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Originally Posted by druetetective
Scouting reports I've seen had similar views. Is physical with his body but not in the hitting/roughing guys up sense.
I'll be watching Finland close this year at WJC. Anyone else your familiar with over there Henry?
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No. The two big forwards have been talked about for years in Finland so I've casually picked up some info. Usually you hear about the guys who are likely to go in the first round and Puljujärvi and Laine have been seen as exceptionally strong for some time.
Laine dropped a bit in the conversation because of questions about his character and skating, but the incident where he was sent home from the national team will be almost two years old by draft day and his speed has improved a lot. His top speed is good, he beats defenders, although I think his shot will be his meal ticket. I feel that he's the bigger story in Finland right now. Just an interesting player.
There are a couple of good Finnish defensemen playing junior in NA but I've never watched them. People seem to think that Juolevi is likely on the U20 team.
Really strong forward group by Finnish standards if Rantanen is there. Aho, Hintz, Saarela are solid. I hated Kapanen last year but I guess he should be there as well.