Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
I disagree. I am very weary of Finnish players because they always look good in Liga which to me is filled with filler adult players. I think the CHL and the USDP has much tougher matches. I look at all the hyped Fin players recently and what happened. Laine, great release, too lazy for NHL game, bust. Kappo Kakko, 2nd overall, bust. Jesse Puljujärvi, major bust. I don't mind the Flames taking a chance with later picks out of the first round on a guy like Kiviharju but stay away from spending a high pick on one. Too many red flags.
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As a Finn, I completely understand this. But Helenius is so much different from these busts. He's like Anton Lundell with a better offensive upside. Because of his hockey IQ, I think that Helenius is safer pick than Catton/Sennecke. I see Elias Lindholm as the best comparable from the NHL. He's much smarter at his age than any of Laine/Puljujärvi/Kakko, the biggest reason all of those players are busts. But still, I'd rather take Iginla/Dickinson//Buium/Parekh with the 9th overall.
Kiviharju's even smarter, so if the Flames try to get some high end boom/bust talent with the later picks, I'm ok with Kiviharju if it happens with a 2nd/3rd rounder.