 and Pittsburgh over New Jersey in 1999).]

Except who has Constatine ever developed from Everett to the NHL?
Almost no one of note.
He makes lots of NHL scouts think his Goalies are good though, they keep getting drafted and busting in the NHL.
Wish he was somewhere else, but still good news he is in NA.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Locke

Every time I hear his name I think of Turanga Leela.

Now you will too.

No. No I won't.

[Geeoff]

This kid is already a steal for a 6th round pick with the meme potential alone.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

No. No I won't.

Oh no?

[sureLoss]

News Update

Ryan Pike @RyanNPike
Have confirmed with the club that Eetu Tuulola has agreed to a contract with Everett. Barring anything unforeseen, he'll be a Silvertip.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I actually think he may have benefited more in staying in HPK. Would have given the Flames 4 years before having to sign him, and I do think he is just going to be a big kid bowling other kids over. Might have been better playing against men due to physical size and his enjoyment of playing a physical game.

CHL seems to really punish players who are bigger and stronger with hitting. For instance, I believe Kanzig is more likely to develop into a player in the AHL as he won't be as punished there for hitting, and he seems like he basically has to 'tone it down' or his clean hits are called as penalties.

I think Tuulola might be better off in the AHL? I kind of view this as a step down in competition for him. However, to be fair, I would expect a big uptick in playing time, so I fully acknowledge that it may prove to be the best move as young players don't often get much playing time in European Men's leagues, and even in the AHL he may be stuck on the 3rd or 4th lines.

Just trying to weigh the increased playing time in my head, with the decreased level of competition.

[Eric Vail]

I sure hope the Finnish Milan Lucic turns out better than the Swedish Wendel Clark did.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I actually think he may have benefited more in staying in HPK. Would have given the Flames 4 years before having to sign him, and I do think he is just going to be a big kid bowling other kids over. Might have been better playing against men due to physical size and his enjoyment of playing a physical game.

CHL seems to really punish players who are bigger and stronger with hitting. For instance, I believe Kanzig is more likely to develop into a player in the AHL as he won't be as punished there for hitting, and he seems like he basically has to 'tone it down' or his clean hits are called as penalties.

I think Tuulola might be better off in the AHL? I kind of view this as a step down in competition for him. However, to be fair, I would expect a big uptick in playing time, so I fully acknowledge that it may prove to be the best move as young players don't often get much playing time in European Men's leagues, and even in the AHL he may be stuck on the 3rd or 4th lines.

Just trying to weigh the increased playing time in my head, with the decreased level of competition.

I am pretty sure the Flames still have 4 years to sign him as he was drafted from Europe. I am 95% sure that his coming to the WHL does not change that. At least there is nothing explicitly in the CBA saying that changes.

This is his audition to get a NHL contract. He could technically play in the AHL, but I don't recall a precedent where a NHL draft pick played in the AHL without a NHL contract. I don't think the Flames are at the point where they are ready to sign him.

Remember Tim Harrison looked really good in his first development camp and put up points in scrimmages. At this point it is looking very unlikely Harrison will get a contract.

[sureLoss]

oh also on the plus side, now that the Silvertips have confirmed he has signed a contract, we can expect to see him in Penticton barring any injuries.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I actually think he may have benefited more in staying in HPK. Would have given the Flames 4 years before having to sign him, and I do think he is just going to be a big kid bowling other kids over. Might have been better playing against men due to physical size and his enjoyment of playing a physical game.

CHL seems to really punish players who are bigger and stronger with hitting. For instance, I believe Kanzig is more likely to develop into a player in the AHL as he won't be as punished there for hitting, and he seems like he basically has to 'tone it down' or his clean hits are called as penalties.

I think Tuulola might be better off in the AHL? I kind of view this as a step down in competition for him. However, to be fair, I would expect a big uptick in playing time, so I fully acknowledge that it may prove to be the best move as young players don't often get much playing time in European Men's leagues, and even in the AHL he may be stuck on the 3rd or 4th lines.

Just trying to weigh the increased playing time in my head, with the decreased level of competition.

At this stage in his development, you want him getting 20 minutes a game in all situations (PP, PK). He should get that in Everett. He's unlikely to get that in a men's professional league.

The WHL is the best place for him to develop the offensive side of his game. The question is whether Constantine is going to help or hinder that development.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I sure hope the Finnish Milan Lucic turns out better than the Swedish Wendel Clark did.

lol, oh Niklas Sunblad, such high hopes I had for you.